Day 8, April 23, Cherokee Dam

Today was a wonderful day all around. We began with breakfast and a leisurely morning, mostly reading and enjoying the great weather. later, we got dressed, walked over to the host station/concession stand, and got milkshakes -- chocolate for Patrise, vanilla for me. We also paid for kayak rental! This was a first for both of us. Both of us have been rafting and canoeing before, but never kayaking.

We went to change our clothes into appropriate swimwear, while the kayaks were pulled to the edge of the lake. The host, Jerry, waited for us , then helped us each to get into our respective kayak. Patrise's entry went flawlessly; I lost my balance immediately upon sitting on the kayak seat, and took a dive. (Fortunately, there were no pictures or videos of my dip, so in the future, when I write my memoirs, I can rewrite history for a more heroic beginning. LOL) We paddled around parts of the lake, staying nearer to the shore and away from the speedboats. The waves they kick up could potentially stabilize less seasoned kayakers -- namely moi. Patrise seemed to take to to it much more easily than me. After a while we headed back to the shore where we entered. We left the kayaks to be picked up by Jerry, but walked back to the concession station to notify them of the end of our rental period.

We returned to the RV, changed out of our swimwear, then rested for a brief period. Later, we took a long walk to go all of the way to the dam's pumphouse. It was a long, but scenic walk, with swifts darting to-and-fro overhead, a few boats slowly traversing the lake, viewing the rural farmhouses in the distance, and greeting other walkers, strolling past. It is obvious that the Cherokee Dam and recreational area is a very popular attraction for local residents. There were many powerboats being launched into and taken out of the water. There was another kayaker or two and a paddle boarder. Many families were fishing and many more were having picnics. We even saw one young high school couple having prom pictures taken by one of their mothers.

After we returned to the RV again, Patrise finished preparing an incredibly delicious meal: beef short ribs, vegetables cooked in the rib juice, rice, and homemade bread! Do you hear me? HOMEMADE BREAD!!!!!!!. My wife is a talented and creative chef, along with her many other wonderful qualities.

So here below are several pictures taken throughout the day from our excursions in and around the Cherokee Dam campsite:

(The view of the Cherokee Dam reservoir from our RV.)

(Doug & Patrise at the beginning of our walk along the dam wall.)

(House boat on the Cherokee Reservoir.)

(Facts about Cherokee Dam, one of several built and operated in the Tennessee River Valley by the TVA, Tennessee Valley Authority. Atlantans are likely familiar with the Nickajack Dam near Chattanooga.)

(A pastoral scene from the Tennessee countryside, downstream of Cherokee Dam.)

(Breaking for a selfie with the reservoir behind us.)

(A crane to remove and replace turbines from the dam power house, plus electrical substation.)

(The Holston River, downstream from the dam.)

(An old turbine from the pump house used as public art.)

(A might fine beef short rib meal with homemade bread.)