Beauty of River hidden by gloomy weather

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13th - WAVERLY,  TN

Trip Day:	216	Latitude:	35°52.52 ' N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	53	Longitude:	087°55.82'W	Locks Total:	95
Total Miles:	4,577	Location:	Cuba Landing Marina,   TN

With no town lights we enjoyed a dark, quiet night with visible stars and a sliver of  moon over the little cove.  As we lifted anchor and pulled in the main channel the winds were from the south, so we motored all day.  It was once again a cloudy day where the sun was not seen.  Thankfully though it was warmer, not requiring heavy jackets.  We had hoped to see more wildlife and birds today, but the dreary day did not permit good viewing. 

 

 About 12 miles down the river we spotted what was left of the L & N railroad bridge and an interesting building surrounded by water.  Seeing this     abandoned warehouse drives home that active communities and businesses were claimed by water after the Kentucky Dam was built.  It must have been a well built building to still be standing. 

Bass boats were flying past us on this Saturday morning despite the cloudy, windy weather.  We continue to enjoy the fall leaves and look forward to a sunny day to capture the rich colors with the camera lens. 

 

We passed Pilot Knob which is now part of the Nathan Bedford Forrest Memorial State Park.  This bluff is famous to the local historians because it was here in 1864 that  General Nathan Bedford Forrest cavalry troupe defeated General Sherman’s naval force.  The confederate general’s goal was to disrupt Sherman’s supply lines in his “march to the sea”.  General Forrest sunk 33 Union vessels, destroyed two trains, and set flames to warehouses filled with million of dollars worth of supplies.  150 Union soldiers were captured by the end of the battle.  

 

By three o'clock we had pulled into Blue Creek and tied up at Cuba Landing Marina.  When we discovered the local restaurants were over two miles away we began to plan the best way to watch the Gator vs. Vanderbilt football game.  No problem riding our bikes, but we needed to consider the return ride in the dark at ten o’clock.  Then one of the dock workers offered to lend us a TV for the night and hook up to the marina’s DirectTV for the ESPN channels.  So, we watched the games on the boat and appreciated the hospitality.