Tennessee River Run Swallow Bluff Island and Panther Creek

October 29 - October 31, 2016

We left our quiet anchorage at Denson Island around 8:00 am, in 51 degree temps with fog. The forecast called for another 80 degree day. Mucho Gusto is still behind us but should catch up before the end of the day. At 10:30 we got our first glimpse of them on a long straightaway. They slipped back out of sight on each turn. I tried to text Rhonda but couldn't get open internet service. When we passed little towns with WIFI, I quickly try to connect to any open network available. Finally at 2:00 I capture one for just enough time to send a message, letting them know we will be anchoring at Swallow Bluff Island. By the time we got to the anchorage, Mucho Gusto is moving along behind us, our Buddy Boat once again.

We anchored Mystic first and Mucho Gusto rafted up to us. It was so good to have them back! The sun set as we sipped docktales and caught up on the trip down the Tennessee. We were anchored right behind the Island and lucky to see the goats grazing on the shoreline. There were signs everywhere warning us not to come ashore but it was great fun watching the two adults and two cute kids. A huge custom Trawler named Vector came from the South and anchored behind us. In the morning we will head for Pickwick Lake, another milestone in our journey. Tomorrow is Halloween!

Swallow Bluff Island Goats

Vector

Scott capturing the sunset at Swallow Bluff Island

Beth & Rhonda aboard Mucho Gusto

Sunset at Swallow Bluff Island

We raised our anchor at Swallow Bluff Island and headed south as the sun rose above the horizon. It is a beautiful morning, the temperature is 59 degrees with ground fog adding just a bit of chill to the air.

Sunrise at Swallow Bluff Island

Mucho Gusto is in the lead. We made our way down the waterway, passing homes that sit high on the bluffs. A gentleman sipping coffee on his deck waved to us; we smiled and waved back. As we moved south, the air is filled with a sweet smell, much like a spring morning back home in Minnesota. The last three days have been perfect, easy and enjoyable.

Mucho Gusto

Views Along the Tennessee River

After about 26 miles of moving along the Tennessee, Dave calls to me, pointing at the shore. My first glance through the binoculars gave me the impression we were looking at deer but as we got closer, there was no question we were looking at a pair of coyote. I got several photos of them, calling to them to get their attention. They are beautiful! They scavenge along the river bed looking for food and a cool drink. How lucky we are to see this magnificent animal in it's own environment.

We have to pass through the Pickwick Lock and Dam to anchor for the night. We planned to anchor at Yellow Creek, just across from the entry to the Tenn-Tom but the wind is out of the south making this unfavorable. Scott asks if we'd like to join them at another anchorage called Panther Creek, three miles south toward Decatur. This will be our last evening with the Joiners. Without a doubt, we wanted to spend this night enjoying their company one more time. They are heading to Decatur to visit their son and we are headed down the Tenn-Tom toward the Tombigbee. When we got to the Pickwick Lock, we had to wait about a half hour to lock through. A cigarette boat zoomed by us as we crossed into Pickwick Lake. We dodged his huge wake while looking up at the amazing homes on the cliffs lining the Alabama side of the waterway. The Mississippi side reminds us of the Apostle Islands. The Alabama side of the New England lakes. The water is a cool green, not clear but much cleaner than the Mississippi.

Pickwick Locks and Dam

Pickwick Lake Mansion

Pickwick Lake Mansion
swimming pool with glass wall facing lake

Mucho Gusto led us into Panther Creek. Once we were settled, we gathered for docktales and to share the gorgeous evening together. We watched as hundreds of minnows swam in tight circles. Suddenly a larger fish would break into the rhythm, causing the minnows to scatter and jump in the air. We tried to stay quiet as we watched but ended up laughing hysterically at the display.

Watching Minnows

Rhonda & Scott Joiner aboard Mystic at Panther Bay

As everyone headed below for the night, I took a moment to lay back in the cockpit, my eyes resting on the milky way floating above Mystic. Suddenly, a shooting star dashed across the sky in slow motion, then fizzled like a firework. I felt so small but also so important in my role as an observer in this amazing universe.

Mystic & Mucho Gusto rafted at Panther Bay

The coyotes woke me in the middle of the night with their howls. I fell back to sleep envisioning them running along that beach.

The Tennessee River Run Panther Bay and Denson Island

October 28, 2016 - October 29, 2016

We said goodbye to our friends at Green Turtle Bay. Mucho Gusto left a few hours before us. We are sad to see our buddy boat leave but excited to get onto the Tennessee River. We are looking forward to experiencing the Land Between the Lakes and Pickwick Lake. We shoved off at 11:45. It is a beautiful day with temps in the 70’s. We’ve been having excellent weather, at least 20 degrees warmer than average. We left the dock late today but Dave wants to go as far as we can. He finds a nice anchorage about 40 miles away called Panther Bay. When we pass Ginger Bay we see Mucho Gusto anchored there. This is 10 miles short of our anchorage. As we motored by, Dave got a text from Scott telling us where they were. Instead of joining them, we decide to stick to plan A and move on to Panther Bay.

Mucho Gusto anchored at Ginger Bay

Sunset on Panther Bay

Sunset on Panther Bay

The Kentucky Lakes area is beautiful. Lots of bass boats fly by us at lightening speed, hovering on the top of the water but leaving little to no wake as they pass. When we pass under the State Highway 79 bridge we enter Tennessee. There is an abandoned dock just south of the Louisville and Nashville Rail bridge at Danville Landing. It is a ruin of sorts, with only the frame of the structure remaining about 30 feet off the water. As we passed, Dave noticed someone inside. Intrigued, I took photos. We could see a tent, gear and a boat tethered on the back side of the structure and realize that this is someone’s home.

We arrived at our anchorage around 5:00. Panther Bay is quiet and secluded; a little piece of paradise. We had dinner in the cockpit and watched a gorgeous sunset, then gazed at the star filled sky. The coyotes started at their usual time, right before dark, but kept up their haunting calls much longer than usual.

We were up at 5:30 to the sound of fish jumping and herons squawking. A half dozen fisherman are already in our little bay, perched on their high chairs, pointing outward with their rods, silent but at full attention. This is a obviously a popular fishing spot.  Our next stop is Cuba Landing, Tennessee. We are out of cell phone service once again and out of touch. At times, as we pass little towns and pick up a signal. If we are lucky, messages from family and friends sneak through.

When we got to Cuba Landing we could see that the entrance is very small. Dave called to ask about depths and is informed that the channel is eight feet deep. We had hoped to anchor in the bay just past the marina but we agreed it just looked too shallow. We decided to move on to Denson Island eight miles south. I got a message from Rhonda asking about conditions at Cuba Landing. They are only four miles behind us. I was able to text her back the information we had. We decided to continue south for what we believed to be a safer anchorage for us. Mucho Gusto stopped at Cuba Landing but had to tie up at the marina. The bay was, in fact, very shallow.

We arrived at Denson Island before sunset and slipped behind the island, following the recommendations of Active Captain. There are three fishing boats already there, the fishermen had their hooks in the water, chatting softly. Their voices echoed against the shore. We heard the faint call of the coyotes then the squawk of a bird in obvious distress. Dave thought it was some kind of hawk. It sat above Mystic and let out a screech about every 45 seconds. The mournful sad cry went on all night long. The stars began to shine in the sky like water sparkling in the sunlight; first very faintly then brighter as the sky darkened. 

Today we traveled 65 miles in 10 hours. Our trip took us through scenic areas of the Tennessee that remind us of the St. Croix River, New England and even Colorado. It is beautiful and peaceful here.

Morning at Denson Island

Denson Island Sunrise Reflection

It is Sunday, October 30, eight weeks since we departed from Knife River Marina. It seems like we've been traveling so much longer. The squawking hawk is still with us in the morning. Fog has rolled in so we decided to wait for it to burn off. This would give Mucho Gusto an hour to catch up.

Views along the Tennessee

Under Tow

Chillin' in the breeze

Sea Cow

Flock of Pelicans

Canadian Sailboat

Cypress Trees standing on their roots

Power Plant Spillway

Kayakers on the Tennessee River

Light house on the Tennessee River