Wednesday 30 September 2015

Nashville to Green Turtle Bay to Pebble Isle Marina

 We left Nashville on Wednesday Sept 23rd.  Since the trip to Nashville is not actually part of America's Great loop we are heading back to Green Turtle Bay which is 160 miles.  We will take 3 days to get back.  We travelled to a quiet anchorage which had our stern facing west.  We had the most beautiful sunset and watched as the fisherman came in and out of the bay. 



We made really good time on the way back and were almost at Green Turtle Bay but our reservation wasn't until the following day.  We decided to anchor out and get some work done.  There were 150 hours on the engines since the last oil change so Steve thought it would be a good idea and good timing to do it prior to going to Green Turtle Bay because they have a spot there where you can dispose of your old oil.

We arrived back to Green Turtle Bay after a very short 7 miles.  We were very happy to hear that that evening was their annual seafood boil.  There were many Loopers in the Marina so chatted with many and had a seafood dinner with great conversation. 



The next day we were off to another anchorage.  There was an anchorage, that the locals spoke of only a few miles from Green Turtle Bay.  It is called "The Quarry".  When we first approached it looked like a very nice anchorage. ..
As we entered.....it looked more like the ghetto.  This anchorage has a reputation of wild parties.  It's said that it's a great place to go to people watch... not so good if you plan on sleeping.  Oh yeah....this is still in a dry county??  Glad we toured in just to see what it was all about but we are on our way.
 The skies started to look ominous so we decided to tuck in to an anchorage for the night. 
We noticed another Looper also anchored a distance from us.  Hopefully we will catch up to them in the future. We got up the next morning and started to clean before heading out.  As we started cleaning we kept cleaning and cleaning and then decided to stay put for another night.  We heard coyotes howling in the night and they sounded like they were right outside our boat.  I was glad be boating and not camping.  The next morning I was a little worried about Dexter going to shore but pretty sure he'd put up a good fight before he was anyone's breakfast.  Since we didn't want to take Dexter to shore he got his exercise pulling Steve around they bay on a noodle.  Gotta tire that puppy out somehow!


The skies cleared that night and allowed us to watch the lunar eclipse!

The fisherman are very serious in these parts.  There was one fisherman that came in and threw a net over the water.  As he pulled the net up the bottom closed and it was full of fish. 

We headed down toward Pebble Isle Marina and came across a building that seemed to be in the middle of the river.  We could only figure that back in the day it was on shore and then they flooded the river.  It was outside the channel.
We arrived at Pebble Isle Marina and the owners here are all about Loopers.  As we pulled in to the Marina they told us they were hosting a get together at 5pm.  They said that they would supply all the food and we could either buy our drinks there or bring them.  We pulled in at about 12:30 so we took the courtesy van and replenished as we plan to be at anchor for at least a week after this.  When we came back, after a quick Walmart trip, there were 9 Loopers in the Marina!  We went up to the restaurant on site and had chicken, fish, deep fried pickles, deep fried mushrooms, nachos and mini sandwiches.  All courtesy of the Marina.  After some social time a couple of  Loopers got up with their guitars and sang a few songs that we were all able to sing along to.  What a great time, what great people! 





As we ended our evening in the restaurant the owner asked..."who's in for cinnamon buns in the morning"......yes they also provide coffee and home made cinnamon buns, complementary.  We were planning on an early start in the morning but we likely won't be back here so think it will be worth the wait for Bill's cinnamon buns.  Where ever we get tomorrow is just fine with us "One Bay at a Time".








Thursday 24 September 2015

NASHVILLE!!

We left Commodore Yacht Club, heading for Nashville on Sunday Sept 20th.  It was just a short day only 17 miles so we had a nice breakfast on the boat before leaving the Marina. GPS says we're only 51 minutes away!
 As we travelled up the river we came across paddle boarder, after paddle boarder, after paddle boarder.  Now we weren't just in a lake...we were on the Cumberland River about 15 miles away from Nashville.  I asked these paddle boarders where they came from and they told me Nashville. 


 Travelled up the river, turned a corner and there was Nashville.
  We stayed at the Municipal dock which is literally at the bottom of Broadway, which is the main street in Nashville.  Everything was just a walk up the street.  There is a huge bridge right in front of the boat.  It doesn't allow any traffic just pedestrian and bicycle traffic.

 We took Dexter for a walk and found a great place for him to play off leash.  Just as were leaving the park we noticed their drinking fountains are dog friendly.  There is a tap that fills a small bowl with water for dogs.  What a great idea. 
Took some pictures of our boat from the pedestrian bridge.

As we were walking back to the boat we noticed another perfect spot to take Dexter off leash but then noticed...no you can't get there it's totally fenced...then we noticed the gates...mmmm...there are 2 to the entrance...IT'S A DOG PARK...right outside our boat!!
We are here for 3 nights so we had a quiet night the first night.  Stayed on the boat and had an early night.  The next day we walked up the street and did some exploring. Walked the main street of Nashville which is always very busy and you can always hear music playing somewhere.



Cowboy boots are sold everywhere.  I loved the display of kids boots!
Later in the day we went to the Country Music Hall of Fame.  That too is within walking distance of the boat.  Many interesting exhibits including the walk of fame that is just outside.





Elvis Presley's gold Cadillac.  A little ahead of it's time with a TV, record player and phone in the back seat. 


Webb Pierce also had a car on display here.  Not really sure who he is but he had a really cool car.  He spent $20,000 having this car done to his liking with silver dollars, guns as door handles and a saddle as a console.



There are so many artists with so many gold and platinum albums.  The walls are covered at the museum.

We came back to the boat after the Hall of Fame and exercised Dexter because tonight is party night in Nashville for us!!  We didn't go up to main street until about 9pm so we ate dinner on the boat.  Dexter was ready for bed by the time we left.  There are no cover charges at any of the bars and there are live bands in all of them at night.  As we walked along the streets there are many entertainers.  Nashville is truly Music City.  We passed what I thought was a statue then jumped out of my skin when he gave me a thumbs up as we walked by. 
Sarah and Louie were here last year and told us that we had to go to Tootsies.  Tootsies is a bar like many on the main street.  The reason they wanted us to go to Tootsies was there are boards going up the stairs and everyone signs their names on the board.  They wanted us to find their names and sign right beside them....so we did!!!....but we had to go the next day.  The night we were out we couldn't find Tootsies and were told by a cop that it closed.  Went back the next day and found it and turns out we were right next door the night before.
Today is the Grand Ole Opry...so excited for that.  Our friends that we  left at Commodore Yacht Club arrived today and also have tickets for the Opry tonight so we will go with them. 

We are with Corinne and Robert from Aerial and Mike and Gail from Time Out.  Going to the Grand Ole Opry.  We walked up to the main street and just as we were about to get in our cab we noticed a TV on the street outside one of the bars.  It's a Blue Jay Game!!!  2 - 2 top of the 8th!  A little piece of home felt pretty good at that moment.
Arrived at the Grand Ole Opry which is pretty much the only thing Nashville that is not within walking distance.  It's like an entire City in itself.  We were so happy that our friends Gail and Mike and Corinne and Robert were there with us that night. 
The streets at the Opry were very crowded.  We went in to one of the shops but quickly exited....way to crowded for this non shopper.

We got to our seats and were surprised that the music was already playing.  It started with the Gaitlin Brothers.
 Then the Willis Clan.  OMG!!  This family was discovered on America's Got Talent.  They are brothers and sisters and there are 12!  Some of them are very very young.  The younger ones didn't come on until the end and then did an Irish dance with their siblings.  So talented.
Scotty McCreary was also there.  He was discovered on American Idol....just 21 years old. 
The last performance was Blake Shelton.  He was very good and has quite a sense of humour. 
It was another late night so we are beat.  But what a great time in Nashville.  If you like music you love Nashville.  It was right to bed by the time we got back to our boats at 12:30.

Steve and I were up early and off the dock by 8am.  Heading back to Green Turtle Bay to reprovision and then head further south.  Nashville is not a destination on America's Great Loop but it is a side trip not to be missed if you have the time.  We say see you later to our friends as they will stay in Nashville for a few more days. 
We were told by some locals to watch for this house as we passed by.  It is on the river as you approach Nashville.  We were told that it was previously owned by Alan Jackson.  Alan Jackson then sold it to Kenny Chesney.  Kenny Chesney owned it during the horrible flood that hit Nashville and buried the Grand Ole Opry in water.  It also flooded Kenny's house taking out much of his musical instruments.  It was after that that Kenny sold the house.  Not sure who lives there now but it looks like extensive renovations are taking place.
This would be the main house....hard to see for the trees in front.

This is the airplane hanger.

And this is the guest house.
Now to take a couple of lazy days and rest up from the late nights and fun of Nashville.  It was a long travel day today not sure if we will do a short day tomorrow or a long day tomorrow we're just living "One Bay at a Time"