Kentucky Lake to Chattanooga, TN

We just completed an 8 day, 429 mile trip from Aurora, KY to our final stop, Chattanooga, TN. After driving through Atlanta in the torrential rains as we were headed to KY, we knew the trip upstream would be exciting. Not only did we have the strong currents to contend with, we traveled in rain for 2 1/2 days. We had a windy day that created waves greater than 2 ft. We were even in the middle of a situation in which a person attempted suicide by jumping from a bridge. We paid between $2.11 and $2.94 for fuel. We moved south across TN, then east across AL and back north into Chattanooga all while moving upstream against a 3+ mph current. Our average fuel mileage was 1.7 mpg. Play Dough is now docked at Chickamauga Marina. We'll be working as we get her prepared to list for sale as well as cruising some around Chickamauga Lake.

Day One- Aurora, KY to New Johnsonville, TN

54 miles- 6 hours-light rain

Day Two- New Johnsonville, TN to Clifton, TN

61 miles- 8 1/2 hours-light rain

Day Three- Clifton, TN to Counce, TN

58 miles- Locked up at Pickwick Dam

8 hours- rain stopped before noon

Day Four- Counce, TN to Florence, AL

41 miles - 5 hrs.- Foggy morning

Day Five- Florence, AL to Huntsville, AL

78 miles - 9 hrs, 45 min.

Locked up at Wilson Dam and Joe Wheeler Dam

Waited for railroad bridge and search for bridge jumper

in Decatur, AL., (Winds 15-20 mph)

Day Six - Huntsville, AL to Scottsboro, AL

44 miles - 5 1/2 hrs.

Locked up at Guntersville Dam

Day Seven- Scottsboro, AL to Guild, TN

53 miles - 7 hrs.

Locked up at Nickajack Dam

(stopped at Hales Bar Marina where we departed exactly

11 months earlier)

Day Eight - Guild, TN to Chattanooga, TN

40 miles - 6 hrs.

Locked up at Chickamauga Dam

"As fall approaches, the hunters are preparing their blinds for the upcoming duck season"

"Beautiful Home near Savannah, TN"

"A Drive-Through Boat House"

"The Captain also serves as a deck hand when locking."

"We waited for the fog to lift, but nothing stops the tugs"

"When the fog lifted, we were happy to finally have a sunny day for traveling. Pickwick Lake is a beautiful mountain lake."

"A man was found alive 1/2 mile down stream after jumping from this bridge"

"You see all types of boats on the river."

"Relaxing after a long day on the river"

"Cranes are frequent sights along the river"

"Downtown Chattanooga, TN"