Not much to report as we have just been sitting in Nashville dodging the multiple storms that have been reeking havoc across the country and which have resulted in high water levels full of floating and damaging debris. But for the sake of Kevin’s knees I am adding a little update.
The water levels are controlled by the many locks and dams along the river systems and with so much rain and runoff, the dams are having to dump tons of water each day to keep the areas behind the dam from flooding which results in higher river water and all the accumulated garbage and debris from the shores flowing down the multiple rivers to the Mississippi River and eventually into the Gulf of Mexico. When the Old Hickory Dam, north of us, dumps it takes 1-2 days for that days dump to make it past us in this marina. As a result of the daily dumps, the Clarksville Marina we were recently at is again under water as are some of the marinas we were at on our way up to Nashville. Clarksville was at or below normal levels 2 days ago but by yesterday it was at flood level again and is not predicted to fall back down before 4-5 days. This whole river flow thing is totally new to us and we are trying to get a handle on it. It’s a lot to get our heads around. We are hoping against all hope that it will settle down by the time Bruce and Diane get here the second week in June.
We are currently at Rock Harbor Marina in West Nashville along the Cumberland River. Rock Harbor Marina was apparently a rock quarry that was accidentally turned into a marina in the 1940’s when they dug too close to the bank of the Cumberland River causing the bank to collapse and fill the quarry with water. It was a “then what” moment, so they just kept digging and put in a few docks and low and behold, boaters came. We are in a covered slip which is nice because it is cooler without the sun beating down on us and we can leave doors and windows open when it rains, as long as the wind is not blowing hard. There is even a restaurant on site. It’s kind of pricey but drinks and apps work out well, as long as we limit the number of drinks to 1or 2…
We made it to Rock Harbor Marina on Monday May 20th and pulled the boat out on Tuesday May 21st. Much to our amazement and confusion, the props looked pristine and they measured out perfectly. Great! What’s the cause of the vibrations? The props were good and tight, the shafts were tight and there was no outward visible sign of anything going on. So we did not change to the spares. We are hoping that there might have been a line or something wrapped around the prop that was shaken off while maneuvering into the marina. I am hopeful but kind of doubt that as we have done many docking and anchoring maneuvering since the vibration started without any change in the vibration over 1000 RPM, but I guess it could happen?
The weather and water conditions have not allowed us to go out for a shakedown ride where Michael is going to take her above 1000 RPMs to see if we can get past the point of vibration. If not, this is going to be a long, slow rest of the journey at 5 MPH top speed. At least some of it will be going downstream, which might take us up to 12 MPH, depending on the flow.
We were only supposed to be here at Rock Harbor for 3 days but due to conditions we have been here long enough to have paid dockage for a full month as 2 weeks of daily rate totals the monthly rate, so we will not be moving to the Commodore Yacht Club as originally planned since we are good here for the whole month. Besides, there is more weather headed our way so being covered is a good thing.
Due to the conditions we will not be able to get to Old Hickory Lake with the boat, where all the Nashville Elite have their homes and boats, but we will have a rental car and will be driving around…not the same, but the best we can due under the circumstance.
Update on the toilet. The new one is with the “guy” at Kentucky Dam Marina where we were originally going to stop for lunch while he installed it, but since we are here for so long, he is coming to us on Tuesday and will install it before Bruce and Diane get here. This is more costly, but makes more sense in the whole travel planning thing.
The refrigerator seems to be holding it’s own. We figured out that temperature fluctuations are the thing with boat and RV refrigeration especially when traveling and while on the generator. I just can’t load it up for the long haul and expect everything to make it for a week or so.
We did get to walk along Broadway in Nashville and even had lunch/dinner at Jason Aldean’s Roof Top Bar and Restaurant. It was actually very tasty and the couple playing were really good. Broadway is not what I remember from our last trip here a few years ago. Now it reminds me of Beale Street in Memphis and Bourbon Street in New Orleans, crowded, dirty and smelly. Too bad tourism has once again dealt a heavy consequence to what was once a nice small town destination. The price of fame, I guess.
Michael is finally getting to one of his often thought about long and tiring maintenance jobs, waxing and polishing the upper part of the boat. OH WAIT! I hear him talking to the guys waxing the boat 2 down from us! He might have reached his tipping point after 2 days and may be working a deal… Nope, he was apparently just talking to another Looper boat down the dock. Guess it’s all on him now. It sure does look nice though.
Bruce and Diane will be here in 2 weeks and I can’t wait! It’s always great when we have friends and family joining us. We will be doing Nashville and we have tickets to the Grand Ole Opry on the night of June 12th. We have been a couple of times and they have never been, so that should be fun. We have always enjoyed it. After that we begin our journey down the Cumberland River and Barkley Lake and into Kentucky Lake on the Kentucky River as we work our way to Chattanooga and Knoxville. That is expected to be a 26 day journey, after which Bruce and Diane will be departing the adventure.
We have reservations to dock the boat outside Knoxville from July 18th through August 18th where we will leave the boat for a 3 week trip to California for Taylor’s 30th birthday party, where I will be bartender, as well as much needed gatherings with family and friends. I just need some time away from all of this. I am really ready to get this boat back home to Florida, which we hope will be by Christmas time. I am very excited about the upcoming cruise with Bruce and Diane, their 5th excursion along this adventure, the trip to California and the prospect of a couple of other visits from friends and family along the rest of this journey, which may include a Thanksgiving excursion with Susan and Kevin?? I really love having people join us along the way and those times have been my best memories of this whole adventure.
Welp, that’s all for now. Turned out it is kind of a long “little update”. Check back in a few weeks to see how the journey is progressing. Love to all, Gina and Mike
