Went to Percy Priest Lake this morning with Pete to try out his Crossfire kayak. The lake was beautiful. We put-in at Hamilton Creek Sailboat Marina. Sailboats and kayaks, both being motorless work well in the same marina. Plus some thoughtful person covered the put-in area with carpet so it makes for a gentle and less muddy entry. There was no one on the lake on this lovely Monday morning, except two fishermen minding their own business. It was cloudy most of the morning so no need for hat and sunglasses, nice.
The Crossfire presented a challenge on wide open still water. Since it is smooth on the bottom with no keel it does not track. At low speeds it will go straight for a while but then it decides to turn and it is a challenge to get it straightened back up. It makes for very slow going.
Didn't take my camera so these pictures are from my solo journeys last Summer.

Swiss Festival, Gruetli TN

We were in the Alps or at least higher elevation on the South Cumberland Plateau. Mary Evelyn and I went to Gruetli Laager TN near Tracy City and Monteagle to the Swiss Festival that they have been celebrating for 30 years. This year they cranked up their publicity - it was in the Tennessee Conservationist and the Tennessean.
The Swiss came over in the 1870's when conditions were difficult in Europe and settled together in a farming community. With their efficient and industrious ways they had a good life in Tennessee.
The brown Swiss oxen were the first thing we saw when we arrived.
The alpen horns were played along with the accordion, and yodeling in the Swiss style.
There were fondue and wine tasting. Brats with kraut, beer and roasted corn on the cob were for sale at very low prices. By the way admission for the festival was $2, incredibly cheap.
The house on the homestead was open and completely furnished with many traditional items and Swiss memorabilia. Several quilts were on display. This one reminded me of the Swiss flag - white cross on a red background.
There was also a little flea market, lots of fun to browse. A book caught my eye, Something from Nothing by Robert J Baltz, Jr. It tells the story of the Baltz family that emigrated from Germany to Nashville and established a successful meatpacking company in Nashville.
The reason this book interested me was that Robert's Uncle John was my godfather.
That story will be for another time. The book was signed by the author and the recipient of the author's note happened to be the clerk who took my money. We had a good conversation about the author and and my interest in the book. I'm sure it gave her comfort that the buyer had a special connection to the book that she had donated to the festival.
We returned to Nashville by way of Beersheba Springs and McMinnville. The view is from the overlook at Beersheba Springs which was a cool Summer get-away from hot and unhealthy cities before the day of air-conditioning and modern sanitation.
It was a great way to spend a lovely July Saturday.

NARROWS OF THE HARPETH

Last week while Edith was visiting we hiked The Narrows of the Harpeth State Natural Area. We saw many wildflowers, beautiful views and the tunnel that Montgomery Bell blasted through the limestone in the narrowest area of the ridge before the Civil War.

PADDLING ON THE CANEY

Saturday we paddled the Caney River. The cold water released from the bottom of Center Hill Dam was appreciated since it was a hot July day. We passed under I40 three times near the end of the paddle.

BUTTERFLIES

There was a black swallowtail butterfly just hanging on the fennel plant near the deck. When I went to take a picture of it it dawned on me that it had just hatched and was drying its wings. There is another chrysalis on the plant that will be of interest as it matures.

PUMPKINS IN JULY

Volunteer pumpkin plants came up a couple of months ago. They started out in my garden, then they climbed the fence and traveled to T and Jeff's driveway where 2 large bright orange pumpkins are developing. The larger one is about 18 inches long and bigger than a basketball. Since weeds grow in any garden even one on gravel, I weeded the whole area. It was the least that I could do for taking up T's driveway.

New Bike

Got a new bike yesterday at the Trace Bike Shop out Hwy 100 at the Loveless Cafe. It's a Trek FX 7.2. Went for a short ride this morning. The weather was so cool - 61 degrees, can't get over cool temps in July. Weighed it this morning. It weighs the same as my kayak - 28 lbs. It fits in the back of the CR-V when the front wheel is removed - quick release, no tools.