Had a great time in Chattanooga. We stayed there for 3 nights on the Bluff Dock, right downtown next to the Aquarium and within walking distance to many restaurants and shops. We rented a car for 2 days. The first day we drove to Lynchburg, TN and toured the Jack Daniels Distillery. We did the “Flight of Jack” tour which consisted of a tour of the distillery operations along with a sampling of 6 different whiskeys at the end of the tour. Very tasty!!!! The next day we met up with Don and Rachel from Beyond, and toured Ruby Falls and Rock City on Lookout Mountain. Ruby Falls is the tallest and deepest underground waterfall open to the public in the United States – it’s a 145 foot tall waterfall that is over 1,000 feet underground in Lookout Mountain. It was definitely a sight to see. We next toured Rock City on top of Lookout Mountain. Rock City is a true marvel of nature featuring massive ancient rock formations, gardens with over 400 native plant species and breathtaking “See 7 States “ panoramic views. It was a very interesting and unique place. We enjoyed our walk through it and the views it provided over Chattanooga and the 7 states. We also enjoyed some nice walks in the City. Didn’t make it to the Aquarium, but heard it was a very nice one. On Thursday, 10/27 we left Chattanooga and made our way back down the Tennessee River….almost 250 miles. It was an easy ride, tied up to a free dock on Shellmound Recreational Area for 1 night, and spent 4 nights in marinas (Goose Pond – one of our favorites, Joe Wheeler, and Florence). We are currently at Safe Harbor Aqua Yachts, in Iuka, MS for at least 8 nights. We had the boat pulled out and had our shafts checked and our props sent to a prop shop to be reconditioned….we hit “something” on the Illinois River. We are also having a few other things done as well as an oil change by “Diesel Don” (who, oddly enough, we met the night we spent in Shellmound!). It’s nice to take a break. Robin’s a little homesick so she’s heading back to Traverse City for a few days. We really liked boating on the Tennessee River….lots of marinas and anchorages to visit, not as rough as Lake Michigan can get in windy weather, and beautiful fall scenery. We hope to come back someday and make the trip all the way up the river to Knoxville and the Little Tennessee river up to Tellico Lake at the base of the Smokey Mountains. Our next adventure: a 450 mile trip down the Tenn-Tom (Tennessee-Tombigbee) Waterway in northern Mississippi and Alabama to Mobile, Alabama. We will lock down 341 feet thru 12 locks over approximately a week. We’re getting closer to salt water all the time!
Jack Daniels Tour
Distillery - where they burn sugar maple pallets to produce charcoal to filter the whiskey before it gets put into barrels
Distillery operations
3 main ingredients of whiskey - 80% corn, 12% barley and 8% rye....and just add fresh cave spring water. The whiskey is aged at least 4 years in new charred American Oak Barrels made by the distillery.
Picture with Jack Daniels!
Pinky Up John......
The Flight of Jack tasting
Ruby Falls - 145 feet
The falls with Don and Rachel from "Beyond" - 27 foot ranger tug
Rock City trail between huge bolders
Photo opp.....
You can see 7 different states on a good day!
Another photo opp.....
The falls at Lovers Leap lookout. The colors were beautiful.
Grand puppies Willow and Leland "seriously" miss us!
Chattanooga river front showing the Aquarium. Moonshadow II was parked on the left near the bridge.
Hales Bar - use to be a hydroelectric dam that operated from 1913 thru 1967
"American Countess" heading up the Tennessee River - cruise ship of the rivers
Parked at free dock at Shellmound Recreational Area
Auto-pilot is driving so we could capture this shot!
Beautiful scenery heading downriver
Spent 2 nights at Joe Wheeler State Park Marina
John finally found some loopers to play euchre with. We all tied up at Steenson Marina for a few hours while waiting for the Wilson Lock.
More river scenery!
Looking up a 100 foot lock! Like our Starlink? Its working very well!
Loved reading about your Chattanooga tour! My Dad was a huge Jack Daniels fan and several of my brothers have toured the facility. I'll have to add that, Ruby Falls and LookOut Mountain to my list! Saw signs for it SO many times while driving south to Florida! What a grand adventure you are on! Thank you for sharing!! So glad that you can get your home fix <3