Chattanooga-Tennessee River Gorge Run, 7.31

Isaac here, so for those of you who haven't been monitoring the noise under the general "Where is Tex theme", here it is and feel free to catch up...

http://www.donzi.org/forum/showthrea...-s-new-Cruiser

And the end result has been the genesis of a little river run up the Tennesee River Gorge towards Chattanooga and back.
Jill and I ran this a couple of weeks ago as part of a poker run out of Hale's Bar in Jasper, Tn. as a warm-up to the AOTH run.
Hedgehog and his lovely bride Christina hosted us and RedDog on their big Chris Roamer, which did not suck. Nope, not at all.

So we have interest in this little impromptu run from:

-Your's truly and better half Jill, 22 Classic
-Bill and Christina, 18X
-Randy and Barb, 22 Crit
-Jim, 22 Crit
-Scott and Heidi, 22 Crit
-Cliff and Di, 22 Crit
-Byron and Jill, 22 Classic
-Jerry, 22 Classic
-Lippy, 20 Cigarette

So there you are, so far.

Hales Bar is a nice little spot with RV sites, plenty of slips, easy ramp facilties, and a pretty sweet row of water front floating cabins viewing the goings-on out on the Tennessee River.

So who else wants to do this? Could be something pretty cool and Bill needs to grab some places for us to stay.

Softy...

www.halesbarmarina.com



hey, they have goony golf and an RV park...:camp: :hammock: :whee: :bbq::party:

we're in for sure now... :capt:

I .may have an issue the Criterion may be down and out, will find out this weekend. A major overheat issue caused by a human.

Yeah, and the water slide is a real crowd pleaser.

They have one and two bedroom floating cabins available and one and three bedroom non-floating. If you are coming, I would recommend reserving something. It is usually no problem but sometimes they seem to book up on random weekends. I did not talk to my usual person so I will get some more intel tomorrow. I am heading down this evening.

We have a number of options for fun. I was thinking about having everyone to the Roamer on Fri night. I will check on the community room for Sat night. I will also looking dock space for lunch on Sat. I am probably taking the Roamer to Chatt on tomorrow night for dinner and drinks. I can check with Marine Max for the summer schedule since they manage the city docks.

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Originally Posted by big grizzly

I .may have an issue the Criterion may be down and out, will find out this weekend. A major overheat issue caused by a human.

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Always good to have two boats.;)

If we could get a decent commitment, I can get a block at a reduced rate. Let me know. Either way, it is not expensive.

Sounds like a fun trip! I am trying to get the Mrs. to confirm our calendar......

I'm there!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:grin::grin::grin::weird:

Wow, a response from Tex,

Good news is he is alive and well. The big boat is in Demopolis and coming up

As said

I 'm there!!!!
posting these days has been tough for sure, again not an exscuse but my reason....man I have been burning the candle on both ends.....

And yes the Pacemaker has a happy new home for 2 weeks in the Big City Of Demopolis, Al:map:. I'm half way up the Tenn Tom and headed for Chattanooga.....lock up the woman and blind fold the children.....I'm back!!!!


Tex

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Originally Posted by Last Real Texan

As said

I 'm there!!!!
posting these days has been tough for sure, again not an exscuse but my reason....man I have been burning the candle on both ends.....

And yes the Pacemaker has a happy new home for 2 weeks in the Big City Of Demopolis, Al:map:. I'm half way up the Tenn Tom and headed for Chattanooga.....lock up the woman and blind fold the children.....I'm back!!!!


Tex

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Burning the candle at both ends. That is pretty good. Yep, pretty much an excuse. Falls on deaf ears from a guy that hits 12-15 hour days looking at some largest bank credits in the nation. Yeah, I run from NY to Cali too. As a matter of fact I am in Puerto Rico now and they don't fly me in to look at the kiddy stuff. Boats? yeah I have a few yet can still check in.

The guy that never left......

Now bring back the Real Last Real Texan. Summer is here dang it!:w:

I would not bust you if you could not handle it. Now bring that beast up. Better yet, give me a couple of weeks and I will join you!

We are planning a wednesday the 23 rd of June Departure from Demopolis....You my friend are part of the crew.....

Tex

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Originally Posted by Last Real Texan

We are planning a wednesday the 23 rd of June Departure from Demopolis....You my friend are part of the crew.....

Tex

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Perfect. I can see the fireboats spraying water and the fireworks show as we leave Nickajack Lock. A welcome reception will follow at A dock.

This sounds like a good trip. Where would all stay? Hales bar or downtown Chatt? Friday/ Sat nights?

If you want to stay downtown vs Hales...call Marine Max for overnite mooring. 423-266-1316.

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Originally Posted by Sweet 16 1966

This sounds like a good trip. Where would all stay? Hales bar or downtown Chatt? Friday/ Sat nights?

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I would recommend staying at Hale's Bar. That is where most of the group will be hanging out. If you want to do your own thing, the Dock's at downtown are nice. There are several good hotels that are walking distance from the dock. You will want to specify an inside slip as they are more protected.

Once we get a head count, I will talk to Marty at MarineMax and reserve some space for lunch on Sat.

If we can get a group of us coming in at a good time on Fri, I was going to take the group for a late afternoon cruise on the Roamer. If it looks like we have a bunch of stragglers, we may just do a meet and greet at the Roamer. Dinner plans will be loose on Friday. We have restaurant at Hale's Bar that has good beer, burgers and pub food. Or we can mobilize a group to the Mexican restaurant in Jasper. They have MEAN drinks at the Mexican place so we would need drivers for those that like a cocktail. You can ask my father about that place. He is no weak drinker but that is the only time I have seen him in a falling down state.

We are doing a run up the gorge on Sat. I am considering an 11:00 central departure. It is a nice 45min to an hour to Chattanooga. It can be done in less but I like to run hard for a while and then take it in. It is a beautiful place. Sometimes I like to get hung on a log so I can wait for Tripper to extract me.

When we get back, it would be fun to raft up in the swimming hole by the bluffs. It is a nice sheltered cove with good anchor water. If need be, we can take Tex's boat or the Roamer for amenities.

I am planning a cook out at A Dock for Sat night. I have discussed this with the A-dock crowd and they gave the idea a big thumbs up.

Sundays are good for misc rides and general fun.

For cabins we have a number of options. Hale's Bar has both floating and non floating cabins available. They have pros and cons. You can tie up your boat up to the floating cabins so that is kind of fun. The regular cabins are closer to A-Dock and that will be the primary hang out location.

we'll be in late Thursday, leaving Monday :)

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Originally Posted by BUIZILLA

we'll be in late Thursday, leaving Monday :)

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Awesome. I would imagine that I will be there Thurs.

Are you bringing the motor home?

coach depends on whether Janice comes with me, but I would like to,,,,, it also don't fit in the lakehouse driveway, and I need to go there for a few days.... I wanna Capt. the Roamer if I don't bring the Critter...

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Originally Posted by BUIZILLA

coach depends on whether Janice comes with me, but I would like to,,,,, it also don't fit in the lakehouse driveway, and I need to go there for a few days.... I wanna Capt. the Roamer if I don't bring the Critter...

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You can certainly drive the Roamer.

No, I could see the Lakehouse driveway being kind of tough. Don't let that stop you. I have an extra car you can borrow.

Capt Blabbin reporting, Sir

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Originally Posted by BUIZILLA

Capt Blabbin reporting, Sir

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Blabbin, Stabbin but certainly not Stubing:hockey:

Red Dog, I need your help!!!. . I need you to have Debbie cal Barb and convince her to go. She and Barb (as well as help from the rest) got to be real close friends at Cumberland. Our home phone is 706-216-8194. Call any day after 7:00 EST

Byron and our two Jill's are in, working on Jerry and Diane.
Jerry is trying to get his new trawler in the water, but I know
he wants to show up and run his Donzi with us. So he is a maybe.

Got Russ and Sheila, Scott and Heidi, Jim and maybe, Janice.

LRT, Hedge and Christina. Tim gave me a "I will keep it in mind"
response when I pinged him about it. So the RedDogs are a maybe.

Pretty good crowd, pretty good crowd. All the way around.

Griz, tell Barb it is close to you guys for an easy tow, nice river ride with beautiful scenery,
and not to mention, great company, what's not to like?

Donzi Vol will also be there. Stephen McLamb from Guntersville will also be coming. That is two more 18's.

Tex says he is going. Maybe he will be for sure if Grizz is there. Tex, his son and my father are in the Pacemaker heading up the Tn Tom right now. I will meet them on Fri at Pickwick for the final push to Chattanooga. The Blue ZX is looking kind of lonely in the storage building. He has to officially answer or else he will not be allowed to play in the Reindeer Games.

Trawlers, Cruisers and the like can be used year around. They actually extend the Donzi season since you can jump in and warm up. This is especially important if you don't have a ski mask like the Tripper. Summer is time for performance boats.

So a big question is if Buiz is bringing the big Land Yacht. If so, I will need to reserve a spot for him on the end near A-Dock. If he gets too far into the RV Park, he may get stuck hanging out on the Mini Golf Course.:grin:

Now I am off to find some more of Jim's crazy avatars

book the spot.... maybe fuzzy will bring his too.... :bbq: :ballons: :whee: :camp: :happy: :grin:

We'll be in the doghouse, need a spot please. Let me know if I need to call up there or what. 50 Amp service would be nice :) :)

You guys are killing me. Why do I live 2000 miles from TN? I swear, I feel like you could take anyplace on the planet and I always seem to be farther away from it than anyone.....

Have fun and have one on me..... :)

I want lots of pics..... :)

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Originally Posted by Donziweasel

You guys are killing me. Why do I live 2000 miles from TN? I swear, I feel like you could take anyplace on the planet and I always seem to be farther away from it than anyone.....

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hey grass seed slacker.... Lenny makes it...

Yes, lot's of pics for the Weasel.

I will get site numbers for the good spots. I will be down at Hale's Friday.

google maps tell me we want the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd spot on the water right after the last dock??, 41ft, 50 amp, back in, coming in late on the 28th or sometime on the 29th.. out on the 2nd fuzzy will have to leave here a day ahead of me, he has shorter pedals and has to stop at 6,354 frisbee parks on the way, I only have to stop once for fuel :D....

which is A dock?

they have discount rates if staying more than one night ya know,,, I have my AARP card and speckled perch poles ready :grin:

Don't you worry bout me Mr "my dog has to pee every 28 miles".. Max can hold his for a lonnnng time...

HH says he has the grilling set-up on the A-dock for Saturday night, but what exactly are we going to be throwing on that thing? Me? I am thinking it better be outright tasty! Time for some meal planning. HH, I'll give you a call...

It sounds wonderful but having just returned from Lake George (OMG) I just don't know if I am physically, mentally, or economically ready for yet another pack, tow, party, tow, unpack 10 days after our 10 day trip to Iowa to see my family that I haven't seen in 3 years. We'll just have to see how it goes.

Simple: Drop the boat off on the way to Iowa, stay an extra few days with your family, then stop in back in and get the boat, recuperate from your family and do some boating on your way home..

The Other Scott

Travel advisor, wreaker of havoc, supplier of Key Lime Rum :peace::grin:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by big grizzly

Red Dog, I need your help!!!. . I need you to have Debbie cal Barb and convince her to go. She and Barb (as well as help from the rest) got to be real close friends at Cumberland. Our home phone is 706-216-8194. Call any day after 7:00 EST

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I'm on it Grizz - as long as Barb helps to convince Deb as well

This sounds like a fun one. I'll get Deb to talk to Barb, but I may need some help convincing her as well.

Bill, Barb, Jill, Christina, anyone - help me out and give her a nudge. Her cell after 5:00 PM @ 865.567.9673

Bill - can you put in an order for no lightning this time?:danger:

but if you are going to do all of this driving, could you slide by Jackson Hole and pick up the Weasel? He seems to be having a hard time escaping from his new compound up there this year!

Seriously though, why all the driving any ways? I got to think there is a direct flight out of Hotlanta to where ever we need to be in Iowa,
get there faster, get home faster, recuperate faster, and be ready for Chattanooga faster.

To quote Randy, "Donzi gatherings are like going to visit family, the difference being that you like everyone at a Donzi gathering." He says this to me almost every time I see you guys.

Now as for the girls, please talk amongst yourselves...

Todd, give a shout when you are ready to talk food. Lots of grilling options.


Barbara, if you want to do the drop off thing, I can probably help. Bet I can find you find a nice indoor place to store it and will be glad to take it there.

I will be heading down in the am to secure spots for Poodle and Buiz.