Chickamauga

We are three weeks later than normal, but it is that time of year again when we head south for the winter.  After doing last minute perishable grocery shopping and checking the mail one last time, we departed Gold Point Yacht Harbor at about 11:00 a.m.  We heard a pleasure boat lock up through Chickamauga Lock so we thought we were clear.  However, when we called the lock we were informed that there was commercial traffic with two more lockages up so it would be no more than a two hour delay.  With that we went over to Chickamauga Marina to pump out and get a bag of ice.  There we saw five deer.  After that we just mingled around in front of the dam and made chili dogs for lunch.

Never did get all five of them in the picture.

Our delay ended up only being an hour and a half, so we were in Chickamauga Lock at 12:30 p.m.  We heard "Mas Buenos" call to lock down just after we were down.  We hailed Hal on the radio to find out he would be docking downtown also.  By 1:45 p.m. we were tied to the Olgiati Dock in downtown Chattanooga.  We almost immediately walked into town to catch the free electric bus over to the north shore.  The ride over the bridge was about as much as we got though as the bus was going the opposite direction we needed to go.  We stopped at Heaven & Ale for our first visit ever since we were early for checking out Doug's house/office.  By the time we got to Doug's, April called to let us know she was right there so we all went back to Heaven & Ale for a couple before heading over to Mellow Mushroom for our traditional departure party.  It was a great time with lots of wonderful friends.  The boating community is the best!