Kayak Yakking and More

Tuesday, September 8, 2020

Kayaking - Fancher Falls, Tn - Chasing Waterfalls

Kayaking - Fancher Falls, Tn - Chasing Waterfalls 7.18 miles

Started at 11:35, Paddling Time , Elapsed Time 3:06, 2.9 mph avg speed

We got to the parking lot unloaded our kayaks and had a tailgate lunch with a beautiful view of the water.We put in at Johnson Chapel rec area and paddled out past the markers to the right. We then passed Cookeville boat marina on our left we were paddling against the current and we had a slight headwind so it was hard paddling out. We turned up in to the channel towards Fancher Falls. The waterway Narrows as you get closer to the falls and there are some pretty white Rocky Bluffs on the left near to the water we paddled as far as we could and then we walked up to the falls. You do have to be careful walking because there are some slippery spots and even some muddy spots. This time I was brave and walked up the rocks to the waterfall. It would’ve been cool to go under but it was way too cool, the water was cold. So I stayed long enough for a photo and headed back down the rocky face. It was easier paddling down the waterway as the waterfall water was pushing us, but not a lot. And once we got out into The larger waterway it was easier paddling back to the launch.

This is the Cookeville Boat Marina.

First view of the falls through the trees.

We couldn't paddle up the creek any further.
There were too many exposed rocks and the water was shallow.

Trying to maneuver through the rocks.

We finally had to park our boats and walk from here.

If you look close, you can see the outside deck
of the house that sits above the waterfall.

This is the mist seen from the rocks.This water
was blowing against me and it was COLD!

Can you see Scotty down below?

Lake paddling is not always easy because there is not always much current.
But - look at the beautiful reflections we saw today!

Hiking - Twin Falls, Tn @ Rock Island State Park - Chasing Waterfalls

Hiking - Twin Falls, TN - Chasing Waterfalls .5 miles

Started at 10:15, 2.1 avg mph, about 45 minutes spent walking and taking photos

Our first stop of the day it was rock Island State Park. Stopped at the visitor center and got a map and headed over to downstream trail which is off of powerhouse Road. Comments online said that this downstream trail was easy, at the sign at the park listed it as strenuous. The trail does go downhill and it was completely covered with gravel. To me it was the gravel that made it strenuous as I felt like I could sleep at any time. From the trail there are detours off to the side where you can overlook the river in the beautiful Twin Falls. There is a jam here called the Great Falls dam and when it was constructed it forced the water to go through the rocks and made the Twin Falls. So when you’re looking at the falls you can actually see the water coming through cracks in the rocks. It’s very pretty. We did not hike the whole path as we had other waterfalls to see.

Beautiful views from every overlook!

This buzzard did not move as we walked by.
I truly love nature, but this has to be the most 'unloveable' bird,
even with a beautiful background!

As you enter the trail, there are warnings that the water will rise
when the dam opens. The warning is a siren and we did hear
the siren when we first got to the trail.

Just by looking at this photo, one might think you're in a
tropical setting, not middle Tennessee!

Notice the warning on the small sign -
"Deaths and serious injuries have happened in this area."

This is not the main path. The main path is completely covered in small gravel.
We walked down these rocks to an overlook where we could see the waterfall,
and you do have to be careful waking here.

Friday, September 4, 2020

Kayaking - 9/4 - Harpeth River - Gray Skies Won't Stop Us

Harpeth River - Gray Skies Won't Stop Us 11 miles

Me, Scotty, Sharon, Highway 70 Bridge to Harris Street Bridge, 3.9mph avg speed, 10.5 mph max speed, 3:26 elapsed time

No rain was predicted today, but the skies were cloudy and gray all day long. The temperature started out at 78 degrees when we started out and it was 78 degrees on the ride home. So it was really an enjoyable day. We passed very few kayakers on the river. Towards the end, we passed a group of kayakers and one guy asked Scotty if he knew much about snakes. The guy was RIGHT UP against 2 mating snakes in the water watching them. Somehow, I think if you have to ask somebody about snakes, you should NOT get right up against them. We meet interesting people along the river. We passed a paddle sticking up in the river in the midst of some tree branches. It took some strong paddling against the current, but Scotty was able to paddle back and pull it out of the tree branches. Today, Sharon from Paddling Buds joined us so we had enjoyable conversation along the way. We stopped at my all time favorite lunch spot - a hidden creek that feeds into the Harpeth River. Today I walked the farthest back ever. I would have walked farther, but the creek bottom became one solid rock - a bit slippery, and I wasn't sure that Sharon would have wanted to take the time. We'll save it for another adventure. We were able to easily paddle up to the waterfall today because of the river height. Getting out of the river was more of a challenge today as the river bank was MUDDY and SLIPPERY. The steps getting into the river were also muddy. We shuttled back to the start, wearing our face masks - the new reality of Covid-19. While there, I talked with the ranger. She was painting lines on the parking lot preparing for the holiday weekend. Apparently, it gets crazy now during these times and it makes me appreciate even more the fact that we can go during the week!

Look how much the water had dropped since Wednesday.

The steps at the Harris Street Bridge were caked in mud. When I mentioned it to the
park ranger, she immediately texted somebody to come shovel it off. The rangers
here are always very nice and they work hard!