Nashville

Adventure at home for a rest

Thank you God for your love and protection

We are home from Nashville. We departed 09-18-2010 for Nashville and arrived home11- 10-2010 @ 3:30 p.m. What a wonderful trip. We got great service on our fuel filter problem. We just needed to change the fuel/water filter and the engine ran great. This is a must spare part to carry. Also, I will have the filter changed every time we have the oil changed. We got great service at Dog River Marina by D & D Marine. I would call them again for outboard service. They met us at the dock and were out the next morning with the part. We departed Mobile, AL at 9:30 am and arrived at our house at 3:30 pm (low tide—we cross a 2.5 foot bar coming into the canal). It looks like we averaged about 12.5 mph on the trip from Mobile. We had to get up at 1 a.m. to move the boat into lift at high tide. The next few days will be getting the house ready for Thanksgiving and we have lots to be thankful for. Also, we will have to get use to our old bed and being in a house. It does not have the same feel, smell, or sounds as the boat. We thank you God for your love and protection. Also, thanks to all of you who followed our trip and prayed for us. This will be our last Nashville post. We are planning another trip for the spring and will be letting you know its details soon. Thanks again everyone for your support. Jo Ann and Carl

Nashville

Yesterday was our 30^th  wedding anniversary. What a wonderful day. We did not even forget it. We have been known to the next day look at each other and say “You know what yesterday was?" For our anniversary we were anchored at Alabama Cut off on the Tombigbee River about 50 miles north of Mobile, AL. Last night for our special meal we had special tuna fish with nuts and grapes and apples sandwiches, potato chips, Chips Ahoy white fudge chunky cookies and Riunite Lambrusco wine. It was great. We had to run the generator last night for heat. The generator stopped about 4:30 am when it ran out of gas. It was a little cold this morning - 42F outside; but it was only 53F inside. Makes you get up and move. It is foggy outside and we will have to wait until about 8:30 or 9:00 am for it to burn off. We are at Dog River Marina in Mobile tonight. Repairman met us at the dock. It looks like we have water in the fuel. We will try changing the main fuel/water filter and see if that fixes our problem. We have low power and engine hunting for rpm 500-1000 rpm mainly above 3000 rpm after 1.5 hours of operation. Tonight we had blackened grill cheese sandwiches and soup. I know they would be a hit in New Orleans if they only knew about blackened grill cheese. We have 75.8 miles to go to our house – no more locks. It depends on the repairs when we can leave Dog River Marina in Mobile, AL.

Nashville

Our little Heater

We are still setting (11-6-10) at Demopolis, AL waiting for the winds on Mobile Bay to calm down. It is forecast to be good weather (wind) Monday- Wednesday in Mobile. We are planning to leave early tomorrow (Sunday, 11/07) and go to Bobby’s Fish camp.  A boat had a fire at Bobby’s last week but they are still pumping fuel and have dock space. The marina here has put a one day stay limit on new transits. They just got too many big boats to handle. The temperature has been forecast to be 29 F but we only got down to 44 F. Our little heater is doing the job. Also, we have a heat strip in the A/C unit. We have not had to use the A/C for additional heat. Our boat is so tight that we have to leave a window open to let the moisture from our breath out. The walls and windows sweat if we leave all the windows closed. The temperature was another factor in us deciding to stay in Demopolis. Here we could use their AC current and not just have our generator to power the heat. It is forecast to warm up this coming week. Also, another big factor was today is game day. Alabama vs. LSU. At 2pm we will be going to the restaurant to see the game. Tennessee and Memphis is on pay for view. Nothing really exciting has happened here at the marina since the Coleman’s left. The boaters meet each day at about 4:30 pm to tell stories, drink beverages, and ask questions about where they are going. We have met some interesting folks and heard some great stories. We have lost our little camera again. We left it in Columbus going up and now it is on the boat somewhere we hope. It is lucky for us we brought the old camera as a back up. It has served us well. Sad day -- ALA 21 LSU 24. A first Jo Ann could not finish her bowl of ice cream last night!!!! They give a very large bowl at Demopolis Yacht Basin Restaurant. We are now docked at Bobby’s Fish Camp –Bladon Springs, Alabama (11-07-10). Tomorrow Ala cutoff—anchor out.

Nashville

Dinner at Demopolis Yacht Harbor RV Park

Marina Restaurant Turtles

Downtown  Demopolis, AL setting on white cliffs along river

We are now at the Demopolis Yacht Harbor. Looks like we will stay until Thursday, the weather is forecast for rain Tuesday and Wednesday. We have 2 more locks, 2 anchor outs, Bobby’s Fish Camp and one or two dockages before home. Our next major stop will be at Eastern Shore Marine in Fairhope, AL. The Coleman’s arrived in Demopolis today around 12:30 with shrimp, chips, pumpkin pie, and candy. We ate all of it. We had a great time visiting. Monday, we had lunch at the marina restaurant. Everyone had a great meal- salads and sandwiches. Jo Ann had a large bowl of cinnamon ice cream. Surprise! Surprise! They came in their camper and will be able to park here at the marina campground. Scout and Mary and their cat friends are with them. We had great grilled hamburgers and a picnic by the river for dinner. Great fun! A large tug pushing fuel barges came by last night with all its lights lighting up the night. It was very pretty. We could here the low powerful tone from the diesel engines as it went down the river. They sounded even better than a v- automobile or an old airplanes rotary engine in the still river air. This morning we all sleep in. It was an 80% change of rain today and tomorrow. We have had very little rain so far. The Coleman’s left Demopolis about 10 o’clock. Thanks Coleman’s for coming to see us we really enjoyed it. Hope to see you in Fairhope. This afternoon we went to Wal-Mart to get water and stuff for the rest of our trip. We are stocked up. I am posting a picture of all the river turtles that hang out below the walkway to the restaurant. We learned we had to save some of our french fries so we could feed them. They expected it. However there is not turtle on the menu. Tomorrow is a rain day so there will be lots of naps, reading, and planning going on. We are planning to stop at Bashi Creek- anchor (Thur.), Bobby’s Fish Camp- dock( Fri and Sat), Alabama cutoff ( our gator stop)(Sunday) and then Fairhope at Eastern Shore Marine (Monday). Mobile Bay is calling for light chop Sunday. We will have to watch the weather forecast for Mobile Bay.

Nashville

Deer swim

White cliffs around Demopolis, AL

Adventure on short dock Sumter Rec Area

Sumter Rec Area 

Our first bad weather has been this week. We had hail and thunderstorms at Midway Marina (Sunday) and at Columbus Marina we had wind, rain and thunderstorms (Mon, Tues, and Wed.).  However, today (Thur.) we have another beautiful day on our trip. We departed Columbus Marina, MS at 9:50 a.m. (10/28). It was later than planned because we had to wait 1.5 hours for the Stennis lock. We had two commercial tows in front of us. We locked with 3 other boats. We saw more tows today than we saw on our whole trip up-7 carrying coal, fuel, mulch, sand, and scrap metal. We  docked(10/28) at a little short dock at Sumter Recreation Area about 3 miles north of Howell Heflin Lock or about 50 miles north of Demopolis, AL. It helps to only need 11 inches of water to float. However, we do have 3.8 feet here at dockside. This is one of the prettiest anchorages on the Tenn-Tom. The temperature is going down into the 40’s tonight. It was cold last night. Today, (Friday 29) down from our anchorage at Sumter we had 3 deer swim across the Tenn-Tom in front of us. I have never though of deer swimming that big of distance before. We also, passed the white cliffs in the area. We are now docked at Demopolis, AL for a few days. The Coleman’s are going to visit with us a few days. It is going to be great fun. We only have 2 more locks to go. We are looking at Mobile Bay weather and tropical storms as we get closer to home. They both will determine our return home date.

Nashville

Pre -Civil War Church use a stable and blacksmith shop

T S Stribling Home and Museum

Ice Cream Time in Linden, TN with Jimmy and Eunita

Clifton Marina with yacht Door Prize coming in

Tonight we are in Fulton, MS at Midway Marina. Rain and thunderstorms are around but have not happened yet.  We have had a great week. We had a fun stop at Clifton Marina. Thursday our cousins Jimmy and Eunita came over and showed us around the area. What a fun day. We had lunch, ice cream, and happy hour on the dock the other seven boats that came in.. Also, talked- Woodall’s don’t have much to say when they get together. I am sure we solved the entire world’s problems if only someone would ask us. Did you know there was a 1933 Pulitzer Prize winning author T. S. Stribling who lived in Clifton? He won the prize for “The Store”. They have a museum and library in his old home. Also, there is a golf club, pre-Civil War Presbyterian Church and a pretty little town. We drove to Linden, TN for lunch at the Commodore Hotel. So, so food at hotel but the Dairy Bar in Linden had great food. Alabama had a good game Saturday. Tennessee had a good first half. Oh! Well there is always next year. The trip has been going excellent with only a few problems. We got some bad gas along the way and have been cleaning the filters and putting in Star-tron and getting new gas at each stop. Hopefully this will fix the problem. We will need to change the engine gas filters when we get home. The engine is currently losing 500-1000 rpm intermittently at 3200 rpm and then comes back to it original setting.  It starts good and runs ok at low rpm. It worked great all day yesterday and today until about a mile from Midway Marina tonight. Hopefully tomorrow it will run good and we will get all the way to Columbus Marina.

Nashville

Houseboat- just looking for a lot???

Just out for a little roughing it!!!

Adventure and friends!

Well here we are at Paris Landing State Park Marina on the Tennessee River. Bye, Bye Cumberland River. We had a great time at Green Turtle Bay Marina in Grand Rivers, KY. If you can not have a good time there you must be dead. They have condos, a health spa, boat rentals, golf and a great little town. We went to the playhouse twice and saw Smoke on the Mountain and a Varity show. The same cast did both productions. They were both good but the Varity show was better. The Varity show had music from the 60’s, Motown, disco, gospel, and more. We, also, ate at Patti’s twice. Both meals were great. When we left home we were sure we would lose weight on the boat trip. Wrong. We have eaten our way across the south. Tonight is a buffet at the park lodge with, roast beef, catfish, pork loin and fried chicken with dressing, vegetables, salad bar, rolls, hushpuppies, assorted desserts and ice cream. All you can eat $8.95. No weight loss tonight. The weather has been great in the 70’s during the day and upper 40’s at night with no rain. Leaves are starting to become orange and red however; there is still a lot of green. Green Turtle is the land of big boats and I mean big like hotels. We have a few pictures.  Jo Ann had a good football weekend Alabama won. Tennessee took the week off to rest up for the game this Saturday. Tomorrow we go to Pebble Isle Marina and then to Clifton City Marina, TN. Our Friday and Saturday stop will be at Aqua Marina in Iuka, MS for the game of the year Tennessee vs. Alabama. One of us will be a winner or a loser. 

Nashville

Leaves changing- coming in to Prizer marina

Pelicans on the Cumberland River going south

Campground by Prizer Marina

We are now at Prizer Point Marina and Resort at Cadiz, KY. It has a KOA campground as part of the marina. There are swimming pools, miniature golf, and other activities. We have been here since Thursday Oct 7 so we could see football (not a good day) and it is cheaper to stay here than our next marina. We plan to leave Wed. Oct 13 for Green Turtle Bay Marina at Grand Rivers, KY. We have reservations at the Bagdett Playhouse to see Smokey on the Mountain Homecoming- Friday and a Variety! Music, Memories & More- Saturday. We do hope the shows are good. Green Turtle is a resort with restaurants, condos, golf, health club, indoor pool and more. Things are going great. The leaves are changing; Canadian Geese and White Pelicans are everywhere. Coming to Prizer we saw over 1000 Pelicans in the river migrating south. The groups looked like large islands of white. We usually have 3or 4 in our canal each year but not a 1000. The geese go by honking; you may not see them but you can sure hear them. What great sights and sounds.

Nashville

Poston Block- 1841- note furniture and undertaking- you could get both. 

Customs house and Museum built 1898

Montgomery County Courthouse built 1878 &1900 after fire

Black Horse Pub -- 1996

Roxy Theatre 1912

We have had a great day in Clarksville, TN. Got up slow and had breakfast and then walked over to Black Horse Pub for lunch. They make their own beer. We had a great lunch. After lunch we went on a walking tour of the city. Clarksville, TN is a city with many old and unique buildings and is located on hills overlooking the river. What a workout we had- up and down – up and down. We also, found a live theatre (Roxy Regional Theatre) with a new production each month. As happens many times they had just finished one play and will not start another until after we leave. Looks like a great place to go. Tomorrow we leave for the Prizer Point Marina and Resort at Cadiz, KY (mm 55.0). We are planning to stay there a few days and then move to Green Turtle Bay at Grand Rivers, KY (mm 31.7). Green Turtle is where Patti’s 1880’s Restaurant and a Variety Playhouse are located and we plan to attend.  Of course each marina we stay at on the weekend must be able to show the Alabama and Tennessee games. It is part of cruise planning.

Nashville

Cousin Richard

Cousin Teresa

Cousins Jim, Will, Richard, Carl

We have left Nashville at 09:35 am and expect to be home in November. It depends on our stops and how long we stay. We are now at Rock Harbor Marina on the west side of Nashville. Tomorrow we will be going to Clarksville, TN and staying 2 nights. The temperature has really changed. Coming to Nashville we were completely soaked in our t-shirts. However, today our shirts were dry and temperature was in the 70’s. What a wonderful change. Tonight we are looking for frost in Nashville and Clarksville will be going down to freezing. The leaves are starting to change. We can see a difference from when we came up. We want to thank our cousins for a wonderful time in Nashville and helping with our trip. The food, fellowship, and hospitality were great. We do hope each of them will come and visit us so we can try and be as gracious to them as they were to us. The Castle family (Richard and Cathy) housed, fed, and transported us for many days. The Galbreath family (Teresa and Jim) made us great boating baskets which had everything you could think of from snacks to writing materials to beauty/health items and also provided dinner. Cousin Bill Bryant took us to dinner and on our weekly Wal-Mart run. Thanks to each of you for making our trip very special. We are looking forward to our trip home. We will stopping in Grand River, KY for a play and variety show and of course Patti’s Restaurant, Clarksville, TN for a city tour, Columbus, MS for a city tour and our camera which we left in their car. Also, we will be stopping at the fresh water pearl dealer at Birdsong Marina in TN.  It was a little windy today but Adventure did not care. It was a great trip.

Nashville

Cousin Bill Bryant and Gretchen

Creekwood Marina-- Hendersonville, TN

Well here is a little catch up.  We are currently in Hendersonville, TN, at the Creekwood Marina about 15 miles north of Nashville. We visited my cousin Bill Bryant who lives about a block from the Gallatin Marina in Gallatin, TN for two days. Gallatin Marina channel is hard to find and easy to get  into 2 feet of water quickly. We made it. We had dinner at the Cherokee Marina Steakhouse next door to Reba’s house and farm. We were disappointed she did not have dinner with us! Also, went to a great Chinese Buffet, saw Alabama win and Tennessee skate by. We had a great visit with him. We have been in the Nashville area now since Sept 18. We have visited with cousins, eaten out, had oil changed in motor at Boathouse Marine, motored on Old Hickory Lake- get out of channel and you will run aground, watched football and generally just hung out, read books and napped. Having lived in Nashville most of my live we have not gone downtown and visited. Tonight is the grand reopening of the Grand Old Opry in the Opry House after the spring flood. The city of Nashville is all excited. Last night we had a Dominos pizza delivered and tonight we will be eating at Steamboat Bill’s which is just across from the marina. We have a TV tuner for our computer so we are not TVless. The temperature now is now 67 and going down to 49. We are staying warm. We are planning to start back to Gulf Breeze on October 4th or 5th and arrive back home between November 5- 15. We are currently working on our new float plans which will have new and different stops but same rivers and locks (16) coming home.

Nashville

Part of Fort Nashboro on river in Nashville

Nashville Skyline

Nashville

Yesterday, I talked about the people walking/jogging by who had on the proper walking/jogging outfits and the other who did not. After great reflection, I realized that the people in outfits were young, slender, and good looking. I need to get an outfit! It must be the outfit that causes this. Tonight (9-17-10), we are in the city limits of Nashville and only 48 miles and one last lock from our last stop on our trip to Nashville.  Today, we have arrived in Hendersonville, TN (Old Hickory Lake) and are docked at the Creekwood Marina which is about 20 miles from Nashville. We had a great dinner with ice cream and will be spending some nights with our cousins on dry land. It has been a wonderful trip. Over the next weeks we will be doing some tourist things around Nashville, getting some engine maintenance, and planning our trip home to see maximum fall leaves. 

Nashville

Tugs at work

Walking on water

Park Activities

Tonight (9-15-10) we are in Clarksville, TN docked at their free dock (McGregor Park) with electricity. It is a great deal. We had to call for permission to stay. Today we hit a log. I was daydreaming and bang. We were blessed it only knocked a piece out of our anti-cavitation plate. Engine and prop are o.k. It was just a learning experience. There is a little vibration in steering wheel but not engine. We also found out how to run aground but not hard aground. We are now experienced in that. We did not study the charts good and went out of the marked channel instead of stopping and checking to see where the channel went. It was just another learning experience. God made both experiences just little experiences not major problems. The weather for Thursday is calling for 10-15 k winds with gust to 25 knots with thunderstorms. We have not been on Cheatham Lake before so do not know what to expect. We may stay here in Clarksville one more night. Friday weather is calling for calm winds. We stayed in Clarksville today (9-16-10). The weather was not as bad as predicted. Oh well it is better safe than sorry. Last night I had a new sandwich. It was called a club sandwich which we had at a very local restaurant just across from the river. The club came with spam, bacon, cheese, tomato and lettuce. It was good but different. Today, we spent the day watching the river and reading and of course lots of naps. We watched barges, boats, sticks, tires, trash and bottles float by and saw tourist, walkers of all ages, joggers, dog walkers and fishermen walked by. Some of the people stopped to talk to us and others just looked. We watched as 2 tugs work all day to move 6 barges of sand and take off 9 empty ones. Saw a man come down for a smoke and try to walk on water. Also, saw several fishermen catch nothing. Walkers and joggers either had the proper uniform for their activity (tight shorts and halter top- matching) or just whatever they had to wear (T-shirt and short of many types). Dog walkers usually had 2 dogs. Some of the really small dogs we could not see from the boat so it looked like the people were walking their leash. Tomorrow we move to West Nashville to Rock Harbor Marina. Also, we complete our next to last lock and dam (Cheatham Dam) before Nashville. Next day we lock at Old Hickory Lake Dam and stay at Drakes Creek Marina in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

Nashville

KY Prison

Chicken by Candle Light

Today, we passed Kentucky’s only maximum- security prison called the Castle on the Cumberland. The main building was completed in 1888.  Its only claim to fame is that on Friday, July 13, 1928 seven men were executed. It is a record for legal executions in one day for the U. S. We are now on the Cumberland River only 130 miles from Nashville at Lake Barkley State Park Marina. It is on a 2.5 mile so-so marked channel into marina. The channel is a 12 foot depth channel at normal pool (359 above sea level) However, the pool now is 3 feet below normal at 356. You must stay in channel or else. We will not stop here going home. This marina requires that you show proof of insurance. Luckily this spring when we drove our trip; they told us their policy. We had a copy of our insurance policy with us. They want you to have at least $300,000 liability. This is the only marina on the whole trip that has asked for proof of insurance and for us to sign a lease agreement full of” be nos”- be no this – be no that. It must be Kentucky laws. We found out that pump out at state parks is expensive. Here they charge $20.00 and at Paris Landing $10.00. We only have a 10 gallon sewage tank. The commercial people pump out for free when you buy gas or only $5.00. I guess the moral to the story is: he who pumps gets what he wants. There is no phone service under the metal docks so you have to walk out to the road to make a phone call. This is maybe 300-400 feet. Had our first oh no what now moment. Called the Park’s main desk to get internet code, they would not give it to us. We had to get it from the marina. Called the marina, the girl there said, “I do not know it. You are the first to ask me that- I’m new”. You have to call Clift West. We called and he’s not in office. We can’t get calls on boat. Long story short, we now have the code after walking to marina office. Things here are quite. Jo Ann and I may cook at home tonight instead of buffet at park lodge. We have had two big dinners at Patti’s last two nights. Looks like chicken by candle light. Great meal- dear!

Nashville

Lighthouse Landing Marina

Inside grounds of Patti's Restaurant

Entrance to Lighthouse Landing Marina

Lighthouse Landing Marina what a great little place.-a sailboat marina. We are one of maybe three power boats in the place. I have pictures for you sailors that are following our blog. This place has a RV park, cabins, Patti’s 1880 Settlement restaurant and shops, Branson-style live theater/playhouse, and more. If you get a chance to stop on your way to somewhere else or just come here you will have fun. http://www.grandrivers.org/ We had a great dinner at Patti’s. No, I do not work for the Chamber of Commerce. This morning we awoke to a temperature of 56 degrees outside. Heater is running. Jo Ann has folded the holey blanket in half so now we have double holes – much warmer?? We do have another blanket. Fall is on the way. As we set out on our back patio you hear many sounds. The lines hitting the sailboat masts sound like a very large wind chime, birds chirping, the steamboat whistle  of the lock master signaling that it is clear to leave the lock ( we are only 2 miles below KY Lock and Dam) and Canada geese honking in v formation as they arrive for the winter. I wish I had gotten a picture of the geese. It was a perfect v. Coffee, cool weather, and the sounds make for a wonderful morning. We plan to stay tonight for another great lunch/dinner (another great meal was had) and move on tomorrow to Lake Barkley State Resort Park, Cadiz KY. Tomorrow, we will enter the Cumberland River thru the Barkley Canal (about 1.5 miles long) which connects the Tennessee River (KY Lake) and Cumberland River (Barkley Lake) so you do not have to go all the way to the Ohio River to enter the Cumberland from the Tennessee.

Nashville

View from Dining Room window of KY Lake

Main Lodge Building

Just a little place to stay on the weekends- nice houseboat

It is a rainy day in Paris. We arrived at Paris Landing State Park in Buchanan, TN on September 8. We plan to stay here until Sunday 12th. ESPN and ESN2 will have the UT and Alabama games Saturday which we will be watching. I told Jo Ann before we started the trip. I would take her to Paris. She has been looking for the Elfie Tower for the last two days. This is a great place to stay especially at $.70 per foot/ night dockage which includes water, electric, internet, cable TV. They have a golf course (we do not play). Also, there is a lodge and cabins. Friday is seafood at the lake night at the restaurant. Looks like a great buffet. We have our plans now made to Nashville. Had a little planning problem with finding gas but have that solved now. We plan to be in Nashville on Friday, September 17 at Drake Creek Marina- Hendersonville, TN- . We have a stop planned in Grand Rivers, KY at Patti’s and Bill’s Restaurant. Our cousins Richard and Cathy took us here on one of our trips to Nashville. It is a great place to eat, shop, and see. Last night after 67 years I have had frog legs for dinner. Yes, it does taste like chicken but chicken is better. The frog legs were on the Friday seafood buffet at the park lodge. Vols lose 48-13 to Oregon. Alabama wins vs. Penn State 24-3.Next stop Lighthouse Landing Marina; Grand Rivers, KY.

Nashville

Adventure at Pebble Isle Marina- New Johnsonville, TN

Today was a down day at Pebble Isle Marina. We did laundry, showered, shopped and napped. Tomorrow, we move to Paris Landing State Park Marina/Resort at Buchanan, TN (TN mm 66.1). Golf course, lodge/cabins, and restaurant are all there. We have stayed on the boat every night since we left home. It is home now. The bed sleeps great, food is good, and we know where things are - almost- however; there not many places to look. We are still working on our plans for the trip. After we get to Nashville we may have time to go on east up the Cumberland to its navigation end at Celina, TN.  The fall colors should start earlier there. We will just have to see how the plans go. It has been cloudy all day with a breeze, however; the temperature was still in the 90’s but it was only 68 this morning. It is raining now. That is great. It washes Adventure and sound really good on our boat top. Tonight we had pizza from our oven and salad, drink, and dessert—Little Debbie oatmeal pies, crunch ‘n munch and coffee. We have now used all of our cooking appliances – electric skillet, coffee pot, microwave, and toaster over. They will all run on 30A shore power or our generator. All the food has been great. It does not look like we will lose weight on this cruise. Food is available 24 hours a day. It is almost just like being on Royal Caribbean – not.

Nashville

(TN mm126.5 ) Don's house with uncompleted Light House-- Don Milam suggested Pebble Isle Marina-- Thanks Dan

We are now at Pebble Isle Marina (TN mm 96.0) in New Johnsonville, TN. Things still going great. The nights are getting cooler and we have had to use the heater. However; it is great not to sweat and drip just when you standup. It only being 89 degrees instead of 92 is a big difference. This morning it was 59 outside. We ate out again. Homemade barbeque cooked outback of the restaurant. It was great. I must talk about our holey blanket. A religious story this is not. Jo Ann brought a blanket with holes in it. We put a sheet over it to cover up the holes. I do not know if the hole keeps the cold out or the warm in. I do hope we have another blanket and it does not have holes especially if it gets really cold. I believe you call our current blanket a knitted blanket.  We saw lots of people out this weekend. We believe we must have seen every boat in Tennessee pulling someone on a tube, water skiing, anchored, fishing or going as fast as they could go. The Clifton Marina was packed with kids, moms and dads all wanting something. I am not sure they knew what they wanted just something. The band last night was ok. However; they did not keep us awake. We were planning to stop at Cuba Landing Marina today but this morning a visitor, Dan Milam, told us Pebble Isle was nicer so here we are. We may stay here a few days and cut out a few days at other places. We will sleep on it. The river is still beautiful.

Nashville

Homes on Tenn-Tom and Tennessee River

Bluffs of the Tennessee River

Cherry Mansion - Gen Grant (4/6/1862) had breakfast here before the Battle of Shiloh

We had a great time at Aqua Harbor Marina in Iuka, Ms. Iuka is the home of world famous Woodall’s Mountain- the highest point in Mississippi. At 806 feet it towers over the Mississippi countryside. We went to Corinth, Ms and visited the Dairy Crème and of course Wal-Mart. Ice Cream is Jo Ann’s most favorite food in the entire world. She was delighted at the ice cream stop for lunch. We toured old Corinth. We did not know that it was a important Civil War Battle site. Tennessee Vols won first game 50-0. Next week will be a different story. We watched the game at Freddy T’s in Counce, TN. It is a Sports Bar/Restaurant/Bar just across the MS border. The game was on pay for view. Someone had paid to see the Alabama game but we got the UT game instead. What luck? Jo Ann was disappointed; but she cheered for UT anyway. 50-0 UT was the score. I do not expect to see that score again this year. The score or wins. Go Vols. We are how in Clifton City, TN on the Tennessee River at a small marina. The Tennessee River is very pretty with stone bluffs, lots of river houses- from weekender trailers/cabins to very large mansions, and deep green water. Our marina maybe has 50-60 boats. It is a big change from the 700 boats Aqua Marina. There are lots of people coming and going for food, snacks and gas on Memorial Day weekend. They will have a live band here tonight 8 pm until midnight. I do hope we like their music. We are parked about 100 feet from the band. The first mate/cook has informed the captain she is off tonight. We will be eating at the Clifton City Marina Snack bar. I can’t wait for hot dogs, hamburgers, other exotic sandwiches, fries and etc. Jo Ann wants to help the local economy. 

Nashville

Aqua Marina from our dining table

Cafe' St Clair

Sunrise over Pickwick Lake

What a wonderful morning and night. We had a beautiful sunrise and a great dinner at Café St. Clair at Aqua Marina.  Jo Ann had Beef Tenderloin and I had Shrimp Scampi. Both were great. Tomorrow is football day. We will not be able to get either the Tennessee or Alabama games on TV; however maybe we will be able to listen to them. The parking lots are filling up with Labor Day weekend boaters. This is last big weekend of the summer for Tennessee. All the swimming pools closed and school started right after Labor Day when I was growing up.  The marina is very large. It has over 700 boats in it. We got our computer hooked up to the cable system today so now we have 29 channels we can watch on the computer-- some football games can be seen. Tomorrow we have a trip to Corinth, MS and eating at Pickwick Lake State Park planned. Jo Ann is reading her second book and has finished three magazines. I am still on my first book. I have been using the computer to much. It is really pretty on the water with no trash along the banks, everyone really polite and time moving real slow. No one is in a hurry for your parking spot or shopping cart. The weather is cooling off. It is forecast to go down into the 50s next few nights. We have a heater so all will be good.