Swallow Bluff Island … has goats

Day 175 … Thurs, Oct 12, 2017 … 43.6 miles; 5:30 hours
Densons Island to Swallow Bluff Island
Very overcast and cool this morning. Below is the anchorage we left this am; Scott Free is still there.

Scenes along the way today …

What do you think it took to create this beach volley ball site?? And, why??

Often, one side of the river is granite/rock cliffs

While the other side is low; here with a home made boat ramp for locals

Often there was a “town” comprised of camper sites.

Big tall sheds where you pull the RV or camper under to protect from heat & sun. Many have beaches or floating docks

Wildlife along the way today …


Our anchorage for tonight … another island we ducked behind to separate us from the river traffic.

Below, Cally’s little island for shore dooty is left. the big island to the right has goats on it!!

There is a terrific beach FINALLY!!!! Cally gets to go off leash and run to her hearts content. Well, she gets to run on the small island. The big island has GOATS. We saw 3 as we entered, but haven’t seen any along the shoreline by the boat to take pics of, yet.

Denson Island anchorage

Day 174 … Wed, Oct 11, 2017 … 37 miles; 5 hours

Richland Creek to Denson Island

Another dreary, overcast day. However, it was cool, almost cold. Dramatic difference in temperature. With the fly bridge enclosure acting like a solarium, even with overcast skies we were comfy. Ok, I had a sweatshirt on and flannel lined jeans on, but I was comfy.

We passed two commercial vessels today; a cargo ship (Rip later read that this ship had taken out a bridge a few years ago) and a tow. Otherwise, just lots and lots of small fishing boats. otherwise, a boring day.

We are on the Kentucky Lake section of the Tennessee River. It is supposed to be stunning, especially vivid with fall color. Dreary days have not shown us the beauty we have read about. I also doubt there will be as much color this year with the drought in the area. Hope I am wrong; we have some nice days coming up.

Tonight, we ducked behind an island to protect us from wakes of the fishing boats and tows. It also gives us a place to land Cally for shore dooty on the island side. The mainland side is pretty with handsome houses, a clubhouse and pretty woodlands.

Below is a pic of what looks to be a tiny Club … Handsome clubhouse and beautiful commercial pool plus boat house around the corner. It’s for sale … anyone interested??

Clouds parted after we anchored. Cally went to shore and not long after, Scott Free came in for the night. They were at the same spot as us last night.

Rainy Day to Richland Creek

Day 173 … Tues, Oct 9, 2017 … 46.83 miles; 6 hours

Ledbetter Creek, KY to Richland Creek, TN

Rain today. We also entered Tennessee today … at some point, not sure where.

Seems we just kept driving into the edge of the rain all day.

This was the view forward … storm clouds and rain on again, off again.

This was the view aft, less than a minute later; brightening skies.

At times we were in rain and the starboard shore was dry and in sunshine.

Bridge to no where

Not sure why this section is still standing

Old building, not far off the bridge to no where. Others say there was a swing section of the bridge that went over to this building which took in loads of grain.

Skies did finally break overhead and clear up. Of course that meant heat and humidity. We didn’t feel like running the generator to have AC, so dealt with the heat.

Views of the anchorage tonight

One other Looper boat, Scott Free is here also.

We planned on this anchorage because of the store here. When we took Cally to shore, we tied up to the floating store, but found it closed. A very nice gentleman was fishing on the bank with his grandson. we talked as I walked Cally around. I mentioned we had hoped the store was open so we could get ice cream on such a hot day. He, Scooter, headed off with his grandson and came back in minutes with 2 Nutty Buddy-style ice cream cones for us!!! He is a retired cop who worked with bomb sniffing dogs. Quite the character. Wish we could have spent more time with him. as we parted,we asked if he thought it was ok to come back again later for more shore dooty; he said it was fine and if anyone said anything … “Tell them Scooter said it was ok”.

Beautiful sunset tonight … though we can see lightening in the distance and thunder storms are in the forecast overnight in the area.

Foggy Start Leaving Green Turtle Bay

Day 172 … Mon, Oct 9, 2017 … 21.94 miles; 2:45 hours

We went to the local “Yacht Club” at GTB last night with Sonny from Cork Screw. Phyllis had taken a rental car to Nashville to play with the grand kids. Sonny and Phyllis were the FIRST Loopers we met … way back at Bohemia Bay at the Chesapeake end of the C&D Canal on the Chesapeake Bay. Dinner wasn’t great; matter fact probably the least enjoyable we have had to date – BUT, Sonny is a hoot and great company. Despite the food (and spider on the bread basket); we had a great time.

We do not have far to go today, so waiting for the fog to lift did not alter our plans. Rip took the time to dinghy over to the ships store, instead of walking, to check for running lights for the dinghy (ours are not working properly and consistently) and to top of the gas tank at the fuel dock.

Once underway, we were quickly off Barkley Lake an on the Kentucky Lake via the Barkley Canal.

The land between the lakes is all park land. Most of our anchorages from here to the end of Kentucky Lake will be on the park side. The first one, tonight, will be on the opposite shore. Ledbetter Creek, only 20 miles from Green Turtle Bay.

The clouds started to clear as we entered the canal, which only served to warm things up.

There was supposed to be a boat ramp, but we couldn't find one. There was lots of shoreline for Cally. Unfortunately the rocks at the shore are sharp, not rounded, so Cally is cautious walking. No running on this "beach". She did get to swim and cool off.

Though many boats left GTB this am, we traveled alone. Most are going to the AGLCA Fall Rendezvous and traveling further per day they we like to go. Others are faster boats or boats without dog's that can travel longer per day. We will catch up with them later. But for tonight, this is peaceful and quiet. Probably going to get really dark! Nothing but woods around us.

Scenes along the way today …