Grand Harbor Marina - Counce, TN


An early morning departure of 8 boats from Clifton left plenty of space for the next group. We have been traveling with Misty Pearl for 4 months and today marks our last cruise together.  Even though we have known this for a while there were still lots of emotions going on.  It is very difficult to find a compatible boat and crew to travel with on this journey since there are so many daily decisions to make but our personalities just meshed and we will miss them greatly.


Heading up the Tennessee this morning.


As you can see we were still fighting a 1-2 knot current. We stayed in Clifton a little longer than planned because a.) we enjoyed being there but b.) it allowed the huge amounts of water being let out of the dam upstream due to flooding near Chattanooga to pass by and settle down.


Although I am only rolling up the back eisenglass I look like I am doing a jig!!



I guess that's a Tennessee mansion.


I guess I did such a good job the other day that I got to drive again today. Yes, that's a barge I'm navigating around.


The day was going so well until we got to the Pickwick Lock, the only lock of the day, and we had a 3 hour wait.  11 boats had to go in the auxillary lock and tie up and wait.  Two barges took priority in front of us!! They have a large lock for the barges and an auxillary one for pleasure craft so why are we waiting in it, we should be going through it!  Just more frustration and very hot temperatures while we waited.

The best thing about our wait was this photo of Second Wave side tied to Misty Pearl for our last lock together. We have traversed over 100 locks together.


Coming out of the Pickwick lock at 5:45 with just enough daylight to get to the marina by sunset.




Grand Harbor is another marina where many Loopers stay for a while and rest.  Many are here waiting for the fall Rendezvous which begins Oct. 15th.  From this marina it is 2 travel days to Rogersville, AL for the Rendezvous.






Here is Viridian (George and Meg Sanders) that we spent 6 weeks traveling with back in May/June.  They crossed their wake in Grand Harbor a week ago and have cleared everything off the boat, returned to Huntsville, AL where they are from, and are selling the boat.



One last meal, and we have shared many, with Doug and Dana.  The marina had these cute swing tables right by our boats so we took advantage of them.  Tomorrow we enter the Tenn Tom Waterway and Misty Pearl continues on the Tennessee River towards Rogersville.  Doug's brother and sister in law have joined them and when they get to Rogersville they will drive them to Chattanooga.  They live there and Doug was born there.  The boat will wait in Rogersville for the Rendezvous.  Tons of great memories were made. Thanks for sharing your Loop with us, Doug and Dana Belknap!!




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