Our own private Island
Start: River Mile: 568
Finish: River Mile: 546
Day Total: 19
Trip Total: 107
Our morning started at the Kingston marina, getting our boats out of the floating dock and loaded. The friends at city hall had a photographer from the local paper meet us to ask us a few questions and take pictures of us loading up our boats. We have really been spoiled by the people of Kingston. They made us really feel like celebrities. We really believe in the Tennessee RiverLine 652 project and will do what ever we can to promote it along the way.
Paddling into the river, it was cloudy, chilly and windy. The wind was 10-15 mph and we in our face over 3 really big 3+ mile open water stretches. Our goal for the day was an Island known by the locals as Goat Island. The final open water crossing was into a strong wind coming in on our right quarter, so it was also kicking up 12”-18” waves hitting us from across.
Battling the wind
We pulled up to the beach on Goat Island at 3:00pm. We are very impressed. It’s a big grassy site, surrounded by trees with a 180 degree view of the water. A fire pit, picnic table, clothes line and even a horse shoe pit! Dang, I should have brought my pitching shoes!!
It was just a dream to be at this nice campsite so early in the day. I was able completely empty my boat and dry it out. We have our paddle shoes drying on the clothes line. With any luck they may actually be dry when we put them on tomorrow!
Limestone formations
We had been looking forward to a camp fire all day today. It’s the first one of this trip. I believe we are the first campers on this island since last year. There is no evidence of recent usage. As a result, the fire wood situation is plentiful. We have enough wood collected to keep us warm well after dark. Temps tonight will be in the low 40’s so we will be going to bed wearing all our warm clothing inside our sleeping bags.
I love a good campfire
Tomorrow we lock through Watts Bar Lock & Dam, our second of the trip. It is 12 paddle miles down river from our camp. We look forward to current on the other side!
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