Leatherwood Marina to Clifton, TN

Wednesday, September 11, 2013

As we cruise the TN River toward mm158.5 RDB and Clifton Marina located there, Clay is grabbing his camera and taking pictures of stilted or built-on-the-hill cabins to allow for 25' river rise from the current level. We bid our friends Jim and Sanci a fond farewell at an early 5:15 am this morn at Cuba Landing Marina, mm 115.5 where they had parked their car for their 5-night, 4-day stay aboard. Easy and compatible folks to have around, they were truly a nice intro to guests joining us. I must admit I was hesitant to share small square footage with another couple.

Leaving Leatherwood Marina yesterday morning, our Captain and crew found the evolving day to be an eye opener! Our cruise was accompanied by intense rain and reduced visibility, requiring radar as a much-needed and appreciated first mate along with a very helpful Jim who, along with Sanci and Clay, witnessed first-hand the leaking fly bridge canopy.

Poor visibility during heavy rain

Old dock (before dam) in rain

Although the tarp material was waterproof and high quality, the seams weren't. Clay's estimation was approximately 3 gallons bailed and/or mopped up by Jim and Sanci while I was in the salon strategically placing buckets to catch the drips; after all, it is a 2002 Mainship. The orange chamois-like 'rags' they used are a must, and we plan to add to our collection from our home stash. Too, Clay was online after tying up for the night, researching seam sealers and waterproofing compounds.

Industrial plants

Being without internet and cell coverage much of the day Tuesday and the previous evening, I retrieved 5 missed calls to realize you can't escape reality. First call was from a neighbor alerting us to suspicious people in our home backyard. Second missed call was credit card company alerting me to a merchant with whom I'd recently charged having been hacked; my info among the many threatened...closed account; opened new; card to be delivered at home within 10-14 days. Now how will that work? Third call was from son John's moving company needing asap the list of furniture to be moved. Oh joy! Other 2 missed calls must have been non-threatening as I didn't write them down. Thanks to sister Susan who found an over-sized date book and encouraged me to get it, saying you never know what you need to write down or record. She specified contact info of Loopers we meet along the way. Yeah, but also stuff like this. Life!

Having had good, home-cooked meals both Monday and Tuesday nights, Sanci and I knew we could manufacture a good meal the last night of their stay with little to no effort. Again, hooray for leftovers and for husbands who aren't picky about what they eat! What's to complain about....the meal was tasty!

We watched the President's address on Syria then retired for the evening, me to read, Clay to investigate water proofing sealants, and Jim and Sanci in prep for an early departure today, Wednesday. I did address some of the cell missed-call concerns, being grateful for cell and internet coverage now.