10/02 - 10/06 - “Meet in the Middle” C-Brat Gathering

[colbysmith]

You're welcome Rob. Hope I'm not boring anyone yet. And I'm not real pleased with my iphone's photos due to the cover causing fuzziness due to scratches in the protective window over the lens.... Anyway, today we cruised about 38 miles to Nashville. Numerous tows on the water today. Passed a few, went around a few, and even got overtaken by one. (We're running 5 kts, he was running 6 kts.) Lots to see today. But the most excitement for me, and bummed I didn't have the camera ready, was watching a new barge being launched in Ashland City. We had already passed the facility when Bill noticed what appeared to be a safety meeting going on. (Guys in hard hats huddled up.) He then noticed a tug moving towards the facility. There had been a barge sitting up on the bank on tracks leading into the water. I decided to turn around and go back to see if the barge was to be launched. Before I could get there, I saw it slide down the bank and splash into the water. The tug came in behind it, tied on, and took it away. Other than that, lots of river barge industry to see as we neared Nashville. We left Mike and Christy on Little Joe in Nashville. The Riverfront dock is by reservations through Dockwa. They decided to make reservations so they could get the code to the gate padlock, while Bill and I decided to press on. (Little Joe will be turning around tomorrow to head back. Nashville was their destination for this trip.) Tonight Mystery Girl and I are on the old lock wall at mile 201. Think of being in a lock, at the bottom of the lift. We were able to get tied to the bits in the wall, but shore side will not be accessible unless we scale the 10 feet of wall above us! A few of today's photos: Colby


This was the barge that was launched


Tug waiting to catch it.


And off it goes...


This was the tow that overtook us. Later he stopped mid channel (he called and notified us) to pick up two more barges. There was another tug that pushed them in to the front.


You never know what you'll see along the shore...This was on what appeared to be a small private launch ramp.


Little Joe going past some barge facility.


Mystery Girl going past a tug putting barges together.


Mystery Girl coming into Nashville. Notice the "Bat wing" towers. Apparently this building was filmed in one of the Batman movies.


Mystery Girl, C-Traveler and Little Joe on the Nashville Riverfront dock.


Mike captured this photo while walking across the bridge to downtown.


One more


Mystery Girl passing by General Jackson

[JohnnyD]

Float back to Prizer's from Patti's 1880 Settlement

https://u.pcloud.link/publink/show?code=XZThXiVZ2RL6j1wUhJ5dmDPuTjeh7LpDBWEk

[ssobol]

[colbysmith]

Had one tow go by us last night, leaving a little wake, but we still did ok on the old lock wall at mile 201. I measured it this morning. We still had 12 feet of wall above our roofs. And even if we wanted to scale it to get on shore, there was a fence at the edge. Anyway, a doable stopover for the night. Something I've noticed is that there is a pretty good fluctuation of water levels on the Cumberland River upstream of Cheatham Lock. Last night I believe the water level dropped a little over a foot, then came back up this morning most of the way.... That same tow that went past us must have stopped somewhere later, as he was an hour ahead of us when we left in the morning. Today we experienced the strongest current along the Cumberland River, about 1.5 kts. Maybe 2. We assumed it was from the Old Hickory lock releasing water. We also ran slow and remained behind that tow, then waited just shy of two hours while it went through the lock ahead of us. He was a double lockage. (IE, couldn't fit his entire tow through the lock.) Seems to me these locks are shorter than others I've been in. Also made reservations for locking through Cordell Hull later this week. Probably no commercial barge traffic so it has very limited hours, requiring a call by noon the day before. Speaking with the lock tender at Old Hickory, he suggested I call today as the guy is a hard to get a hold of. Got him at the second number, and his days off are Friday and Saturday, so he has to put in for overtime, thus our reserved time is pretty important to make. This evening Bill and I are anchored on one of the many coves on Old Hickory Lake. Colby


Looking upriver on the old lock wall at mile 201


Looking downriver


Mystery Girl floating while waiting for the tug to enter Old Hickory lock ahead of us.


Once the tug entered the lock, we held on the approach wall. Here Bill is on the starboard side, while I'm on the port side.



Bill waiting for the lock to begin filling.


Bill taking my picture while I take his.


just another photo of us in the lock.


Sunset on Mystery Girl this evening in one of the many coves here on Old Hickory Lake.

[colbysmith]

Few photos to upload tonight. We had a peaceful night anchored in one of the Old Hickory Lake Coves. This evening we are in Cedar Creek near mile 264. Earlier today we stopped at Cedar Creek Marina at mile 233 to put on some more fuel. (Different creeks) Saw a number of fishing boats today, and a few cruisers. We passed what will probably be the last of barges as we head upstream, at the Gallatin Steam Plant. I stopped abeam the barge facility there for a bit to watch them unload a coal barge and the small work tug push an empty out of the way and a full into position. They use a large crane bucket to unload the barge. (The tow that passed us the other night while we were on the old lock wall and that we had to wait for at the Old Hickory Lock, was taking coal barges up to the Gallatin Steam Plant.) Colby


Another photo of C-Traveler in the Old Hickory Lock as the gate was being closed behind us.


Unloading coal at the Gallatin Steam Plant




Goodnight

[kevinnuckles@icloud.com]

What brand is Mystery Girl. Looks modern and comfortable.

[kevinnuckles@icloud.com]

Wow! That was a great video! Very skilled.

[Robert H. Wilkinson]

[colbysmith]

[kevinnuckles@icloud.com]

Very sweet boat.

[kevinnuckles@icloud.com]

Hope you sent some of those great pictures to Julie for a possible calendar!
Maybe I am the only one that uses a calendar anymore…
[/list]

[Hunkydory]

[kevinnuckles@icloud.com]

Pure coolness! Thanks

[colbysmith]

After a very serene night in Clear Creek, Bill and I cruised 39 miles and are tied up against the old lock 7 wall. It’s another high wall, but this one doesn’t have a fence on top of it, and we have access to ladders to get to the top! My uploaded photos will show how we tie up to these high walls. We’re in a much more desolate area of the Cumberland River, and only saw one fishing boat today, near the lock wall when we arrived. Very peaceful cruising along at 5mph and enjoying the scenery. Tomorrow we have reservations to lock at Cordell Hull at 1pm. (Because it’s not a high use lock, you have to set up lockage in advance. I doubt there are many, if any, commercial tows this far up river.)
Added this morning. Not enough cell service to upload last night, so adding another photo this morning. Had quite a bit of fog until just after we departed at 8a. Also, the current really picked up in the River yesterday afternoon, and was probably flowing at about 2mph after we got tied on the lock. Water level was rising as well. In this mornings photo you can see where the water level on the wall was. Bill measured a 26" drop from the high wet mark on the wall. Very common fluctuation closer to the dams (we're 11nm away) from their generation schedules. This morning, there is barely any current at all as well. Colby






Old Lock 6 Wall. Much lower than the two old lock walls we've stayed on.


Mystery Girl and C-Traveler on old Lock 7 wall


Here you can see my aft line tied onto a chain coming down off the top of the lock wall. (Heavy sucker. I couldn't budge it from above.) Bill is tied off to a bit in the wall with his forward line. (He had another bit to tie on with his stern line, and a ladder right at his cockpit.)


I've got my forward line on a bit in the wall, and you can see my ladder.


Fog this morning, and if you look close you can see last nights high water level on the wall.

[colbysmith]

Just another day enjoying time on the water. Got to the Cordell Hull Lock a little bit early, and waited about 30 minutes before the gate was opened for us. I think that was the fastest fill / lift I’ve had in these locks. The lockmaster said it takes 12 minutes. I think he had the valves full open. A little turbulence near where I was, but didn’t have any problems staying on the wall. Tonight we are anchored in McDonald Hollow Cove, near mile 328. We got our kayaks down today, and kayaked around the cove. Colby


C-Traveler on the wall inside Cordell Hull lock.


Cordell Hull lock upper gate opening in front of Mystery Girl


C-Traveler and Mystery Girl anchored in McDonald Hollow cove