I got an e-mail from a reader who was quite disappointed in their trip up the Tennessee River.  They are from Florida...had heard about the majestic beauty of the Tennessee and the kind hearts of its residents.  She fed my ear full about rub rails falling in the water, her foot going through a dock and no where to eat on the water.

Now I know what you're thinking...Delta's ready when she is, right?  But we've got to think about this.  Is she right?  Are we promoting our area only to cause disappointment?  I'd love to hear your thoughts...

To go to a football game at Milton Frank...not get out of there until 8:30 or 9 o'clock...then wag our stuff to the boat may seem like a lot of trouble.  It's totally worth it this time of year.  It was a pleasant 71 degrees...and this morning...oh!  it was breathtaking to see the hint of fall on the river.

Grab some sandwiches, a blanket and head to whatever body of water is close by.  You will be refreshed and relaxed in about 2 minutes!

Look for the next issue of LIFE ON THE WATER to share the great ways to enjoy our waterways in the fall...IT'S THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO BE ON THE WATER!

Attending the first meeting of the North Alabama Marina Association yesterday in Guntersville, a hot topic reared its head again.

Can some legislator actually SELL the water to another city or state from the Tennessee River?  Hello...TVA??  I'm thinking you need permission from them first.  But then...can TVA sell our water?  I'm getting pains in my stomach just thinking about this one.

Look for upcoming issues of LIFE ON THE WATER to ask these questions and more...

It's a call you hope never comes.  2:30 p.m. on a Thursday.  Hot as all get-out.  I mean hot.  Your friend calls and says there's smoke coming out of the engine compartment.  That's when your Coast Guard Auxiliary classes and Power Squadron textbooks' memories kick into play.

Here's a list of things we learned:

--your VHF radio is not like a CB.  Channel 9 is not the hailing channel.  It's Channel 16.  Boaters and marine police and marinas monitor channel 16.  He hailed on 16 and the Coast Guard Ohio Valley Louisville, KY sector came on immediately to tell him what to do and that help was on the way.

--Smoke billowing out of the engine compartment.  I'm thinking that's a May Day call.  Captains I've spoken with said it would be a 'Pan Pan'.  If I were behind the helm of that boat, I would have probably kicked into a 'Securi-tay Securi- ...

Someone's thinking about us out there...but it may not be our representatives and senators at the State of Alabama.

I got a call on August 1st from an administrator with one of our counties on the Tennessee River.  She wanted to know if I'd heard about the INCREASES.  What increases?  She said boater registration.  Okay, that's the $10 fee that will benefit local rescue squads...I'm good with that.   "No," she said, "This DOUBLES your registration fees...and from what I'm reading, it's vague as to where the increase is going."

She directed me to the Alabama Department of Revenue site:

www.ador@revenue.alabama.gov

then 'legal' then 'code of AL' then 'boating'

section 33510, 33515, 33516, 33517 and 33520

The fee is not pro-rated.  I ...

It was 7:30 p.m. or so on Friday evening.  Flashing lights from a fire truck.  People scurrying near the fuel dock.  Boaters on the dock watching.  Was it a fire?  The incident at Covenant Cove in Guntersville a few weeks ago has everyone more aware of the dangers of fires on our docks.

This wasn't a fire.  It was a search and rescue operation.  Someone had possibly drown.  The word we got was he jumped into the river near mm 336, no life jacket, couldn't swim. 

It's tragic and sad.  But there's a lesson for all of us.  NO ONE...no matter how great a swimmer you are should EVER jump in this river without a life jacket.  The current can be swift.  Or if you hit the bottom, it's a sticky muck that can have you stuck at the bottom. 

Great thanks and respect go out to the many rescue teams from our surrounding counties. ...

We were up late with my 11 year old...he's ready to go to the river! 

As much as I love it, too, there's work that has to be done.  Cole's logic is both my husband and I work in the boat business...and I, now, have a magazine about the Tennessee River...so WHY can't we stay at the river more?  Good problem to have I suppose.

Both of my children are better when we're on the water.  We actually talk to each other.  You MUST work together to take trips or even just go skiing.  Plus, you get really FRESH air.  Speaking of that, my laundry is finished and I'm getting my boat bag ready!  See you this weekend on the water!

Christy