Tennessee: Goose Pond Resort to Shellmound Park Docks

Day 122

NM Today: 42

NM Total: 2405 (2768 statute miles)

Locks Today: 1

Locks Total: 87

My photographer got busy today with the camera and took lots of great photos on today’s trip.  Compared to some of our more recent trips, we expected a relatively long day on the water. We got up reasonably early to start our day.  Even so it was well after 9:00 before we were underway.  Where does the time go???

Once we got settled and heading upstream I pulled out my guide books that told us to look for the islands showing the original banks of the river before the flooding caused by the dam.

Low, tree covered islands reveal
where the banks of the river used to be before dams.

As we continued upstream we were passed by a Tow Boat U.S. boat with its lights flashing.  Further along we saw the tow boat going downstream with a boat in tow.  We recognized the boat being towed as Mazel Tug whom we met just before they had to rush back to North Carolina because Hurricane Joaquin was heading towards their home.   I certainly hope it was nothing too serious that caused them to need a tow.

Mazel Tug in Tow

Further along, we passed by two huge smokestacks each 587 feet high belonging to the TVA’s Bellefonte Nuclear Power plant.  Construction of this plant started in 1974 but after a six billion dollar investment, construction stopped and the plant was never completed.  We saw the tops of the smoke stacks but saw no point in taking a picture of them as they really are an unsightly blemish on the otherwise beautiful waterway.  

Later we passed by the TVA’s Widow Creek power plant with a 1000-foot stack that is one of the tallest structures in the Tennessee Valley region.

TVA’s Widow Creek power plant

We passed under several bridges today on this segment of the river.  The railroad bridge is a lift span bridge.  Note the pulleys on each side used to raise the bridge.  We underestimated that height of the bridge.  The guide book says it has 34 feet of clearance – we need just under 19 if we do not fold antennas.  Clark’s chart said the bridge height is 17 feet.  We folded the mast and antennas to be safe and found it was a waste of energy as we had huge amounts of clearance as we passed underneath.  It is hard to estimate bridge clearance from the boat, so we decided to be safe rather than sorry.  

Shortly after passing under this bridge we found ourselves out of Alabama and back in Tennessee again.

lift span railroad bridge

 We also passed under the South Pittsburg highway bridge which has an interesting design featuring a suspended arch type of construction.  This design uses less steel and the bridge is built lower in relation to the riverbank but still gives good vertical clearance to the boats passing underneath.  Also noteworthy is that this bridge has a horizontal clearance of 730 feet - the widest of any bridge on the Tennessee River.

South Pittsburg Bridge with
suspended arch type design

We passed through the Nickajack Lock & Dam just prior to reaching our destination for tonight.  Like the prior lock, this lock has a 40 foot lift to bring us up to the next level of water on the river.  Nickajack is the newest dam / lock on the river having been constructed from 1964 to 1967.

After 5.5 hours of traveling almost 50 statute miles we came to the Shellmound campground site that provides two fixed docks for boats and allows free overnight docking.  The campground provides toilets and showers but no electric or potable water.  Still it is perfect as we can get off the boat and walk around.  The dog Zoe from the boat rPAd traveling with us was happy to get off the boat and stretch her short little legs too.

Since Halloween is approaching the campgrounds are decorated with ghosts, goblins, and witches.  It is quite a sight to see.

Entrance to the campground manager's house

Ghostly Tractor

Pumpkin Camper Parked at Campground

To use the restrooms one must pass under the Grim Reaper!

Apparently even the men's room is decorated
Why not the ladies' room?

Shortly after we docked our boats on one of the piers, we were invaded by a group of adults and children all sporting fishing poles.  They stayed for several hours and only caught one large carp which they tossed back. 

Folks fishing from Shellmound Fixed Docks
with campground in background

Later in the afternoon another looper boat pulled in and tied up to the second of the two fixed docks.  We immediately recognized Mist from other spots along the waterways where our paths have crossed.  We got an invitation to come on board and have a look around their very impressive Chris Craft motor vessel.  I did not stay long to chat as I needed to get back to my boat to start preparing dinner before full dark.