DOWN RIVER JOURNEY

The above picture is of Gene, Sonja and the Captain at Clifton, TN marina. We stopped at several marinas during our Tennessee River Cruise but these folks are the best. It is like they have known you all their lives. Sonja stayed open late to cook us her famous Hamburger Steak dinner and Gene shared drinks and many stories with us. It seens that Gene purchased the marina by default when two potential partners backed out and here he is. Sonja and her husband "coach" have been there a few years and let's face it, Sonja runs the place. She even provided us with fresh pears and some cotton plants.

Now Sonja is famous for her signs around the marina. She does not cotton to messy persons or any wasted sympathy. When bands play on weekends, the tip bucket is displayed for all to fill.

Another of Sonja's famous signs leaves nothing to the imagination.

View ..Tennessee River Cruise. in a larger map The above map gives some indication of our marina locations along the cruise. WE have traveled along the river with many wonderful views, sunsets and more than interesting people met along the way. On this return trip we will visit Grand Harbor Marina again and maybe other marinas whick are new to us. Happy Sailing, Adm. Denise, Captn. Barry, Deck hands, Bailey and Bella.

Florence, Alabama Marina

New arrival at the Florcence Marina. We traveled about 6 hrs. her at 7 mph but the view was good with a clear day.

The small community is a strong college town with several historic dwellings available for tour, Frank Lloyd Wright home, Helen Keller Home and a civil war tavern and other historical locations. The Marina is good, although the restaurant was closed. Eva, the harbor master is more than gracious and fun.

We met several more "interesting" characters along this cruise. One of the new acquaintenances is Bruce, more commonly known as "McGee". Bruce is a retired TWA pilot and explained he owns a home in Argentina, raced professional downhill skiing and flew jets in air force. A world traveler and an entertaining person. We hope to see Bruce later in travels as he seems to be every where. We said good bye to Bruce at Florence as he was traveling to Chattanooga then return to home port of Grand Harbor Marina.

The C-Dory boat adjacent to us is such a cute boat. The couple aboard were from Chicago, IL. towing the boat to a location and later returning to pick up the trailer and continue. They are planning a cruise to Chattanooga, TN. before heading home to Chicago, IL. We have seen several C-Dory's in our travels and they seem to be a favorite for the trailerable, cruising boat. Just a bit tight without a shower etc. Alas, Florence, AL. was our turn around point due to time constraints. We cruised downriver from there with some current pushing us up to 8 mph with little work on the 0 Regrets engine and fuel burn. We plan to return to Florence next year on the cruise of the Great Loop, Rendezvous at Joe Wheeler Lake. We just cannot wait to return up the river. Happy Sailing, Adm. Denise, Capt. Barry, Deck hands, Bella and Bailey

Fathers Day Cruise

Not all fathers have the benefit of a deck hand, daughter to cruise the river. My opportunity presented itself when Rebecca returned home for a 2 monthh visit prior to relocating to Hawaii. Yep, the Paradise of the Pacific. She will be attending grad school for about 2 years. The "0 Regrets" was finally named with an official transom sign for all to see as we pass. The name depicts our attitude toward life in these coming years. We plan to cruise all the ports possible finding new friends and experiencing events not many have the opportunity to explore. The name just fits. Singing her way along on the flying bridge. Notice the hint of pink in that short ponytail! Always great to hear that sweet voice. Rebecca and I shoved off at 11 am on Saturday for a 2 night, 3 days cruise to Paris Landing Marina, TN. The Albin Trawler cruises comfortably at 7 mph which resulted in a 6 hr. transit to the Paris landing Marina. Just a beautiful sunny day cruise. Rebecca being the young, 28 yrs, decided she must "beer" me quite ofter during the voyage. She did not anticipate that ann old sailor can handle the Grog. Upon arrival at the marina, we enjoyed meeting up with the Green Turtle Bay Yacht Club group for light snacks and drinks prior to dinner. However, Rebecca and I decided to trip to Meo-Mio's for some country music and adult beverages, Imagine that. The return voyage began at 12:30 pm. after a failed attempt to have Sunday Brunch at the Paris Landing Lodge. It seems they only serve breakfast to 10:am and then lunch later. Of course we presented ourselves at just past 10:am. Well waiting about an hour was ok with coffee and pastries. We anchored in Higgins Bay behind a small island to protect from the wind. The day was great with a few brief showers. However, we were presented with a rainbow.

Pickwick Lake Stop

We are docked at Grand Harbour Marina at Yellow Creek which is the entrance to the Tenn-Tomm Waterway. The Tenn=Tom is the wateway to Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. We arrive here late afternoon 10/3/2012 after about 9 hrs. on the river. Picwick Dam is huge with high volume of water discharge creating a strong current down river. We were cruising at 7 mph. but current slowed us to 4.5 mph. https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=200427680068389478770.0004cb079420c477f01dd&msa=0 We encountered a past acquaintenance at Grand Harbour. I looked across the harbor to another pier and saw a Albin 27 express. The last one I saw was at Paris Landing Marina last September. A tall fellow was at the end of the pier, I hailed him asking for the boat owner and he volunteer it was his boat. "Doc" is the same character we encounted at Paris landing.

The best thing about Doc is his sense of humor. His boat card indicated he was a PHD, hence Doc and his motto is "do not waster poverty". He wolunteered he is always broke living aboard his Albin for the past 2 years. But he is traveling south for the winter aboard the Albin and will continue to unknown locations. We toured the boat and it includes the stern cabine, small galley and a forward cabine with a head. While the boat is small, the living is easy and traveling economically burning only .6 gal. per hour. We finally installed an ensign at the transom making our coast guard registration official. We may fly a UK flag if we can locate and put it

igh on the Mast.

GRAND HARBOR EXTENSION

We have opted to stay one more eveing at Grand Harbor Marina due to cold temps and cloudy, rainy conditions today. We will push up river tomorrow to Florence, AL. marina.
View ..Tennessee River Cruise in a larger map Sailors we meet along the way create our new "characters" we remember along the river. We met yesterday and this AM "McGee". McGee is the nickname of a trawler sailor who has retired young as a commercial pilot for several airlines. He lives aboard a 40 ft. trawler and travels where the water takes him. We may follow him to Florence, AL. tomorrow before our coming about and heading down river to Green Turtle Bay. We do not know exactly where to stop but most likely Clifton, TN. which was fun and I owe Gene, the owner a good drink of Woodford Reserve.

The above boat is a 200 mph fast boat. BUT it ran out of fuel at our dock. It burns high octane gas, meaning Av Gas like a plane. They waited 2 hrs. for a 50 ga. barrell to be delivered to fuel. They finally left hoping to make it back to their dock. Not a fun situations. The boat had 2,700 hr. power.

The above boat is surely unique. The captain said he started at St. Paul, MN. and is heading to the gulf. Now this is a 18 ft. Starcraft boat with a small inboard/outboard, a cutter cabin and only a small inverter for heat/cooking. A long ride with a very small boat. He seemed very happy and was planning to anchor to night at 45 deg. evening with better temps tomorrow. This just proves you can do the loop in about any boat. However, Denise did not volunteer to tag along. I do not know what the ladder on the transom is for. Maybe boarding much LARGER boats. Like all boaters we use a chart writer to guide our way. So, what does a chart look like in a lock. See below:

Lastly, we locked up thru Pickwick Lock and this is the view of our boat in the lock. Just a bit disconcerting knowing you are located inside the chamber with no way out. Only about a 45 ft. lift to the lake. Happy sailing, Admr. Denise, Capn. Barry, Sailors Bailey and Bella.

ALONG THE WINDING RIVER

Our 4th day on this journey has proven to be the best thus far. The day dawned with low fog along the water, 40 plus degrees but the sun was rising over the hills lighting river for a new day. https://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=200427680068389478770.0004cb079420c477f01dd&msa=0&ll=36.469889,-88.077393&spn=2.676855,5.72937

We began our day at Pebble Creek Marina in New Johnsonville, Tn. in light fog but a warm day on the water. We plan to cruise up river to Clifton, TN. on our way to Picwick Lake and Grand Harbor marina. Our cruise today was eventful and a learning experience. The river began with low lands, huge wildlife revervations and changed to limestone bluffs lined to large and small homes. Cyprus trees lined the river linking Kentucky to low lands in Tennessee.

We met numerouse tow boats with large barges in towe. Now, I got a good education listing to these captains on their commercial vhf channel. Of course we found a huge tow boat in our path about 4 miles prior to the stop and Clifton Marina. Now, tow boats cruise at about 4-5 mph. while we cruise at about 7 mph. So, passing a 1,500 ft. tow boat does take a couple of miles. I had to hammer down the "0Regrets" to 8 mph to pass the tow prior to our marina. I know the captainn was amazed at the speed of this trawler. He even moved over so I did not push him out of the river. RIGHT. Due to the patience of this captain, we docked at Clifton Marina being greeted by several new friends helping us dock, cooked our meal and shared a bottle of wine. We cruised 64 miles today which took 8.5 hrs. along a beautiful river. The slow travel permits us to enjoy the river scenes, weather and each other. The dogs even enjoyed the trip, yes they said they did. Tommorow is a full day ending above Pickwik Dam at Grand Harbor marina. We may stay at the marina 2 days to clean boat and just rest up. The journey continues, Happy sailing, Adr. Denise, Captn. Barry, Deck Hands, Bella and Bailey

"Three Hour Tour"

Yes this is the three hour tour of the 0 Regrets! We shoved off Sunday 09/30/2012 from Green Turtle Bay our home port for a 2 week cruise on the great Tennessee River. We do not know our return point, just floating UP the river in our trawler, seeing what we can see. Although we have cruised and anchored many evenings on Kentucky Lake, this will be our furthest watery adventure to date. Who knows, I may be in the "dingy" before the return if Denise cannot take anymore of the Captain Barry.

Our first leg of the journey was a day early, so we anchored in Panther Creek for the evening anticipating heavy rain thru the night and on Monday. We did experience some temporary anchor problem but held us thru the night and did retrieve in the morning. The moring dawned with rain, fog and light wind. Now this was decision time. We have been experiencing some fuel contamination causing the engine to die. Fortunately the engine does restart but the "warm and fuzzy" feeling does not endure.

Our view late today, October 1, 2012, from Paris Landing Marina to the breakwater. The bridge is out there somewhere. Hopefully, not as fogged in tomorrow. We do have radar but those big tow boats prowl these waters.

We decided to call our mechanic (on retainer) and he is meeting us at Paris Landing Marina Tuesday AM. Hopefully this will solve or relieve the problem. We may have to row our way to the next stop but Admiral Denise indicated she was game. I did not tell the dogs! Professional photography is provided in part by "0 Regrets" traveling expert, Ms. Denise Young. I am sure National Geographic or the Tattler will pick up this story and photos. On board technician, Admiral Denise, managed to power up Direct TV so we can continue to have our fill of the political season(4 yrs old) while cruising. Now one may wonder what are Captn. Barry's duties on the cruise. Well, many. I navigate, drive the trawler (with direction), walk our Sailors and pick up the poop, take out the trash, grill food, and any other details found in need by the Admiral. Fair skies, gentle breezes and following seas, Capt. Barry, Admiral Denise, Sailors Bella and Bailey.