Underway Again

It is good to be back underway.  We made our way to the Tennessee border today and decided to duck into Paris Landing, TN State Park to get out of the cold and rain for the night. A 26-mile jaunt is a good shakedown cruise, make sure the crew and the boat systems are performing well.  Auto is back off strike and working well. Genny is purring like a kitten, and Lesson Plan seems happy (other than she wished her mast was standing up). The crew found its groove quickly on the short trip. We took turns piloting the boat. When it came to docking, the captain seemed a little rusty from the 6 weeks off.  We got her onto the fuel dock just fine, but when it came to leaving the fuel dock the wind kept blowing us back into the dock. It took a couple of attempts before we got away clean and moved over to out slip for the night. 

When I went in to pay for the fuel and slip, they told me we hit it lucky; It’s crazy chicken night at Paris Landing State Park Restaurant. A chicken buffet with chicken cooked six different ways and gizzards and livers. Just call and the restaurant and they will send someone to pick you up. If you’re lucky the park ranger comes to pick you up in his cop car.

Let me see, so I can ride in the back of a police car (maybe they will put the handcuffs on for the full effect). And they make me eat gizzards and livers as my punishment.

I don't think I know anyone at Paris Landing State Park, but as sure as I get in a police car we will drive by some nosey Nancy from our church back home and the rumor that Doug was arrested in TN will beat me back to Bowling Green. Sounds like a fun night to me, how about you?

I don’t think so, we walked over to the restaurant and I passed on the livers and gizzards. The smoked chicken was very yummy, as promised. As was the apple crisp with ice cream. I needed the walk back after that meal.

After our warm night at the marina we reluctantly unplugged from the dock (which means no more heat for a while) and started making our way south.  We made 59 miles before anchoring behind a little island that offers protection from the commercial traffic.  It’s a beautiful anchorage, but the low is supposed to be 38 tonight, burrrr.  Let’s cook a big meal and hope the warmth from the stove stays with us through the night.

It’s great to be at anchor again.