Days 88-95; September 24-30; Sugar and Ginger Bays, Paris Landing and Pebble Isle Marina. Add a 6^th state: Tennessee. 1097 total miles traveled.

Where we are the Tennessee River was dammed to create two beautiful lakes: Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. Legend has it that a complete town was destroyed in the resulting flood but a priceless strip of land was created between the two lakes and appropriately named the Land Between the Lakes. In the mid 1960’s the federal government claimed this property in order to create a National Recreation Area (2-5 miles wide by 60 miles long). Does anyone else remember the 1960’s struggle to create the Sleeping Bear Sand Dunes National Park along the Lake Michigan shoreline? Probably an equal struggle here as many families were sadly displaced but we appreciate the foresight of maintaining this gorgeous lake and pristine shoreline with inlets and bays perfect for peaceful anchoring and all nature and water activities. We have spent four days meandering down the lake enjoying what is still gorgeous summer weather. There is only the slightest hint of fall color change. We have enjoyed no cell reception or internet, simple meals, dinghy rides, and the beautiful blood moon eclipse the other night.

We are now in a marina and hence this post although the phone reception remains frustratingly minimal. Billy (a caricature of southern hospitality) guided us in a narrow/shallow channel to the Pebble Isle Marina which is not quite as elegant as it sounds. There were about 10 other looper boats here that night so they opened the restaurant for us to have a real southern cooked meal and then served homemade cinnamon rolls this morning at 7:30.

Today we took the courtesy car and toured the Loretta Lynn Dude Ranch in the town she owns, Hurrican Mills, TN. She is 83 and does 60-70 performances on tour every year! Although she was on the property and often comes out to greet visitors but was resting from a weekend gig in DC. She still travels by bus everywhere she goes. We later tried to rent or buy “Coal Miner’s Daughter” video without success. Tonight we had a combined effort dinner of Chicken Parmesan, chopped salad, baked potatoes and cookies on our boat with Vickie and Ron.

Friend in the woods

Boat Buddy in Sugar Bay

The Loretta Lynn Fan Club.

Best dinners are on the boat.

Meeting to plan chart hour in the bay

Run, run, run. . . . .

A word from Sammy: Well folks, please know that all is well here in looper puppy land. They keep me comfortable most of the time and I get long walks in beautiful places. My nose is continually in overdrive. There is plenty of time to sleep and more than I need to eat but what I find along the beaches tastes best. My favorite thing is to help out at the helm or guard the deck when they leave me for some establishment that doesn’t allow dogs, which is apparently anyplace related to people food. Tonight they made me stay on the deck while they ate dinner with their friends. I watched patiently from the portholes! Another problem is that I often have to awaken them by whining around 6:00 a.m. or who knows how long they might sleep and there are places to go and aromas to smell! I have made lots of new friends who seem to come, go, and come back again. Oh yes, and about that home-style haircut, a daisy fashion plate I am not these days. Special sniffs to Gio and Gillie!

Happy belated birthday to Bryan Bolea, Tom Littlepage and Nick Spindler

Boat Name of the Day: “Gold Watch”

Quote of the day: “The best portion of your life will be the small, nameless moments you spend smiling with those who matter most.” – unknown