Saturday, October 12, 2013

Kentucky Lake Tennessee River 7 Oct-12 Oct



We slowly left Green Turtle Bay and headed out to Kentucky Lake.
Kentucky Lake is beautiful and very much like the north shore but totally different. I loved it! It is one of the largest man made lakes in the world covering about 160,000 acres. In many places there are washed away shores with exposed roots, next a beautiful cliff, followed by sandy stretches.  There are miles of beautiful green then an exquisite house or a row of stilt houses  will rise. “Creeks” and small hideaways run off the lake continuously. 






This house was barely hanging on in that front corner

The square in the centre was a roof of some sort of shed.



This tree was off to our port side one morning in a cove and I couldn’t help but think how beautiful it was.
We made a stop at Pisgah Bay that was a quarry that was flooded when Kentucky lake was formed. The rock walls are covered with graffiti. You would think it was an ugly sight in this beautiful area but really it wasn’t it was just unique. 


Bill told me if I had a dollar for each Heron I saw down the river I would be rich! He was so right.




 
Cool autumn morning on the water with my handsome skipper


Abandoned dockage: it looks wood but it was actually cement

Abandoned railroad bridge with the span gone

The Skipper Bought me A Freshwater Pearl Necklace!

The plan has been to travel between 40-50 miles a day finishing between 4-5 to give us some time to explore the anchorage. Well today was a beautiful morning  and the skippers book was extra good so we didn’t leave until 10 o’clock. We figured that we would just enjoy the day. No sooner had we started when I found a posting for a fresh water pearl farm in Lake Kentucky. So with only 13 miles completed we found a great little anchorage put the motor on the dingy and took off to explore Birdsong resort, marina & freshwater peal farm. This marina is nestled in a quite corner surrounded by many little islands about two miles off the main river.  When we arrive there was a gentleman sitting on a golf cart and we asked him to tell us where the pearl farm and exhibit was. The gentleman was Bob Keast the owner. Once again southern hospitality abounds. Though we weren't staying at the marina he had his marina manager come pick us up, take us to the marina office, gave us a courtesy car, and introduce us to Judy. Judy was a gem or the pearl of the visit. She spent about an hour sharing about pearl fishing and the history of Birdsong pearl farm. 

The story goes that the wealthy John Latendresse met the daughter of a Japanese pearl farmer made her his wife and brought her home to Tennessee. When she saw the country she told him that she could cultivate pearls here. They established eight pilot sites looking for the right location. All failed but one only miles from Johns home. So in 1979 the farm was established. in 1984 John and his wife Chessie harvested there first pearls and the home of North America’s only freshwater pearl farm was established

Mussels found in the Tennessee River have a thicker shell. Nuclei for seeding cultured pearls are created from the mollusk shell making the finished product nacre through out. 

Diver Collecting Mussels

Tennessee annually exports in excess of 50 million tons of mussel shells to foreign countries for their cultured pearl seed collection. Pearls from all over the world wether grown in Tennessee or not originate from Tennessee mussel shell.

Mussel Cage 
I hope I have this right. Live mussels are implanted with nuciel into the membrane of the mollusk shell. Over the incubation period 4-7 years nacre continues to coat the implant. This will create a dome pearl, a mother of pearl and pearl combination. 

Boat with mussel catchers 

This was so interesting. Mussel farmers would drag theses nets (metal rigging)  along the bottom. As the tines would touch the mussels they would close on them and the farmers would harvest the mussels. 

What can I say. It doesn’t look like much but it was fascinating! 

Pearl Farm 

We have been spending most  evenings in a cove away from lights enjoying the stars.The weather has been perfect, cool at night warm in the day.  We usually wake about 07:00 but surprisingly have been sleeping in till 08:00 because of the cool air and great sleeps. Mornings have been heavy with fog. One morning it took until 10 for us to see a 100' so we have been waiting for it to lift over breakfast & coffee

Sunset on the Tennessee

We Know Better But...


Today the plan was to travel to a small island just north of the Pickwick Landing lock & dam but when we arrived it was only 15:00 and there were already three boats tucked in. We knew we could make it to the dam about five with a small anchorage on the south side. So off we went. We did make it to the dam by five but waited until 18:45 to lock through. Making our trek to the unknown anchorage a little nerve racking. I just had to take some pictures of the lock at night. 



Sunday, October 6, 2013

Green Turtle Bay & Nashville Sept 30 - Oct 6













We were supposed to be leaving today but when we woke the rain was pouring and we had  already paid for the day so we decided to be lazy and update the blog, and calling family and friends. Now you might think thats crazy, but we really do have full days and often wonder where they go. When we leave here we are planning on exploring some anchorages. At this point and as you can see from past nothing is carved in stone. We will just take each day as it comes. We are blessed. 


Nashville
We arrived in Green Turtle Bay on the 30 Sept. The resort and marina are located between Kentucky and Barkley Lakes in Western Kentucky. After hot showers and getting organized we decided to forgo taking the boats to Nashville and renting a car. I was really excited about seeing Nashville as it was in the top five on my bucket list, my mom had spent time in Nashville and my east coast family are an extremely talented country music clan. Aunt Ruth I wish I had checked out the Nashville Nightlife Theatre but I couldn’t remember where you made Ron’s ears red last year. Next time...

I just had to stick this picture in as I am so proud!
My mom Florence Brown singing " A Solid Band of Gold" recorded with The Bunkhouse Boys around 1961. Mom was inducted into the New Brunswick country music hall of fame in 1984 with the Bunk House Boys.
                                               Honky Tonk Row Broadway & Second 
Biking under the influence on the Nashville Pedal Tavern 
When your evening activities require signing a waiver stating that if you don't wear a helmet, you're assuming responsibility for any potential injuries or fatalities, you know you're in for one wild ride. 
I loved the movie so we thought it would be fun to just have the experience and say we'd been there. I can't say I loved it, but I will say I enjoyed it as part of the Nashville  experience. 
Guess where we are? The wild Horse salon wasn't like the other honky tonks but we spent an hour enjoyed a beer and listen to Holland Marie. The wild Horse is huge in size and acts.  I had to be able to say we were in a bar that Reba, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, Etta James (wish I had been there then) ect. ect. 
Honky Tonks, Beer and Candy who woulda thought as I write this I am eating a pecan something 
                                               Jimmy Buffet Margarita Ville
The Stage  I really had a great time at the stage. It was my all time favorite spot the first day we went. The band was amazing! Some of Nashville's most talented musicians entertain or have entertained at the stage. They have also been home to many videos and commercials. Hank Williams Jr, Pam Tills, and Tim McGraw & Gwyneth Paltrow filmed don't let me down. I think that each bar on Honky Tonk row has a claim to fame and it really depends on the night, the music & the crowd. There were just so many bars that we didn’t have time!

Country Music Hall of Fame 

I don't have many pictures of the Hall of Fame as everything is guarded by heavy glass. That being said it took about two hours for us to complete and I enjoyed it very much.
So we are buying tickets to the Country music hall of fame when the ticket agent asks us where we are from. Marc tells them that we are from Canada. The agent responds “ we have just opened the Teri Clarke exhibit that you might be interested in” Marc responds “ yes my wife loves him” after a good laugh with the agent I introduced Marc to Miss Terry Clarke LOL

Nashville Sites 
This view is from the Tennessee park toward the Tennessee State Capital. There are 96 bells situated here 95 representing the counties of Tennesse and one that responds.  They play Tennessee-themed songs at the top of the hour, every hour. The first each hour is the Tennesse Waltz.
Musica OK



Owen Bradley
The Spencer was once one of the desirable hotels to stay at in the Nashville area. You never knew whom you might rub elbows with in the single, tiny elevator...Willie Nelson, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and even The Beatles frequently called it home when they would come to Nashville
So Marc & I were out for a walk when we spotted a Bruno Mars van at the back World Entertainment Studio. I wanted to play paparazzi so bad. 





Wannabe

Grand Ole Opry

                                        Interesting facts about the Grand Ole Opry

1. Opry membership is not only earned, but must be maintained throughout the artist's career. After artists die, they are no longer considered standing members of the Grand Ole Opry.
2. Members are expected to show a dedication to the Opry with frequent attendance
3. Elvis performed at the Opry but his rockabilly music and gyrating performance were not received well.  It was suggested that he not quit his day job driving trucks. Presley swore never to return.
4. Where the stars sing centre stage is a piece of the flooring from the stage of the Ryman Auditorium the original Grand Ole Opry.
5. i got to sing at the Grand Ole Opry! Ok it was happy birthday but I sang :) 


                                             Tacky & touristy but I'm ok with that. 
Gaylord Opry Land Resort











Ode to Suzzie
Marc & I went to see Carl Stewart at BB Kings on 2nd in Nashville. Though it was a Tuesday late afternoon and the place was ours I enjoyed every minute. I would have jumped up and cheered if I didn't think I would have looked an idiot. Also I saw this dress at Macy's that had your little librarian heart all over it. P.S. my little boat cannot race your big boat this December but a girls week end in the Caribbean could be arranged 

Badgett Theater in Grand Rivers Kentucky
We bought tickets for two performances at .the Badgett Theater in Grand Rivers Kentucky . 
The first performance was Tuna Does Vegas. It was “Coles notes” about some eccentric characters from a small town in Texas' as they take a trip to Vegas. 
When a radio host announces on air that he and his wife Bertha Bumiller are heading to Vegas to renew their wedding vows...but everyone in Tuna, Texas goes along for the ride! There are two performers playing about 20 characters. 

The Second evening we attended a Nashville song writers night. Performers could only share their personal work. If you ever have a chance to do this  I say run at the chance. The music was excellent, but more than that it was relaxed, the performers were relaxed, they shared stories, laughed with each other, tried new things, flubbed lines and laughed, It was like being able to sit with four talented people exploring each other. It was a great experience

Terry Mike Jeffery




Barry Jobe
Britney Jones
Savannah Conley 





Seriously OMG Patty’s
No pictures of Patty’s but if you ever visit Green Turtle Bay you have to go to Patty’s! The food is excellent and as with every where else we have been you cant beat the service. Patties Settlement we were told by staff that for a town of 350 they served 45000 people in Dec last year. The number seemed a little high to us but who are we to know. All we can say is the food was great. Patties is famous for there 2’ thick pork chops, mile high pies, & flower pot bread. 

More Blue Jobs for the Skipper/Navigator/Helm-man/Mechanic............


Sept 30th to Oct 6th 2013
 We have been in Green Turtle Bay Marina, Grand River Kentucky for a week now.  It’s a great facility and a good location.  As you know we had a small issue with the water pump leaking and this was the perfect place to fix it.  I ordered the kit and it was two to three days for delivery.  Our intention was to travel to Nashville via the river and spend a few days there.  Due to the pump problem we all decided to rent a car and do a road trip.  I won’t give any more detail as I know Linda is covering the subject.  On our return the water pump kit was waiting for me.  I managed to rebuild and install the pump in about four hours. Last but not least I was having a problem with my GPS not viewing the new Coastal Maps I had ordered.  After a couple of phone calls I found out my GPS needed the new updated program installed so it could read the new chip.  Got it all done while Linda was at the Spa.  Hum sometime it sucks to have to do these Blue Jobs but  but all in all it was a good day.


New water pump installed