scott

Clarksville Marina TN – Green Turtle Bay Marina KY

 Nashville to Florida  No Responses »
Dec 282016
 

Leaving the amazing Clarksville Marina early this morning wasn’t too bad with the sun shining and temps in the 40’s. Every book will say that there is no marina at Clarksville. It is so new and offers the transient boater lots of amenities. Don’t miss this beautiful city as you make your way to Nashville.

We passed several barges on the sides of the river receiving their bounty. From sand, grain, coal, scrap metal and the odd combustible barges were being filled on the shores. We passed a ferry that catered to the motorist wanting to pass over The Cumberland. Fort Donelson with its canons facing west at the ready for The Union and Confederate battle that took place at the civil war are seen easily by any passing boat. The migrating egrets that were stationed on sandbars by the thousands were a gorgeous site on a sunny day.

On the shore is the maximum security state penitentiary that houses Kentucky’s worst criminals. It still uses the electric chair. The prison was constructed in the 1800’s and looks more like a castle than it does a prison.

Cruising along the river we eventually get to Barkley Lake where it widens into open spaces with several spots to anchor. We are headed to Green Turtle Bay Marina but not before we pass several fisherman in their camo boats and decoys by the hundreds. This is serious duck hunting grounds. The odd tree stands at full attention on a sand bar in the middle of no where.

Upon reaching GTB Marina we diesel up and find our slip in #5. I start laundry and the boys head off for a hike. Domestic chores have to be done so vacuuming is a must too. The boys come back excited about seeing 7 deer or reindeer. They had long tails. There is a feeder that sprays feed at exactly 7:00 AM so the deer come around at various times just to find the odd dropping from the mornings feast.

We do take a swim in the indoor pool area where Aiden tries out his new face mask, snorkel and fins. Perfect fit. Thanks Aunt Heather and Uncle Joe. we have keys to the courtesy jeep and need a few groceries. Also we’re off to see the city of Grand River and its Christmas Lights at Patti’s Restaurant where they do a million light display until January. I’m sure we’ll have pics for tomorrow’s post.

 Posted by at 12:17 AM

Harpeth Island – Nashville, TN

 2015, Buffalo NY to Nashville  No Responses »
Aug 152015
 

Today marks the last night of our journey.  Leaving Harpeth Island with only about 40 miles left to go it is bittersweet.  I know we will all miss the calm and serenity of these little anchor spots.  The adventure will continue but in a different way as Conductance will sit in her marina slip for approximately one year.  But before that happens we will visit Nashville, TN.  There is a 500 ft city dock available for dockage.  It is by reservation but in our opinion not run well.  I called the number several days ago for the reservation and asked to make one and was politely told that I was not guaranteed a spot even if I made a reservation.  The transients and how they park their boats determines how many boats are on the dock.  There is no harbourmaster and no one is watching the dock.  So we decide to go and see what is up as this makes no sense whatsoever.

Anyway while we travel to Nashville we pass very narrow areas of the river.  It had been dug out by hand in solid rock from when they first decided to connect this river for commerce.  Barges and their tows make their way this way so it must be wide enough for those big puppies.  We didn’t pass one barge and tow on this portion of the narrow winding river.  I’m certain it would have been fine…tight, but fine.  The scenery is still beautiful with the trees and stone on both banks.  Farm land is here too in the low areas of the Nashville Basin, as it’s called.  We must travel a portion of this river for 10 miles that as a crow flies is only 1 mile.  The river winds and turns so much that the boater must takes the long way.

We get closer to Nashville and now can see the AT & T building.  It is referred to as the Batman Building.  You’ll see why in the pics.  The dock has power and water and only one boat on it.  As we get settled we can see a storm brewing in the sky.  We got Conductance all set up with power and water and started to talk about this reservation thing as we had lunch.  The fellow on the phone said we had to leave as the entire dock was full.  One boat and it is full.  Apparently they are all on their way.  So we talk with the other boater.  She said that she has been coming here for decades and has never seen this dock full in any of the years.  Hmmmm.  So we decide to take a walk into the city and see the sites and pop back to the boat to see what is going on.  Apparently Tim McGraw is playing at the Bridgestone Arena.  The city streets are bustling with people everywhere.  Walkers, bikes, and bikes with several people riding on them and a bartender serving drinks with a sober driver at the front of the cart driving.  The drinkers pedal to keep the cart moving.  Lots of fun and singing going on.  Next girls trip has to be here.  There are horse drawn buggies, bike rentals, golf cart rentals, a train to get you around to the different sites, busses.  Any means that you need is available.  Bars are also abundant.  The party never stops and it is only 1:00 pm.  It’s also raining but rain here in the south lasts about 10 minutes and it’s done.

We took the time to stop at a convenience store as we are all out of beer and bread.  Two essentials on a hot day.  We also head over to the State Building which Nashville is the State’s Capitol.  It is a beautiful stop with history and architectural style.  The museum is there as well and built in the same era as the Capitol building.  We saw Coyote Ugly Bar, the 3 storey, fully packed and famous Honky Tonk Bar.  We walked by the Ryman Building which was the original Grand Ole Opry where Elvis and many others performed.  The Johnny Cash museum and so many more.  Too much to see in just one afternoon and evening.

We did end up staying on the dock with 2 boats for the evening.  A far cry from the 500 ft full dock that we were told.  Both of those boats did not expect to be there either.  One was broke down with engine trouble and the other boat was the mechanic’s boat.  Not sure how this place runs but they really should take a lesson from the little town of North Tonawanda, NY.

Scott took some shots of the city at night.  Aiden was exhausted and headed to bed.  Tomorrow we travel to our home for the next year where Conductance will have some maintenance done and a good thorough cleaning.

 Posted by at 8:30 PM

Hickman Creek – Harpeth Island (on the hook)

 2015, Buffalo NY to Nashville  No Responses »
Aug 142015
 

We left the hidden gem of Hickman Creek, at Fort Donelson, to go to Harpeth Island to stay on the hook once again. This is our favourite way of boating. To stay on the hook for several nights and see so much nature, history or whatever the destination has to offer us makes boating.

We travelled down the Cumberland River to Cheatham Lock. It was a slow lock to fill and took about a half hour to lock through. Darn it’s hot here. Sitting on the bow waiting to lock up with a lifejacket on just makes the job so much more difficult. I always come back on the boat and down a water and take off the T shirt that is now soaked.

After Cheatham Lock we find mile 153 on the Cumberland River and enter to our starboard down a narrow area of about 25 feet deep to an open pool of water 7 feet deep. There we anchor. It’s a busy place with several day tripper boaters passing through to go further up this small alcove to beautiful rock bluffs.

We drop Low Voltage and take her up the river further. It’s so peaceful with those 300 foot rock bluffs towering on one side and low lying farm land on the other. The boaters here consider this one of the most beautiful anchor spots available on the Cumberland River.  We pass a campground and also pass under a bridge. The water runs slowly so there is debris but nothing the dingy can’t handle. This little river runs a long way so we turn around after about a half hour and slowly make our way back to Conductance.

It’s a comfortably hot afternoon. The sounds of locusts is deafening as it has been everytime we stop here in the the warmer south. We are now only about 40 miles from Nashville. We meet a wakeboard boat and chat them up for awhile. The young fellas just started wakeboarding about 3 months ago. So of course I had to let them know about Scott’s history with boarding. As a past Provincial Champion (yes, I’m proud of him for that accomplishment) he answers all their questions and gives them some tips. They were a lot of fun.

We stay up long enough to hear the sounds of the day enter into the sounds of the night with frogs croaking and locusts going to sleep. The stars are not as bright tonight being so much closer to Nashville and more light pollution. We did have a stunning sunset and shortly after that we head to bed for a good night’s sleep.

Tomorrow is NASHVILLE!!!

 

 Posted by at 8:24 PM

Green Turtle Bay Marina, Grand Rivers, KY – Hickman Creek, Fort Donelson, (on the hook)

 2015, Buffalo NY to Nashville  No Responses »
Aug 132015
 

I ran into town with the courtesy van to get groceries. Scott got caught up on work related issues. Aiden slept. By the time I got back the last load of laundry was done and now we get ready to shove off to go anchor in a small bay.

Along the Cumberland River we see an old castle style building.  After reviewing its history it turns out to be a penitentiary.  It stands so statuesque on the hillside.  We see osprey nests, more blue herons and tons of remnants of what this river must have looked like prior to the flooding after the locks were made.  The bluffs and cliffs along this tiny old river must have been a sight.  Now most of them are underwater but still hold a view all to their own.

At mile 87.7 on the Cumberland there is a small charted “bay” to anchor in. We travel from mile 31 at Green Turtle to 87.7 on the river and realize all the structure under Barkclay Lake. Submerged bridges, roads, you name it. When they made the locks to control the Cumberland they just flooded the areas without much thought. The original Cumberland was a small riverbed and that is the channel that us boaters must follow even though “the lake” looks like you can cross it any which way. On the zigzaging journey you will see, just outside the channel, birds sitting on land just below the surface, trees growing on islands in the middle of nowhere. Then you have to pass a barge.

Arriving at our destination we are met with a small opening in the river to where the depth are supposed to be 7 feet at pool. We go in slowly. Following the channel in we are met with a beautiful “bay” and Fort Donalson. Fort Donelson was the stronghold of the Confederates during the civil war that the Union, under the direction of Ulysses Grant, took over and changed the war. It was this very spot that 13,000 Confederates gave up the fort to a 2 ships and a very large Union army coming in from land. It changed the civit war as the Cumberland River was the strenght of the south. Now in Union hands they were able to take Nashville and continue south until the war ended. History is everywhere in this little area.

The boys went on a hike to investigate the history while I slept off a headache.  After dropping in the dingy they went to the fort and walked the trail that many Union and Confederate troops did.  The history of the United States of America was made here.  As Canadians we don’t know much about the history but we do know of a civil war.  What a great experience for Aiden to live!

This bay did not disappoint for the evening as well.  Frogs and locust sounds, fish jumping and a gorgeous night sky with Nashville’s hue of lights in the distance.  Stunning and quiet.

 

 

 Posted by at 12:56 PM

Little Current – on the dry

 2015, Buffalo NY to Nashville  1 Response »
Jul 082015
 

Looking at the lift this morning was a sad moment.  We decided that with the damage to mainly the props, new props would be in order.  The props had to be ordered and would take a week to come in.  Scott had a look at them and thought perhaps a repair could be done.  The main guy says new props for sure.  So after looking into new ones for this beast it will be a week.  We are now on the hard and going home.

If you don’t take the bad with the good it is hard to know the good.  That is our motto today.  We are not loving the circumstances but given how many miles we have put on Conductance over the years this is our first mistake.  Our vacation plans are not ruined, nor are our plans derailed.  Our plans have merely changed.  In a boater’s life you can’t take your set plans too seriously.  A boater’s life is always in flux, not much different from our real life away from the boat.  So that being said, Conductance sits on the hard awaiting 2 new props with an engine that has slightly been moved.  A possible alignment is in order.  We won’t know if the new props will fix any additional damage that we can’t see until she is run in the open water.  We ordered the props from Florida and they are making their way north as we speak.  Conductance will have to sit on the hard for a week.

That being said we will be heading home.  Scott has been booked on a flight to head to work in the States.  He will work while we wait for the shipment of the props.  Aiden and I will head to home and spend some time with friends and family.  The way home isn’t an easy one though.  We looked into flights from Sudbury, buses and taxis.  Nothing available on the island or in Tobermory if we took the Chi-Cheemaun.  So we called Mom.  She is in Haliburton, a 5 hour drive away, with friends.  She is dropping everything to come get us, take us back there for the night to stay in the hotel, then we will all leave and head to the airport to take Scott.  Then  home.  Thanks Mom!

Sitting on the hard Scott says the he just can’t stand the waves!!!  You have to laugh in these situations.

 Posted by at 12:59 PM

Little Current – Sturgeon Cove – Little Current

 2015, Buffalo NY to Nashville  No Responses »
Jul 072015
 

This morning we had rain and overcast skies with a north wind.  We decided to get water and fresh fish from the locals here before shoving off to Sturgeon Cove.  We planned out our next 4 nights on the hook with some recommended anchorages.  After lunch we headed out with the rain stopping and settling north winds.

We thought about staying at a small cove near Mosquito Island on the SW side of Great Cloche Island but had heard so much about Sturgeon Cove that we thought we must try it.  Upon entering Sturgeon Cove we noticed very large rocks just under the water to both port and starboard.  With the water levels 2 feet higher than most have seen in recent years it was with extreme caution that we entered.  Nothing on the charts for these rocks.  Once in the cove 2 sailboats were already there.  It was a bit of a rock in there with the north wind and being on the north side of the island so we thought we would head back to the cove near Mosquito Island.  Exiting the cove we kept watch on the rocks when all of a sudden we contacted.  We knew instantly that we were in trouble.  After getting out a bit Scott opened the hatch to check for incoming water.  We were dry.  So it was decided that we had better contact the repair marina in Little Current and let them know we were coming in.  It was 4:00 by the time we got into the marina.  A lift out to check the damage was postponed until morning.

We spent the night with stiff rum and cokes and a movie.  Early to bed and early to rise for the lift in the morning.

 Posted by at 6:48 PM

Baie Fine “Mary Anne Cove” – Little Current, Manitoulin Island

 2015, Buffalo NY to Nashville  No Responses »
Jul 062015
 

We took our sweet time leaving Mary Ann Cove.  We loved this little spot of paradise the most.  I think because of our luck finding the spot right next to the small bluff, the energetic the walk up Caslin’s Peak, the campfire, and the view.  Now onto the real world again but not without a swim and a lake shower.

We made our way onto the main channel after lunch with SW winds that left us a bit rocky but not too bad.  It is a short trip to Little Current of about 45 minute to 1 hour.  Entering Little Current Channel we were greated with “boat approaching please slow down” on the radio.  The marina near the entrance must have a fella watching for anything approaching.  We were still pretty far out.  We weren’t in the channel yet and Scott would have slowed down when it was required.  So we made our way to the channel and to the swing bridge.  The swing bridge connects the mainland to Manitoulin Island and is the only road access to the island.  The only other access is the Chi-Cheemaun ferry from Tobermory.  We are staying on the seawall at the Town Dock.  The current isn’t as bad as the nautical books say but it is strong by the bridge.  I’m sure it can gust up in here but in reality it isn’t that scary a trek in.

After landing we hooked up the water and power and headed into town.  There are two grocery stores within walking distance.  Scott also stopped at the LCBO for beer.  Aiden also finally got his ice cream.  So now we are all happy campers, or boaters.  The town has a quaint main corridor with everything one would need.  The boardwalk goes to the swing bridge and if you are lucky a boat will be coming through so you can see how it works.  There is a beach at the other end of Spider Bay Marina that is about a 10 minute walk.  So many large boats here too.  We are seeing more boats here than we have along the way.  Maybe the USA boaters have started their way north too.  They make up a lot of the visitors here being so close to this area.

After the shore chores Scott opened up the hatch to look at the engines.  He was prepared to change fuel filters here due to time already on the existing ones.  After a couple hours he was done and cleaned up.  After dinner we took an evening stroll along the boardwalk.  Tomorrow is rain and heavy at times.  We  will not be leaving before noon and still have to plan out our remaining North Channel route.  Stay tuned!

 

 Posted by at 2:45 PM