Hitting the Trail

Day 138  | New Johnsonville  

We started our projects early in order to make the most of our day in New Johnsonville. I began the morning by wiping down the entire boat with the chamois. A heavy dew on all surfaces and made it easier to remove a little dirt and a lot of spider poop. Barry gave our windlass some TLC by disassembling it and applying fresh grease. We have anchored out quite a bit lately and plan to do so for the next four nights. It is in our best interest to make sure the motor responsible for raising and lowering our anchor is in good operating shape. While he was outside, I vacuumed and then organized our commissary and other dry goods storage areas. After five months on the Loop, we have a pretty good idea of our favorites and menu rotation. We also have identified some items onboard that we possibly may never use. Those were relegated to under-floor storage.

Right after lunch, we walked just beyond the marina property and entered the Johnsonville State Historic Park. This wooded area features Civil War-ear fortifications and trenches. Johnsonville served as a Union troop depot and a major supply route for the northern army, connecting the Nashville & Northwest Railroad line to the Tennessee River. The provisions for General Sherman's fiery raid on Atlanta traveled through Johnsonville.

Four barracks have been reconstructed in the open field, complete with bunkbed platforms. Three marked trails meander through the woods. We chose the African-American Cemetery Loop and followed its blazed white markings through a shaded canopy. We reached the top of the hill and, sure enough, there were gravestones. Many were blank, but the two at the summit identified the soldiers laid to rest therein. It was a hot and humid day, but it felt good to get out and sweat.

A really nice feature was the new-to-us push-button narrated audio box. This one provided a short recap on four different aspects of the park: The Supply Depot, The Village, The Battle of Johnsonville, and The Nashville & Northwest Railroad. We listened as we looked over the cannon and into Kentucky Lake. Back in Civil War times, this would have been a much narrower Tennessee River (before TVA flooded the city of Johnsonville in 1944). We enjoyed our walk through the park and the stunning views of the water and early stages of fall color.

The marina "sign" is unique and had to be a boat designed by committee. Crossroads was sitting pretty along the transient dock. Today's fleet of Loopers was arriving as we returned and everyone agreed to meet for docktails at 5:00. Barry and I took much-need showers to recover from our hike. At 5:00 it was still 88 degrees, with a humidex of 93, and no breeze at all. We hosted 10 Loopers in our salon and enjoyed appetizers and stories in the air conditioning.

We will depart Pebble Isle tomorrow morning for an anchorage in Lick Creek, a travel day of about 30 miles. Internet and phone service will be spotty at best. Daily reports will be loaded as regularly as possible.