Welcomed and Served!

"Velsignet" followed "Red Pearl" into the Goose Pond Colony Marina yesterday about 2:30 pm.  Mike had called ahead to the marina about our arrival with a request for the use of a courtesy car so that we could find out what the store "Unclaimed Baggage" was all about.  And so it was with disappointment that the courtesy car was not available.  Disappointed but not discouraged, Steve called the "Unclaimed Baggage" store and we were delighted to learn the store would send a shuttle to the marina for us!  Now THAT'S customer service!

"Unclaimed Baggage" retail floor space is about as large as a Macy's or large JC Penny Store.  According to our driver, Michael Foster--a retired native of Scottsboro (who also went on a 10-day mission trip to Guatamala a few years back to deliver dental services to the poor), "Unclaimed Baggage draws shoppers from around the country and the world.  The merchandise includes unclaimed items left at airports and overstock from a variety of sources.  About 50% of the items is donated to charities.  We purchased 2 bike helmets (Oops! Left ours at home) and a set of Bose noise-reducing headphones (Mike already has a pair; Brenda always wants to use them!) = $60.  Not too bad!

After our shopping trip, Mr. Foster delivered us back to the Goose Pond Colony.  He explained to us that Goose Pond is an island resort (which we already knew) that was developed by the City of Scottsboro (What?)  The city developed this resort area to include a quality golf course, a full-service marina, boat ramp with large parking lot, convenience store, pool and playground, cabins for rent, and a restaurant.  The city continues to develop itself and is currently developing a tract of prime real estate for high-end homes that'll look over the Tennessee River.  

The waterfront restaurant at the Goose Pond Colony Resort, "The Docks", is adjacent to the marina and comes highly recommended.  With reservations for 6:30 pm, we arrived early and enjoyed watching the sunset from the casual dining atmosphere.  Our dinner included two entrees:  the crab-stuffed flounder and the (famously known by the locals) shrimp and grits:  tasty!  spiced perfectly!  absolutely delicious!  During our meal, we met and visited with Chef and owner Mark Hall (we also extended a greeting to Mark's mom, Linda, as requested by our "Unclaimed Baggage" driver, Mr. Foster).  Mark learned we were Loopers and from then on out, we were family.  We left  the restaurant satisfied (ate our plates clean! as well as the complimentary desserts delivered to our table by the Chef) and carried with us an order of Bread Pudding to-go (Chef's suggestion--have it for breakfast!).  

This morning we woke to a sunny, windy, cold 39 degrees.  We departed Goose Pond marina at 8:30 am to continue cruising up the Tennessee River towards Chattanooga.  We hope to get through the Nickajack Lock in time to anchor out for the evening.  

This is Chef and Owner of "The Docks" Restaurant with Brenda (holding our bread pudding).  The hanging in the background is the restaurant's logo and was designed by a local artist.

Here we are at the "Unclaimed Baggage" store:  Steve and Kathy Hollenberg from Indiana (Red Pearl)
and Mike and Brenda (Velsignet)

Here's the 4 of us at "The Docks."
Don't be fooled by the casual atmosphere!  The food created by Chef Mark Hall is seriously outstanding!

Mark Hall is a character and described to us how the restaurant's new logo (see back of his t-shirt) increased business substantially.

In 2006, Rand-McNally (yes, the atlas company) recognized "The Docks" restaurant as one of the "Best of the Road:  Visitors Pick for 2006."  Mark said he had no idea a Rand McNally rep had visited the restaurant, and was pleasantly surprised to be given this honor and have "The Docks" mentioned in every Rand McNally Road Atlas!

This is for our friend, Guy Falskow.  Mark has a model of a Chris Craft that reminded us of Guy's beautiful boat.

These two photos are of the Willow's Creek Power Plant at MM 408.  It was a coal-fueled power plant operated by the TVA.  Its chimney is one of the tallest in the world at the height of 1,001 feet!  The last shipment of coal to operate the plant was delivered in 2015; it was decommissioned.  Google has since invested more than $600 million and it now serves as a data center!

We're in Tennessee!  This is a bridge over the Tennessee River, Highway 156.  South Pittsburg, a town of about 3,000 people, is the home to a National Cornbread Festival (each April). 

As Halloween is approaching, you may be interested to also know that South Pittsburg has been named by several paranormal resources to be the #1 most haunted and harrowing location in Tennessee.

If you're one who likes being scared, you still have the opportunity to participate in a sleep-over event ($129 per person) at the haunted Old South Pittsburg Hospital.  The Old South Pittsburg Hospital has a dark and checkered history that will not prepare you enough for what lies within the walls and who walks the very dark corridors, such as  the 7-foot tall man on the 3rd floor; former (dead) patients who simply want to talk with or touch you; a toddler who wants you to hold him.  You'll be able to spend time where-ever you'd like within the hospital, even the morgue!