With the temperature near 100 today in Birmingham,Al I am having thoughts of fall. We already have labor day weekend planned for Wheeler lake my son-in-law wants a chance to catch one of Wheeler's famous 100#+ Blue catfish. It will probably still be hot the first of September. But I am thinking the first of October!!! Take a week off work. That means up to 9 days on the water.... We have been up to Guntersville and have looked at Nickajsck from a small plane and the road. We have also been on Pickwick and Wilson as we motored up from Mobile. We have even been on Kentucky lake north of Paris. There seems to be plenty of places to go but I'd like to know the "best" place to go in the fall. If Kentucky lake wasn't so far it would be the hands down winner but I doubt that we could get there and back in 9 Days. Motoring through the gorge near Chattanooga would have to be great if there are fall colors. But what is Chickamauga like??? How much current would we have to buck??? Anyone with favorite places on the Tennessee river a day or two from Wheeler lake??? It isn't sailing but last Saturday we saw a cute little (18-22") alligator on Wheeler. He was shy and hid in the weeds along the shore once he saw me and my grandson. Thanks
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Tom
Tom, May I add to your question? Maybe you can answer it for me? Does Eufuala Lake in Al. also have gulf access for sailboats? I think it is on the same river but I am not sure. Good luck with your trip. I was thinking the same trip would be fun and different. I look forward to any answers you receive. Jack {24 months, 29 days till retirement}
Tom, May I add to your question? Maybe you can answer it for me? Does Eufuala Lake in Al. also have gulf access for sailboats? I think it is on the same river but I am not sure. Good luck with your trip. I was thinking the same trip would be fun and different. I look forward to any answers you receive. Jack {24 months, 29 days till retirement}
Eufaula on another River
Lake Eufaula is on the Chattahoochie (sp) river. It has gulf access all the way up to Columbus I think. But there are low bridges that stop most sailboats. Eufaula is a large lake but I think there are a lot of shallows. I've been to the wildlife refuge and saw a huge gator maybe 14'!!!! but I haven't been on the lake in a boat. It is a corps of engineer's waterway and you might check their web site. I think that even though everyone calls it lake eufaula it is actually called lake george??? I am sure many folks on this site know more than me.
Lake Eufaula is on the Chattahoochie (sp) river. It has gulf access all the way up to Columbus I think. But there are low bridges that stop most sailboats. Eufaula is a large lake but I think there are a lot of shallows. I've been to the wildlife refuge and saw a huge gator maybe 14'!!!! but I haven't been on the lake in a boat. It is a corps of engineer's waterway and you might check their web site. I think that even though everyone calls it lake eufaula it is actually called lake george??? I am sure many folks on this site know more than me.
Up the Apalachicola
100 miles or so up the Apalachicola and about 150 up the Chatahooche rivers from the gulf to Columbus. Colombus is a pretty neat town we always stay there when we evacuate for a hurricane hope not to visit for that reason this year. I have not done the trip on the water but we flew down the river often saw some very large gators. Oh and if you drive along that route better slow down going through the town of Eufaula.
100 miles or so up the Apalachicola and about 150 up the Chatahooche rivers from the gulf to Columbus. Colombus is a pretty neat town we always stay there when we evacuate for a hurricane hope not to visit for that reason this year. I have not done the trip on the water but we flew down the river often saw some very large gators. Oh and if you drive along that route better slow down going through the town of Eufaula.
Cool Weather Dreams
I would highly recommend the Tennessee River Gorge (just south of Chattanooga) as the most beautiful natural area east of the Mississippi. Then stop in downtown Chattanooga at the new $125 million waterfront. New Transient slips with hookups are in high demand, so make your reservations now. Downtown has two aquariums, an Imax theater, great restaurants, bars, etc. You'll think you took a trip to europe except the natives are fatter. I have spent the last 11 years here sailing on Chickamauga. It is beautiful with many nice anchorages. The Atlanta powerboaters have discovered it, too, which is not a good thing. I've done the Tennessee from end to end and the Gorge is by far the most beautiful thing on it.
I would highly recommend the Tennessee River Gorge (just south of Chattanooga) as the most beautiful natural area east of the Mississippi. Then stop in downtown Chattanooga at the new $125 million waterfront. New Transient slips with hookups are in high demand, so make your reservations now. Downtown has two aquariums, an Imax theater, great restaurants, bars, etc. You'll think you took a trip to europe except the natives are fatter. I have spent the last 11 years here sailing on Chickamauga. It is beautiful with many nice anchorages. The Atlanta powerboaters have discovered it, too, which is not a good thing. I've done the Tennessee from end to end and the Gorge is by far the most beautiful thing on it.
Are there places to anchor in gorge??
I have flown over the gorge in a light plane and it is beautiful from the air. Raccon mountain pump storage is also interesting. Are there any places to anchor in the gorge??? I prefer to sail and there is a fairly long motor from the upper end of Guntersville to Nickajack. Then another motor to chickamauga. Is there good sailing on Chickamauga??? I've been to the aquarium and looked at the river. Any idea about the strength of the current??? thanks
I have flown over the gorge in a light plane and it is beautiful from the air. Raccon mountain pump storage is also interesting. Are there any places to anchor in the gorge??? I prefer to sail and there is a fairly long motor from the upper end of Guntersville to Nickajack. Then another motor to chickamauga. Is there good sailing on Chickamauga??? I've been to the aquarium and looked at the river. Any idea about the strength of the current??? thanks
Up or Down River
Well it really dont matter which way you go, the main thing is to just get out there on the water an enjoy. thats my 2 cents worth. Oh yes ..... Hey Tom. Dave
Well it really dont matter which way you go, the main thing is to just get out there on the water an enjoy. thats my 2 cents worth. Oh yes ..... Hey Tom. Dave
Hi Dave P
Dave if I had my way I'd be going down river all the way to Mobile. Maybe in the spring. You need to get on your boat and come up to Wheeler!!!
Dave if I had my way I'd be going down river all the way to Mobile. Maybe in the spring. You need to get on your boat and come up to Wheeler!!!
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