Bryantheads in attendance on the Spring Cruise 2011: John & Debbie and Titan & Elmo(DebbaritaVille), Mike & Becky w/guests Robb & Judy (New Blue Obsession), Dave & Donna and Powder (Shifting Colors), Doug & Jane and Seven (Dea Latis II), George & Karen w/guests David & Amie (Stimulated) and Jeff & Dina (ThinkFun).
16 amazing people, 4 furry friends, 6 Bryant boats, 4 days on the water (3 for everyone except us and Dave and Powder), more than 400 miles (300+ for everyone else), 4 lakes (Watts Bar, Chickamauga, Nickajack and Guntersville), 3 locks, lots of good food, 2 gallons of Debbaritas, 2 quarts of Apple Pie, 2 nights at Hale's Bar with no electricity, cold showers, 2 overflowing toilets, a haunted powerhouse, a mystery ghost runner, an unexpected plunge in the lock water by a fellow Bryanthead, a lost anchor, a lost cell phone, a pair of shoes swooped up by a crow, a few mishaps with the lock walls, a late evening cruise after dinner in Chattanooga, late night heavy barge traffic, and an OOPS with a green marker buoy . . . just how much fun can one group of folks have?
A black cloud was over us even before we began our journey. On the Wednesday before the cruise, John Sisson, a Bryant employee and dear friend who was to join us for the weekend, had an anurism (sp?). Emergency surgery and an assurance that all was well left us feeling very fortunate. However, it was his time to go and did not survive the night. RIP John, you are loved and will be greatly missed.
Also on that same Wednesday evening, a line of severe storms and tornadoes ravaged through MS, AL, TN and GA destroying much in their path. Hale's Bar, fortunately, only suffered the loss of power (hence no electricity, cold showers and overflowing toilets). Many homes and lives were lost that evening. As our group always says, we are a truly blessed group of individuals and are all thankful for all that we have. Thursday evening also brought more severe storms and more damage.
John and I were fortuante to have gotton 4 days out instead of only 3. We spent Thursday on Watts Bar with Dave and Powder. We went to Sand Island and let the dogs wear themselves out. And worn out they were.
Titan, Elmo & Powder at Sand Island on Watts Bar Lake in TN
This was their first encounter with water (other than a bath of course)
Our boys and Powder. They had a great time playing together!
Whatcha lookin' at?
One tired little puppy!
John & I on DebbaritaVille locking through Watts Bar to Chickamauga.
"THINKFUN"
"SHIFTING COLORS"
"DEA LATIS II"
"STIMULATED"
"NEW BLUE OBSESSION"
Definitely an adventure to remember. In spite of the "black clouds", we had a wonderful time with absolutely amazing friends. Looking forward to our Homecoming on Tellico in June.
