Fort Loudon

We made a stop by the Fort and they were having a reenactment that weekend. It was very interesting and they provided really nice boat docks for the boating traffic to visit the fort. After the fort visit we cruised on down to Hamilton island very near the famous 129 Harley Davidson dealership. We set anchor for the night, but as the evening came on the winds were getting stronger and our anchor didn't seem to be holding. It was a rock bottom and we knew it was really suppose to blow that night. We made a decision to pull anchor and head back to the Fort's boat docks for the night. We made it in just about dark and tied up. :)

Fort Loudon Dock

Fort Loudon

Alan at Fort Loudon

Simplicity at Fort Loudon

Standing guard at gate

Raiding the cookie jar:)

What was that?

First night anchorage on Little Tennessee River on Baker Creek.

We left Fort Loudon marina and started our way up river on the Little Tennessee river. Decided to anchor for the night on Baker Creek which was a nice cove and away from all the football boat traffic on Saturday.

Layover at Fort Loudon Marina two days and Laundry day!

We arrived at Fort Loudon marina Wednesday afternoon, fueled up and decided to stay two nights and catchup on laundry, get provisions and GOOD showers. We rented a car for Thursday and drove up to Knoxville to visit one of our favorite places, COSTCO!! Can't beat the hotdog combo deal:)
The showers at this marina are top notch and good water pressure as is the laundry facilities. We left on Friday morning headed to the Little Tennessee River and Lake Tellico.

Knoxville...Pre Vol vs gator game:)

We made it to Knoxville and tied up to City dock to check out downtown and ate at Calhoun's in Knoxville. We found out that the weekend coming up was the Tenn/Fla game and you could see by the houseboats already tying up to dock and rafting it was a BIG game. We decided to go ahead and start heading back downriver towards Fort Loudon to avoid all the BOAT traffic that would be on the river the upcoming weekend.

Locking through Fort Loudon Dam and Lock

We cruised from Wolf Creek anchorage , locked through and anchored at Ish Creek for the night on the Tennessee River. Locking through was somewhat of a pain only because there was a barge locking through and seem to be having some trouble coming out of the locks, which was delaying boaters. Finally after four hours we scooted behind the barge(as per lockmaster's instructions) and were able to lock through going up river. We had about an hour daylight left to make it to Ish creek so we did and dropped the hook. Beautiful night and quiet anchorage.

Anchorage at Wolf Creek off the Tennessee River headed towards ort Loudon

 Left Blue Springs Marina Monday Morning and headed towards Knoxville. Set anchor in Wolf Creek along the way which was a beautiful spot and QUIET! Loved it and great paddling area too for those who like to paddle or fish.

Cypress tree growing in rock

Our Tennesse trip begins😃

Blue Springs Marina Restaurant

We left home with  the boat  early Sunday morning (5am) in order to get through Atlanta without any hassles. We arrived at Blue Springs marina on watts bar lake just off the Tennessee river where we launched. After launching, parking trailer and securing the boat in overnight spot we went shopping to get last minute groceries. Had dinner at the local restaurant at marina then turned in for the night ready to hit the river.

Snug in her dock space at Blue Springs Marina on Watts Bar Lake