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

Bumps in the road, I mean river!

Leaving Ditto Landing Marina

  The question we get asked constantly these days is: "When is your boat coming home?"  Good question!  Delays for various reasons have kept us from bringing her home promptly - David works in NY each week, Thomas is back in traditional school, family obligations, and, of course, repairs!   Our cursing adventures were not without a few bumps in the river/ICW.  Recently, our boat has been sitting in Huntsville, AL due to a broken transmission caused when we grounded on an unmarked sand bar on the ICW near Panama City, FL (in December).  At the time, TowBoatUS, after waiting for the incoming tide, was able to get us off the shoal.  Once freed, the starboard engine would not start back up, and we cruised into Panama City Marina on one engine in the dark (a very exciting evening!).  Fortunately, the next morning, it started right up, and we were on our way.  At the time, we must have fractured the input shaft to the transmission, because 7 cruising days later, it broke and the starboard engine would not go into gear.  The guys were 10 miles from Ditto Landing Marina on the TN River, so they cruised in on the port engine, and we called the infamous Diesel Don to check out the engine.  It took a little time, but he was able to get the parts and get her put back together. YEAH!   So, after 5 weeks in Huntsville, Holly Goodhead was ready to cruise again!
   Last night, we drove down to Huntsville, and this morning, the guys got underway for a slow, gentle cruise up the TN River.  After taking 2.5 hours to get through Guntersville Lock, they made it to Goose Pond Landing by 3p CST.  We will have a relaxing evening and they will set off again in the early morning to continue further up the TN River.

Start: TN River mile marker 334         End: TN River mile marker 378
Miles traveled today:  44  (nm)       Total Locks:  1
Total miles traveled:  3,197

Days cruising:    46

Dinner at The Dock @ Goose Pond