NASHVILLE, TN TO DOVER ISLAND, TN

Thursday, September 4th, 2014

Day 31
Miles Traveled: 84
Total Miles Traveled: 843



  We traveled through some familiar water today, but still was able to enjoy the beauty of the Cumberland River which ranged from high cliffs to flat farmland.  We had calm water, blue skies, fluffy white clouds, and bright sunshine to make the day perfect.  

Our view while cruising the Cumberland River - flat lands

Also high bluffs- Sydney Bluff

  Some interesting structures that we passed were the red and white old stacks of the Tennessee Valley Authority's Cumberland steam plant.  They stand 1000 feet high.  However, they no longer are in operation as newer stacks with better technology for reducing atmospheric pollution were built.  These stacks are seen in the foreground. 

Old stacks for the TVA Cumberland steam plant

  One interesting bit of history about this same area is that many millions of years ago (even before the Cumberland River existed) a giant meteorite struck the earth.  Geologists estimated that is was more than 20 miles in diameter with an impact so great that horizontal layers of stone up to 2,000 feet below the earth's surface rebounded to form vertical layers.  These layers were discovered while excavating for the foundation for the old stacks.  (Thank you Fred Myers, author of The Cumberland River CruiseGuide, for this tidbit of fascinating information.  For any boaters out there planning to cruise the Cumberland River - this guide is an excellent resource)


  The day ended at another familiar location - Dover Island, TN.  We anchored here on the way upriver to Nashville, TN.  It was such a great anchorage that we took advantage of it again on our downriver trip.