Another short drive to Northern Tennessee. We are staying at a COE (Corps of Engineers) campground. The east has many of them – all built by the Army Corp of Engineers, all around water (this one is on the Cumberland River, which because of the dam, is more like a lake). We all agree this is now our favorite spot. There is a lot of barge activity on this river, and it is so cool to see them go through the Locks. I don’t know how they steer these things, but a tug at the rear pushes up to 8 huge barges up or down the river, into the locks, and out the other side. Guess you definitely have to know what you are doing. The campground is all along 1 street, one side right on the river, the other a short distance. Even being on the wrong side of the street, we can see the river easily. But Bill and Debbie are right on the river – guess where we hang out?
We are so content to just stay here at the campground. A small town is about 20 minutes away, but other than taking care of business, we just like hanging here. Here and Kentucky the mosquitoes have eased up, so we are able to sit outside after dark. Been real nice, clear skies so tons of stars. Finally able to have a fire!
Marsha and I wanted to go into Nashville (maybe want is too strong a word for me). We needed some wedding clothes so figured this was the place. Of course while there we drove into the tourist areas – amazing the number of cranes throughout the city. This place is building up rapidly. Tons of bars with music blasting – hey it is the Music Capital of the World, right? I tried to get Marsha to go to the Grand Ol’e Opery but no show until 7:30 at night. Too late for us, y’all.
This was a great place. It was about a 5 mile bike ride along the river to the Locks. We were able to see some barges enter and leave the lock – really is amazing to watch. There was an Osprey nest on a tower – the baby bird was left on his own only days before and we saw it leave the nest. Beautiful!
Marsha wants to come back to the Nashville area. When we do come back we’d love to stay at this place. As we are finding, 5 nights is not long enough in these great places, but we are blessed to be here at all. As usual, time flies and it’s time again to move on.
