Back to Rock Harbor

Monday, June 23

Another beautiful morning, mid 60s, light wind and partly cloudy. We ate a leisurely breakfast, cleaned up, and went for a walk around the marina’s park like setting.
About 10:00 we backed out of the slip and headed out. Diana got these pictures of the marina as we left.

We continued up the Cumberland River another five or six miles past the marina, then turned around and headed down river. This is basically beyond Old Hickory Lake, the river is back to just a river.

We enjoyed a beautiful day and saw much that we had missed going up the lake. It is amazing how different things can look going the opposite direction. By the afternoon and in the lake (not river) there was an amazing amount of other boat activity for a Monday. We both commented that we made the right decision staying in our slip on Sunday.

About 3:30 we pulled into the same secluded cove we had used as an anchorage last week. It is just half an hour to the lock tomorrow morning. We BBQ the last of the frozen shrimp and watched the sun set on one more perfect day.

Tuesday, June 24

After a very quite peaceful night at anchor we awoke to another picture perfect morning. Being on the eastern edge of the time zone, the sun comes up very early in the morning.

After our normal leisurely morning routine we were still pulling the anchor and heading out shortly after 8:00. By 8:45 we were in radio contact with the Old Hickory Lock to let him know we would like to lock down. Shortly after we arrived he opened the gates and we were in, down 60 feet and headed out by 9:20.

We cruised slowly down the 25 miles of river to the Nashville Municipal Dock where we had a reservation for the night. This is a public dock; you tie along side, no slips, with electricity.

Along one interesting bluff was a complex of stairs and patio with a small summer building with a small plane on the roof. The sign said “MYHIDEHOLE.COM” I have not had internet access to check it out.

About 6 miles upriver from downtown is the Opryland complex, the General Jackson was loading passengers as we went by. When we got further down river we passed a couple of tows working empty barges. After we passed, one pulled out with three empties and followed us down river.

As we approached our dock which is under a bridge (behind one bridge pier) the tow was only a quarter mile behind us and the Gen Jackson another half mile back. We radioed the tow and told him we would pull to the side of the river to let him go by. Then we circled around and came into the dock before the Jackson got to us.

When we first could see the dock there was another paddle wheeler tied to the city landing 200 yards beyond the municipal dock. A check with the binoculars showed that it was the Delta Queen. The General Jackson came on by and turned around right next to the Delta Queen to go back up river, what a busy river.

We were still too busy getting tied up and the electric plugged in to get a picture. Later in the afternoon the smaller Opryland boat, the Music City Queen, came by and circled in the same place, so we got a picture of it. Just as dark was falling the Gen Jackson was back and Diana tried to get a picture, but it is hard to hand hold for a half second exposure.

After we got tied up, settled in and had a late lunch we walked six blocks up town to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Although neither of us are country music fans it was a very interesting two hours tour, it is very well done. On the way back there was an ice cream shop, how could we resist on a 90 degree afternoon.


Wednesday, June 25

We got up to another nice morning, though already in the low 70s at 7:00 AM. We had breakfast and walked along the river front. We got this picture of Memories tied to the Municipal Dock.

Just beyond where the Delta Queen is tied up is a replica of Fort Nashbourgh. After touring it we headed back to the boat and got underway.

It was a short 16 miles back to Rock Harbor. We got pumped out and then into the slip where the boat will sit until we come back in September.

While we are gone, Gibson will take care of a couple minor warranty items and also a repair item. I didn’t enter in the blog, when we last fueled at Green Turtle Bay while still tied to the fuel dock, a 57 foot cruiser came in and had trouble getting into reverse. His anchor tore and bent one side of our front rail and also put a small nick in the gel coat.

Tomorrow we clean up the boat and pack up; we will leave here by car early Friday and plan on being back in White Bear on Saturday morning.

For those of you watching for fuel economy data we are leaving with the tanks unfilled. We have just over 300 miles since the last fill and a few generator hours. My best guess is we will take about 80 gallons, so right near four mpg. Actual numbers won’t be available until we come back and fuel in September.