Day 9 – 10/12/23

Starting location: Clarksville, TN

Weather: Foggy morning, sunny high 60s later in day

Ending location: Nashville, TN

Statute miles: 65

General summary: Awoke early and showered in free marina showers hoping to get an early start but we were socked in by fog for a few hours until it burned off. This is apparently very typical in the fall as the river is still warm but the morning temps are dropping. Coordinated locking through Cheatham Lock and Dam with another C Dory couple on The Intuition. Thanks, Intuition!!! Had secured mooring on the Nashville Municipal Docks via Dockwa app, just across the river from downtown. Nice newer concrete docks with a locking gate. A boat shuttle comes and goes during the day and in the evening a party boat called “The Pontoon Saloon” departs which was a hoot to watch. We had it all to ourselves.

We got there early enough that I had time to walk over the pedestrian bridge to bustling downtown Nashville. Cowboy boots and hats were the norm. Country music blaring from many venues. Walked to the Country Music Hall of Fame and did the self-guided tour. You start out on the 3rd floor (top of building) where the earliest singers are showcased and the origin of country music is explored. Learned a ton. Then down to second floor where the expansion to the LA sound, Texas outlaw brand, and others were discussed before getting to more current country/pop fusion. First floor is event space and gift shop.

Mom, I really looked for some stuff from Crystal Gayle. Even asked one of the guides and there isn’t any memorabilia from her there.

Walked back to boat. We had been noticing some issues communicating with our VHF radio, so had been using our handheld. Started making phone calls to see where that could be fixed.

Boater information:

1. Some guidebooks recommended calling Cheatham Lock and Dam a day or two prior to get on the schedule. We called the day prior and they said they have no way to predict barge traffic that far in advance and to call an hour before, then radio on VHF 14 on arrival. This worked perfectly.

2. Nashville municipal dock has water, power, and trash. Locking gate and felt pretty secure. No bathrooms or showers.