Celebrations!

14 Years!

Happy, Happy Birthday sweet Remy! July 1, 2007, was a great day! We are so blessed and happy she is traveling with us on the loop. She has slowed with age, but still is that fun, sassy, sweet girl. She is adjusting to the full time extended cruising life, not sure she would choose all the long cruising days and all the steps in and out of the boat, but for the most part she has created her own routine and done very well. Remy loves the water whether floating, fishing, or paddle boarding. She is also consumed with laying in front of the fan while we cruise. Today, we celebrate this pup!

We continued cruising up the Cumberland River and left the recreational wonderland of Lake Barkley behind. These are new waters to us, and they did not disappoint. The Cumberland River south of Lake Barkley is beautiful. Gone are the many commercial vessels, industries using the river as their home port, and most other busy life. It is serene, quiet and green this time of year. Wildlife abounds. The Cumberland River is 688 miles long beginning in Harlan County, Kentucky and ending at the Ohio River in Livingston County. We will traverse just about one third of the river. It would appear we could travel about 100 miles further though amenities are limited and locakge at the Cordell Hull lock and dam is even more limited.

It is a narrow river compared to what we are used to on the Ohio River. You might compare it a bit to the Kentucky River without hearing banjo’s in the background. A few tourists were on the riverbank at Fort Donelson. The lower batteries of the Confederate Army still stand and are quite pronounced on the riverbank.

According to Wikipedia – The Battle of Fort Donelson was fought from February 11–16, 1862, in the Western Theater of the American Civil War. The Union capture of the Confederate fort near the Tennessee–Kentucky border opened the Cumberland River, an important avenue for the invasion of the South. The Union’s success also elevated Brig. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant from an obscure and largely unproven leader to the rank of major general, and earned him the nickname of “Unconditional Surrender” Grant.

Our cruise continued through Nashville. There was a time when the bright lights, sequins, cowboys in boots, and the honkytonks were too much to pass up. Tasha spent twenty years in the radio broadcasting business and had her share of visits to Nashville to hob knob with the stars – but this voyage did not include a stop on Broadway to hear live music. But, it sure was neat to see the city from the water.

Our cruise on the Cumberland after Lake Barkley was nearly 150 miles and then we reached Old Hickory Lake near Hendersonville, TN – the east side of Nashville. It was another Kentucky / Tennessee oasis, these states are privy to some of the most beautiful lakes in the country. The setting could not be any better as the deep riverbed winds through the wide shallow lake. The Captain needed to stay alert and follow the nuns and cans as it would be easy to run afoul as seen by the wildlife, trees, and volleyball net in the water. Everywhere you look, was more beautiful. We have thought we would use this trip to find out where we might want to land next, and this was our first – I could live here moment. I am sure there will be many more – we will just have to find a moment we can afford! We have cruised nearly 600 miles on two rivers, locked through 8 times, set foot in three states, and docked at nine locations in our first two weeks.

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We will stay on Old Hickory Lake for a few days to await friends joining us and share in celebrating this great county of ours. Happy Birthday Remy and America!

Cheers! D, T & R