The Hermitage was delightful. We certainly learned a lot more about President Andrew Jackson, his family and friends than we knew before. He had a great place. It was easy to see why it is one of the top tourist visits. Very well maintained and managed. Getting there was easy. The folks here were kind enough to give us a ride. After spending almost four hours walking around the place, we then waited another hour for the taxi to come pick us up. The driver had no clue where the marina was. So with the meter running, we waited and then finally just read the map for him. Folks from home keep telling us about the rain there...but we've had none. Mild days have sure been a treat after the heat of last week. Today is overcast and in the 70s. We are leaving here to go look at mansions of the stars then begin our trek back to Nashville. We have laughed at the fact that we are really only minutes by car from downtown. With river windings and our breakneck speed (about 8mph), that 15 minute car ride will take us all day.

Okay, enough all ready. Today we are on land to visit The Hermitage, home of Andrew Jackson. Then we plan to boat over and scope out Hendersonville, home of the stars. Folks around here assure us there are mansions to be viewed. BTW, one of the folks we met last night is the bus driver for Kenny Chesney. I'll see if I can get him to let us in on any secrets. They kept talking about Johnny Rodriguez...guess he's planning to join them for a jam session sometime soon. We can't wait that long. If it was Willie Nelson, we'd sure be tempted.

For our train loving friends...this was pretty special for us. Train bridges open for passage and then one with a train on it right before we passed under it. WooWoo...

Conditions on the river couldn't have been better yesterday. Clear skies, mild temperatures, and really no other boat traffic. We really enjoyed seeing Nashville from the river.

juicy gossip...the harbor master at Rock Harbor (we just left there) confessed to us that he was Winona Judd's ex....did you remember that her first husband was a boat salesman? Muriel did. We talked about that on Saturday...and then low and behold we knew him all along. Dang, another kodak opportunity missed. Maybe I can get Floyd to stop there for gas or something on the way back so I can get a picture...stay tuned for further developments on that issue.

The great folks aboard the Sojourner just sent us these photos of Hoppie's. It was the first (and only) marina between St Charles and Barkley Lake. Really just a couple of barges set right along the curve of the river. Docking against the current with this unskilled first mate was one of the scariest things we have done...couldn't resist posting these...oh, the wonders of Internet and digital cameras....

Floyd's two favorite things to do...calculate, figure and post in the log book and down in the "holely" place. He can tell you miles per hour, miles per gallon and estimate arrival times to within the minute. The engines and batteries have never looked or performed as good as they do now. His Chapman training has served us well and certainly makes a difference in the "joy of cruising". Fun to watch him work...well, not exactly what you might call work...but we do.