Cumberland River 9/14 - 9/20

We left Kuttawa and headed for Lake Barkley State Park where we tied up to their day use dock in front of the lodge.  This is normally used only for day use for boaters wishing to eat in the lodge dining room.  We did eat there and we were able to stay on the dock for two nights.  This time of year is apparently very slow so they did not mind us overnighting on the dock.  There is no power or water available so there is no cost to the lodge.

While there we looked at the hiking trails, tried out heavy equipment and watched the local wildlife hunting along the riprap wall.

We left Barkley State Park and headed towards Dover.  We wanted to get into a creek very close to Ft. Donelson but the water was already dropped to winter pool and the entrances were too shallow.  We moved on up about 3 miles and anchored behind Dover island.  We took a chance on the rain and dinghied back to the city of Dover and Ft. Donelson. 

Ft. Donelson was a Confederate fort during the Civil War that protected the Cumberland river access to Clarksville and Nashville.  It was lost to U.S. Grant early in the war and was a major blow to the Confederacy but made General Grant a household name.

Batteries along the Cumberland

Ft. Donelson National Cemetary (Civil War as well as all other wars)

Inside typical log hut for troops stationed at the fort.

Hotel where surrender was negotiated

While we were walking around in Dover I spotted a barber shop and stopped in for a long overdue haircut.  I highly recommend this shop.

While traveling up the river we have seen various animals; some of which we are actually able to get a photo.

Deer grazing in the new growth since the water was dropped.

Rare white pelicans congregating on a small piece of exposed land.

From Dover island we have moved on up to Clarksville.  The city provides a free dock with power.  We will wait here until Wednesday when we have guests arriving to make the trip to Nashville.  While here we have found a Harbor Freight Tools store to browse and we were able to watch the University of Georgia football game Saturday night at a local establishment.

We have two other boats here with us that we met when we were visiting Green Turtle Bay marina (Barefoot Shoes and Potest Fieri).  They have been traveling together somewhat and one was headed up river and the other down and ended up on the dock here with us. 

On Sunday we attended a local church here in town that was established in 1828.   The sermon was interesting and the building was beautiful. 

It has been raining off and on for days but we have not had the major storm activity that has been going on east of us.  We are feeling the effects of it in the river as the water level has risen and there is much debris coming downstream.  On of the boats with us left at 6:30 this morning headed for Nashville and turned around in a couple of hours due to a log jam that was impassable.  We are hoping a tow with barges comes through and breaks it up before it gets to us in a somewhat single mass.  Sometime later tonight we will probably find out.

I am pleased to see that my brightwork is holding up well in the weather.  I am glad I was able to get some fresh coats on before we left Goose Pond.  Even though it looked just about like this after 3 years, it is always good to freshen it up before problems arise.

Clarence and Sally Wall from Chattanooga are due to arrive on Wednesday and will travel with us to Nashville.  After that we will head further upstream and then pick up more guests in Nashville on the way back down river.