Sept 28 Aqua Marina


(mm 215 – this is where the Tenn-Tom joins the Tennessee River to continue on to Mobile)

While docked at the marina, and since we were not far away, we took the time to visit Shiloh National Military Park located on 4000 acres, the location of the Civil War’s first major battle in the western theatre. The battle was fought April 6-7, 1862 and more than 103,000 Union and Confederate soldiers were involved. 23,000 men died on these grounds by the end of the 2 day battle. It was a very moving and enlightening day.

Sept 29



Wilson Lock - 93 foot lift



We cancelled our trip to visit Graceland, and sadly started out alone to continue on to Chattanooga. We are very sad that Blue Max IV (Luc and Jocelyne) is not travelling with us; we have been together since mid-June and we surely miss them. Hopefully, we will be able to meet up with them on our way to Mobile.

After leaving Aqua Marina, we travelled 45 miles to Wilson Lock, once the world’s highest single lift lock at 93 feet now ranking 6th in the U.S. We passed through this lock alone and felt like an ant. A whole lot of water had to enter in order to raise us up to the top. We continued on for a short while and anchored in another beautiful creek (Six Mile Creek – mm 266) surrounded by trees and hills with private homes built up high.

Sept 30




Richard out fishing for supper

 

We anchored at Second Creek (mm 275), located a half a mile from the Wheeler Lock (48 foot lift), and near a farm as the cattle were drinking from the creek not far from where we were. Richard went fishing for our dinner. We met Alvin and Gerald who showed us there catch for their church fish fry – a tub of fresh water catfish. They gave Richard the remainder of their bait when they left. So, off in the dingy to fish he went!

Later, we enjoyed a delicious bass dinner, thanks to another wonderful boating couple, Will and Laura Stoner, who were out just for the pleasure of fishing and normally release their catch. This time, however, they gave us the 3 bass they had caught and, after cleaning and cooking them on the grill, we shared them with Recovery Room who had just caught up with us.


 

Will and Laura Stoner
thank you for a delicious bass dinner