Well, hello from Tennessee! Yes, indeed, we’ve headed south, and are moving along at a pace that works very well with Hurricane Ida stirring things up on the Gulf Coast.
We actually stayed in Green Turtle Bay until Saturday morning. But this time when the power cord came in, it stayed in, and the lines came off and we were underway!
The Tennessee Valley is a beautiful one. We’ve missed the peak leaf season, as the rain beat many leaves off the trees, but there still is much color and the sights are interesting and varied.
As the map shows, for the first 75 or so miles south ot the dams--Kentucky Lake and Barcley Lake--the Tennessee and Cumberland run pretty much parallel. The ‘Land Between the Lakes’ is a national park designated by President Kennedy. This is a wonderful area for boating (we passed a sailboat race) fishing (boats are everywhere--crappie, catfish and sauger, a cousin to the walleye, are the most prevelant) camping (the shores are virtually littered with RV’s) and just general enjoyment. To quote Quimby’s Cruising Guide, the LBL “offer(s) a variety of cultural, educational and recreatioal opportunities for any lifestyle, age group or vacation budget”.
On Saturday night we stopped at the Paris Landing State Park Marina/Resort. Many of the Marinas along the River (80 on Kentucky Lake alone, according to Quimby’s) offer cabins as well as boaters facilities, and golf courses abound. Here we noticed the signpost pictured, which was another graphic demonstration of the work of the Tennessee Valley Authority. This agency was created by an Act of Congress in 1933 for the purpose of developing the water resources of the Tennessee River. As the Tennessee flows west and southwest (and due north where we are now) from it’s headwaters in Knoxville, TN, it empties into the Ohio River back at Paducah. The Ohio is running downstream (very fast) to the Mississippi, which is roaring along toward New Orleans. Thus, the series of dams constructed on the Tennessee (and also the Cumberland, which also feeds into the Ohio just 12 miles further upstream) provide a means to mechanically restrict (or enhance) the amount of water flowing downstream. Before the water gets too high at New Orleans, the volume, and height can be reduced (or elevated) anywhere along the system.
That is the super simplified version of what happens, and would probably make any Army Corps of Engineers guy (they monitor the flow rate at the dams) twitch. For our purposes, what matters is that we’re having to fight very little current right now as the water is above ‘summer pool’ level. Therefore, very little water is being released to run against us.
It is interesting that so many buildings, marinas, restaurants, etc. are built to float. At GTB during the heavy rain, the walkway from the office to the shore went from about a 20 degree slope (away from land) to level as the water elevation increased by more than a foot per day. In the spring, we’re told, the 20 degree slope goes the other way, and the bottom of the roadway is submerged.
In any case, it is fascinating. Add the man made wonders to the geological wonders and the history, and this is a pretty neat trip.
Speaking of history, between Paris Landing and Johnsonvville is the site of one of the biggest Confederate victories of the Civil War. To read about it, google Gen. Nathan B. Forrest, the hightest ranking officer to enter an American army as a private. Apparently we cruised over the remains of 33 Union ships he was responsible for sinking in this stretch of the Tennessee.
Sunday night we tied up at the Cuba Landing Marina. Small and quiet, the high point was my purchase of a new coffee mug in the ship’s store.
And so it is Monday. We’re moving toward Mississippi--the state this time. Fred’s back is co-operating--knock on wood--and he’s taking very good care of it. So until next week, we’ll sign off, wishing you good health and lots of laughter!
Fred and Linda
No comments:
Post a Comment