June 19, 2012; Dover Island on the Cumberland River

We got going early this morning; on the river by 06:20.  We had a long day planned; a total of 65 miles  I called ahead and the lock was open and ready for us when we got there.  It sure is nice not to have to wait.  The Lock Master said we just missed all the excitement.  A young fawn, only about 1 month old, got caught up in the current and was sucked up into the lock.  They immediately filled the lock, got a rope on the fawn, and pulled him out of the water.  By the time we got there, the fawn was wrapped up in a blanket and he let them hold him like a baby.  The mother was no where in sight but they are still looking for her.  Wild Life Services were on their way.

At Mile 142 we encountered a fishing boat that set nets all the way across the river.  We had to stop and wait until he moved his nets before we could pass.  Don't know what he was thinking.  Also, when we were coming into our anchorage there were 2 fishing boats fishing right in the middle of the channel.  They just sat there and looked at us as we went around them.  We had just settled into our anchorage and we heard 5 blasts from a tow coming down river and he encountered the same 2 fisherman.  This time they moved and in a hurry.

N36 29.999

W87 48.331

CO's comments:  When we stopped for the day we went into the river for a dip again.  The water temperature was 88.4 degrees.  Fisherman!  I think before they can get a fishing license they should have to pass "a rules of the waterways" first.  They seem to think they own the river.  We go by them at 8 knots and they don't like my wake.  They should see my wake at 15 knots.  Yet, one of their own kind will come within 10 to 15 feet of their boat going 25 to 30 and wake them more than we do.  They wave and smile at them.  The other day I heard one tow captain talking to another tow captain and he said "Did you see that guy in the little fishing boat?  I think he was trying to play chicken with me".  We all know who would win that contest.  I feel tow captains are just as irritated with fisherman as I am.

Sunset at Harpeth River on 6-18-2012

Tennessee Valley Authority Cumberland Steam Plant.  It is one of the world's largest coal fired steam plant. 

Keith liked this building (TENNESSEE GUNS written across the roof). We couldn't stop.