A DAY IN THE COUNTRY WITH A COUPLE OF KIWIS!

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 10

We got up in the morning , had our wonderful, fresh-baked cinnamon rolls and took the courtesy van into town.  Every courtesy van we have gotten has the check engine light on, it seems to be a requirement but this one also had the added aroma of radiator steam.  We did not know where to get propane filled.  There were many places with exchange tanks but ours is a 4-lb. tank so we needed a fill.  After 3 gas station stops we went to a farm supply who sent us to the Co-Op and we scored!  Then to the store for groceries, we never pass up a grocery stop if we have a vehicle, even if we don’t need much.  I was hungry so $169 later we were out the door.  Getting back to the marina it was time to decide if we go or stay.  Rain was threatening and it was almost noon.  We decided to stay and moved to another slip in an effort to improve our tv and internet possibilities.  We moved in front of Untide, a boat with a couple from New Zealand, Monica and Warren. 

They helped us tie up and told us they were taking the van for a drive and wondered if we wanted to go along.  Well, it was about to rain so why not?  Had no idea where they had in mind to go but we were off with Monica driving and Warren in the navigator’s seat.  Come to find out they are heading for the Loretta Lynn Ranch!  Well, there is not much for entertainment in these parts so across the back roads of TN we go with Monica stopping every ¼ mile to take a picture, usually of pretty much nothing.  When we got to Loretta’s place it was a bigger deal than we thought, however we declined the $25 tour.  Just walked around and took in the sights and smells of Fall.  

The 4 hours we spent with the Kiwis were fun, we laughed and laughed.  It was interesting to see what they thought of the area and hear their stories of looping.  These folks came here, bought a boat just to do the Loop and started their journey from Houston, TX 15 months ago.  Another story to add to the Looper books!

Our last stop on our TN tour was the Johnsonville State Historical Park which was adjacent to the marina.  We would have stayed longer but we could tell that the Kiwis only had so much interest in our Civil War history.  We will be going to Shiloh which was a huge fort and encampment in the next few days.

 

We have been kind of thin on wildlife sightings but got one nice treat right there on one of the park signs.  So nice to see this little guy!  

LOCATION UPDATE - We found a different map that shows the whole trek from Chicago to Mobile and have updated it showing our progress.  We will be leaving the Tennessee River soon and be heading into the Tenn-Tom Waterway with LOTS OF LOCKS.  Has been nice not having to deal with them but onward we must go!