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