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

Still dreaming

Well alot was going on in 2012 so thins got postponed. We did take a cruise in early 2013, but on a cruise ship. Visited Australia and New Zealand which we have always wanted to do, but no way we were taking "Simplicity" across the waters:)
In April our Oldest son got married and now we are settled back planning our next boat trip for next spring.

Planning new trip for 2012 or 13

Getting the itch again and getting older:(  Alan and I have started to plan a boat trip along the east coast and Maine. We haven't decided as to when we will start this until after Alan has his knee checked out. Has really been giving him some pain and the boat will aggravate it right now. Not giving up though.