highs and lows

Kentucky Lake High and Low Points

Pebble Isle Marina was our next stop on Kentucky Lake. This marina in New Johnsonville is run by the friendly Randy and Tammy who aim to please. They searched high and low for the cable we needed – although unsuccessful. I think they put out more effort than if they had needed the cable themselves. We also used their courtesy car to restock at the Waverly Wal-Mart, make a post office run and stop at the state park visitor center. The hot cinnamon rolls every morning did not hurt our enjoyment either. We did walk them off with a hike down to the site of Old Johnsonville – a civil war Union supply depot that was the site of a major Confederate victory which was nevertheless unsuccessful. The story goes that famed Confederate sneak attack commander Nathan B. Forrest was ordered to destroy the depot and railroad which was feeding Sherman’s army in an effort to disrupt the flow of essential supplies.  His attack caused such devastation and panic that the Union commander ordered the remaining warehouses and ships burned lest they fall into Confederate hands.  Thus Forrest completed his mission; however, it was for naught since in the meantime Sherman decided to use destruction as a tactic and live off the land as he marched through Georgia.  Very little remains of the old Johnsonville since most of the site was flooded in the 1940s when Kentucky Dam was built. However, we did walk up to the lower redoubt fortifications that remain visible today. The scene now is peaceful and green with trees and wildlife which sharply contrasts with the pictures of the civil war era depot – a muddy, stark, crude though bustling landing. This is one historic site that might have improved with time.

 

 

Leaving Pebble Isle and New Johnsonville we discovered that our depth finder was not just having a little trouble but was not working at all. This rather essential tool had a few moments of unhappiness a few days earlier and again as we entered Pebble Isle, but, previously, when we restarted, everything was working fine.  Not this time! After pushing and pulling all manner of wires, connections, switches and even reading a manual or two, Steve called  Raymarine – the manufacturer – and waited and waited and waited on hold – finally we were told that the DSM (?) unit needed to return to the mother ship for attention. Fortunately we have back up of sorts.  Our two units are not equal and it has taken heroic ingenuity to give us all the normal features AND depth, but Steve has conquered the beast. (Remember that cord we were searching for????? It would have all been easier if we had found one.)

Never the less we are in business and the only big drawback is we will be required to drive from our fly bridge for the time being – if we want to see the depth. Now, that fly bridge is great when the temps are hot or even mild, but when the mornings are in the 40s and 30s – and rainy – not so fun.   The winter gear is coming out sooner than anticipated.  I think this is just our just reward for laughing at those sailors who have been braving the elements low these last 10 months while we were cozy and comfy in our pilot house!