Birthdays!! and Camp Nana

Happy Birthday, Nana & Matthew!!

   July is a time of birthdays for us.  Nana & Matthew share a birthday, so we all celebrated this weekend in Asheville with pizza dinner at Brixx and presents & homemade birthday cookies at home.  Matthew has been enjoying his summer at Nana's by swimming, bicycling, and watching Shark Week!    The brothers have been separated for 3 weeks and really missed each other.

Meanwhile, Thomas just finished his 6-week job at Boy Scout camp and will spend the coming week resting, sleeping, and taking hot baths at Nana's before we return home for 2 weeks at Marching Band Camp (then school starts).

Our big birthday boy!! 

Brothers missed each other! 

Scout Camp wore Thomas out!!

Matthew's summer of fun!

Matthew ready for soccer camp

   While Thomas is working at Boy Scout Camp, Matthew is having some fun of his own.  He will enjoy a few day-camps this summer.  He started out attending a S.T.E.M. camp in Lenoir City with his buddy Steve.  They had a great time learning about science, sports, and went swimming.  We traveled to Atlanta to visit with family and had fun playing with his cousins.  He will spend some time with Nana and attend soccer camp for a week.  He is also enjoying having his Lego Room back on our boat and has spent hours building cool stuff!!

Ninja Matthew! 

Diving board - swimming with cousins 

Happy Father's Day!!

   After a delicious homemade dinner & movie last night, bagels & presents for breakfast this morning, David & Thomas will spend the rest of Father's Day at Boy Scout camp today.  David will be helping our Troop this week at camp.
Best wishes to all the dads out there! !

Teenager's first job

Thomas in living quarters

   Our boat has been docked in its' home port for almost 2 weeks now.  We are enjoying having our Home home!  Meanwhile, school is out and it looks to be a busy summer.  The first part of the summer, Thomas will have his first real job!  He is working at the local Boy Scout camp for 6 weeks.  He has attended the camp the past 3 years as a camper, and this year, he will be working in the Trading Post, while living in the Staff quarters.  He is very exciting, and truly enjoying his more grown-up status as Staff at camp.

Thomas' home for 6 weeks 

Staff cabins 

View of the camp from the lake

HOME!!

Home - safe & sound

  After M/V Holly Goodhead being gone for 17 months, she finally returned to her homeport in Lenoir City, TN on Saturday, May 30 at 12:39pm!  David & Matthew got up early in the morning to start the last 60 miles & 1 lock home.  The weather was gorgeous and the river was calm.  Our friends at FLM were happy to see us and her return, and we toasted with champagne to celebrate.

Sunrise on the TN River

Cruising into Ft Loudon Marina

Holly Goodhead back in her slip 

Spring City, TN

Chattanooga waterfront at sunrise

   We awoke to a beautiful morning, and the guys cast off the lines just as the sun was coming up.  They had a calm, early start before all the holiday traffic joined them.  They got through Chickamauga Lock with no problems or delays, but had to wait 2 hours before entering Watts Bar Lock.  Therefore, they decided to stop the day's journey in Spring City, TN.  The boat is almost home.  One more cruising day and she will be back in her regular slip.

Start: TN River mile marker 463         End: TN River mile marker 544
Miles traveled today:       81                Total Locks:  2
Total miles traveled:  3,363

Days cruising:    48

The Dock's Shrimp & Grits 

The Dock's Bread Pudding with rum sauce!

Chattanooga, TN!

   We hope everyone is enjoying the beautiful Memorial Day weekend.  My boys left our early this morning from Scottsboro, AL (teenager was still sleeping, but he sleeps through anything - even loud diesel engines & generator starting!).  They had a leisurely cruise and made good time, but got delayed at Nickajack Lock.  Since it was still early in the afternoon, they decided to continue on to Chattanooga.  

Start: TN River mile marker 378         End: TN River mile marker 463
Miles traveled today:  85  (nm)            Total Locks:  1
Total miles traveled:  3,282

Days cruising:    47