13 November 2010 DEPARTURE DAY!

13 Nov 2010 37. 00’ . 373 N  88. 13’ .571W  Windy cloudy

               0710L we leave from Green Turtle Bay Marina in Ky, heading out to the canal.  Rob meets us here, taking pictures of our departure.  We head out on to the main lake, the wind is blowing, my guess is about 10-15 knots, and it’s kicking up a bit of chop on the lake giving us 1-2 ft rollers as we head south.  The mast cradle is holding, it’s moving a bit fore and aft, but tightening up the tie down strap on the fore most cradle stops most of this movement.  We continue our trip south.

0911L rain starts near 37.9 mile marker,

0937L Cleared Eggners Ferry Bridge, this is the furthest south that s/v Surprise has ever been on this body of water and from this point on its new untraveled waters, an adventure waits with each passing mile. 

1630L hrs 36. 03’ .899N  87. 57’ .067W

               We anchor in 9.8 ft of water at Pebble Isle Marina Mile marker 96.1; we have covered 70.7 miles on the Tennessee River plus 2.7 miles from the Marina to the main channel on Kentucky Lake for a total of 73.4 miles.  That was a good days run, we averaged 7.2 knots most of the day.  For the first day it was a very good run.  For dinner we had New York Strip, bakes potatoes, and salad.  I think we are a little tired, but it was a long day, and didn’t sleep well the night prior.  I think we were anticipating the trip, so that made for a restless night.  The boat is very quite quiet tonight except for music and the patter of rain on the cabin top.  Jim is making coffee as we prep for the next morning; I think we are going to turn in soon. 

I am not sure when this will be posted, I was hoping to have signal tonight, Ok might have signal, I have turned the hotspot on my phone on, will try to up load this if we can.  Don’t think we can pictures up, but will post those as soon as we better signal.  We tried for three pics but got two so here they are, first is my empty slip as we back away and Rob waving good bye.  The next Capt. Bear helming Surprise out of GTB for the last time, abandon dock along the way,