Chattanooga

 After leaving the Jones Creek anchorage we continued up river to the Nickojack dam and lock and locked through without any issues, then pulled over at a free dock and campground a mile above the lock. We stayed the night and I took a swim to look at the bow thrusters. They acted up a bit in the lock, just didn't have the power I expected. The tunnel the thruster props sit in was clear and the props turned freely. I had thought there could have been some debris in the tunnel but it was clear. We have been at anchor and charging things with intermittent use of the generator, and I think the batteries were just low. W are currently at a dock with power in Chattanooga, everything is charged up and seem to be normal. The trip up the river to Chattanooga was beautiful. Really pretty piece of geography with mountains and high hills. Also a fair amount of current to buck. The downstream run will be easier. We got to Chattanooga early afternoon and went for an explore, had a little ice cream at Cold Stone and found a book store run by Polly, who is probably the most interesting person we've met on this trip. She is in her 80's and runs the book store full of old books. She is well read and reminded me a lot of my Aunt Rachael. Talked to her for a long time. She wanted to know all about us, our family, told us about her life and family, met her son, an attorney whose office was adjacent to her book store, just a fascinating individual. Last night we went out to a brew pub and had both a good beer and a good burger, which doesn't happen all that often. Today we are going to the Aquarium her in Chattanooga, it's supposed to be a good tour.

The view of the bridges in Chattnooga from the boat last night

Beer and burger at "Hair of the Dog" pub

Recycled aluminum, this is where your pop cans go

Lookout Mountain a mile or two below Chattanooga

The Baylor School, formerly a military school, now a high school, buildings from 1893

Deep water in the river. Reached a depth of 165 feet. It's a cleft from an ancient earthquake

Raccoon Mt. The TVA constructed a lake 1000 feet above the river, a 565 acre reservoir which is filled at times of low electric demand, then drained through turbines in the mountain and out the tunnel at times of high demand

Interesting critter we saw on a hike near the Nickojack Lock

Suspension bridge over the river

1000 foot stack at a riverside TVA coal power plant