BURNS ISLAND, TN TO CHATTANOOGA, TN

Tuesday, September 23rd, 2014

Day 50
Miles Traveled: 44
Total Miles Traveled: 1344



  It was another cool day with winds out of the north, but, the sun was warm.  Fall is definetly starting.  
  We went through Nickajack Lock which is the newest lock on the Tennessee River.  Construction was completed in 1967, and, it replaced the old Hales Bar Lock and Dam.  Hales Bar Lock and Dam was built as a hydroelectric power plant in the early 1900's.  At that time, it was the second largest hydroelectric generating plant. Niagra Falls was first.  Due to serious problems of water leaking through rock strata under the dam and the high cost of repairing this problem, the TVA chose to remove the Hales Bar dam and replace it with one that was also more functional for modern navigation needs. 

What remains of Hales Bar hydroelectric plant

  This section of the Tennessee River, called Nickajack Lake, has mountains and cliffs as its backdrop.  In fact, it is known as "The Grand Canyon of the Tennessee River".  Although it is not as enormous and awe inspiring as the actual Grand Canyon, it still was very beautiful. 

Start of The Grand Canyon of the Tennessee

Cliff of the Grand Canyon of the Tennessee

  Two famous mountains, Signal Mountain and Lookout Mountain, were part of the "grand canyon" experience.  Lookout Mountain was where the Cival War "Battle Above the Clouds" took place. 

Signal Mountain

Lookout Mountain 

  We docked at "The Bluff Docks" operated by Marine Max in downtown Chattanooga, TN.  Since we had been on the boat for the past three days, we decided to stretch our legs and take a walk around town.  We came upon three interesting buildings on this walk - Dome Building (had a fancy dome on the top), Flatiron Building (shaped in a triangle), and The First Methodist Church Steeple (the rest of the church had been torn down). 

The Dome Building

The Flatiron Building

The First Methodist Church steeple

   We ended our stroll with dinner at The Blue Water Grille.  Great seafood, but the "piece de resistance" was Dolly's Triple Chocolate Cake, made with Angie's favorite food - anything with chocolate.  After this desert, we will definitely have to do a lot more walking.