The Bats of
Guntersville
74 mile long Lake
Guntersville is reportedly home to more than 100,000 Gray Bats. One of the
protected bat cave sanctuaries was a half mile from our anchorage. We dropped
the dink and went in search of a bat sighting.
After floating for half an hour at dusk – we Googled the gray bat and
discovered the females depart for winter quarters in early September while the
males and young’uns follow mid-October.
Since our visit was very late October, we concluded that even the guys
had already left their summer home in search of warmer temps – a lesson to do our
Googling before setting out! Fortunately it was a pleasant evening for a dink
ride even at dark.
The town of Guntersville
generously supplies a free dock which even had a couple 50amp power hook ups
although none of the water spigots were flowing. Nevertheless we enjoyed an
afternoon in town just a block from the dock.
After lunch at the 336 café which boasted fresh and local food, Steve
got a haircut and then returned for a nap and further work on the pesky depth
sounder transducer. Julia managed to
visit almost every shop on the main street and found a few more vintage buttons
for her stash. We also walked the lake front bike/walking path to the farmer’s
market which is held Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Although few vendors were still open, we did
get some crisp apples, homemade pear butter, and shelled pecans. While this is
not the perfect stop since essentials like groceries, laundry or even restrooms
are not convenient, this town was well worth a visit. At least it provided a secure tie up for
Steve’s installation of the spare transducer which magically has given us a
functioning depth sounder in the pilot house.
Fortunately the last few days we have enjoyed mild temps and
occasionally steering from the fly bridge has not been painful. It is
nice to see both the chart and numbers where they belong. Our spot on the
Guntersville wall was at the foot of the 431 highway bridge connecting
Guntersville with Huntsville. The
parking lot is used by commuters who car pool.
Also the harbor is a favorite of local birders. As result we were visited by curious locals
who wanted to know what we were doing or learn about our boat. Although there
were plenty of people about and even some traffic noise, we never felt unsafe
or even disturbed. This is a very
friendly as well as beautiful corner of Alabama.
The lake here is lined
with impressive homes, cute cottagey cabins and a million boat houses. Even
though this is not a pristine wilderness area, the industrial development
remained well hidden. The display of fall colors also did not hurt the eyes as
we continue up the Tennessee River through Lake Guntersville and back into
Tennessee.
Our last stop in
Alabama was an anchorage in Jones Creek which is entered through a windy,
shallow and weed infested channel. It
was nice for Steve to have all his tools operating since this spot was well
worth the dodgy entry. Steve even climbed the peak behind the Boy Scout camp.
As an Eagle Scout himself, he considered it a challenge he could not pass
up. Julia wisely had no problem watching
from the boat! (check Steve’s war wounds!)
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