11-5 and 6-2012 Grand Harbor Marina, Pickwick TN
We called the lock before we left and they were working a tow through so it would be at least an hour before we could go down. It’s a good idea to call and get information from the locks before leaving your dock or anchorage, of course it helps to have a cell phone that works, Sprint does not work here either. Luckily or Sat phone worked long enough to call the lock. This lock is 72 feet. We were travrling with “Headquarters”.
It was rather cool this morning so we travel in the pilot house to Grand Harbor. We had decided to stay here so that we could us their loaner van to visit Shiloh. We had passed the Shiloh battle ground a few weeks ago on the Tennessee’s river below the Pickwick lock.
We were the only looper at the marina so they let us us the loaner van to go to a dinner and a movie in Savannah Tennessee. Both the Chinese’s dinner and the movie, Taken 2, were disappointing.
Shiloh was not disappointing; we were quite moved by the vast site (6 Square Miles) and incredible loss of life that took place here in two days. This Civil War battle took place just over a year into the Civil War, General Grant’s 40,000 troops were surprised when they were attacked by General Johnston’s 44,000 troops. The first day the Confederacy won but lost General Johnston to a stare bullet, a mortal wound to the leg. The second day reinforcements arrived (8000 men) and the Union won the day and the battle. Grant later said it was one of the fearest battles of the war. 50000 men were dead, wounded or missing. The cemetery (built after the war) for the Union troops has over 5000 graves, 3500 unmarked. The Confederate troops are buried in 5 mass graves.
The movie and museum are a must stop before driving several miles through the park. One can only hope this nation never has to endure another Civil War.
