Sunday and More

SUNDAY
Ah, Sunday, the day of rest.  We slept in till 0700, then went up the hill to Dockers Food Emporium and had their tasty breakfast special.  We were short a few items and needed to go to a store, so we borrowed the Marina courtesy van and went in search of what was not sold within 60 miles. One of the interesting stops was back at Metropolis, Illinois, (Remember, Adult home of Superman) where we spent Friday night anchored. I tried to stop them but Beth and Joe insisted on having their photos taken in their fantasy dream.

 What Wonder Woman has to do with Metropolis I do not know, but Beth truly is a "Wonder Woman".  Lest I digress, we found our supplies and returned to the Marina only an hour past our limit.  We then unpacked, washed the boat and performed many other maintenance items.





It was going to rain (A first for this leg of the journey) and it being late on a Sunday afternoon, the marina was pretty well deserted.  We went out and sat on the patio area of the dock we were on and watched the coming storm.  It dumped 4 inches of rain to the east of us.

While we were were relaxing, Morris, the marina security man joined us and provided much information about the area and more importantly, did not hassle us.

MONDAY
We set off Monday at 1100, (Official Marina Check Out Time) and headed up the Cumberland River towards Nashville, Tennessee.  We made it about 20 miles (at 7 mph) and decided to find an anchorage as we had a 20 mph tail wind and it was rolling up our backsides through a 15 mile long straight away and was very uncomfortable.  We located a bay off the main channel and anchored.  As it had been a sweaty day, and the water was warm, I tested my new invention. A bar of Ivory Soap on a rope.  It worked well.

There were several homes near where we anchored and about 9:30 P.M. there were three gunshots.  I kept waiting for impacts on the boat but they were probably shooting marauding raccoons.

TUESDAY

We pulled anchor about 0600 (which, according to Joe, had 100 pounds of mud clinging to it) and headed upriver to Nashville. We passed this interesting domicile, which I would like to place the person or persons that stole my cooler and its contents off Calypso II two weeks ago.  (This is the Kentucky State Penitentiary).

 Stopping for lunch at Buzzard Rock Marina, Joe fell in love with his soul mate.  (Can you tell which one is Joe?)

 The decor was all Buzzard related, menus had covers designed by visiting "children"

  
This is a quiz:  who can tell us the correct number of goslings in this family?
 These restrooms might seem challenging to those from Lake Perry Marina who are confused by the "Inboard" or "Outboard" signs on the store restrooms.

During the afternoons cruise, Joe decided to try out for the acting part for the medical emergency response device "Help me, I have fallen and cannot get up". When this picture was taken, he had been on the fly bridge floor, laughing non-stop for a good 60 seconds. It was a nice comical break for us all.

Beth and I decided he requires more training.

Arrived at the City Dock in Clarksville, Tennessee. ( I know, we should have taken the last train, but Davy Jones has already departed). 

This city, which is the home of Austin Peay University, is truly visionary, thanks in a great part to Mr. Austin Peay. 

Among his other achievements, when the State of Tennessee's financial situation became desperate, Peay decided to run for governor in 1922. Peay stressed tax reform, the completion of the long-delayed state highway system, the lengthening of the public school term and the building of more schools. He called by name the state officials with whose services his administration would dispense. He promised a return to ordered and responsible government, the elimination of deficits through economy and budgeting. (Where is he when we need him?)

The day after his election, Austin Peay went to work, studying state finances and mapping out his program for the legislature. He devised a plan of consolidating the state bureaus and agencies under a few heads, thus eliminating a number of officeholders and at the same time bringing the state employees in groups under a responsible commissioner. The resulting administrative reorganization bill gathered 64 governmental bureaus and re-grouped them under eight heads, after eliminating some of them entirely. It made it possible for the state to live within its income and avoid deficits, by reducing expenditures and creating a state budget system.
The legislature then proceeded to redeem the remainder of the pre-election pledges. The back tax machine, which had long preyed on people of the state, was abolished. The sliding scale law was repealed. The state tax on land was reduced.
Soon a large surplus began to pile up in the treasury, and the state was able to pay off $1 million on the state debt. In cities and towns from the mountains to the river, there was amazed talk among citizens that here was a public official who did exactly what he said he would do. There was a new feeling among state employees. The dead wood had been chopped out, and the state enjoyed prosperity.  Enough about history, which, unfortunately I do not think will repeat itself.

We walked a couple of blocks to downtown, and noticed this old building, obviously when things were less pricy.

Another reason this town does so well is this sign:

 We had a fine dinner at "Edwards Steakhouse", it was fine dining as opposed to eating off our laps on the boat. Tomorrow, it is off to Nashville. 

See you later.