Old Hickory - Station Camp Cove

First arrival....it wasn't this way in Nashville!





Furture rower, Amy.  Woohoo!  Go Amy!

These kids had all the tricks!  What fun to watch.

This lake is outstanding!  Well, at least Station Camp cove is.  I met a friend, Amy, to let her try rowing my single.  We got on the water around 6:15.  Amy did great for her first time in a single that's made more for racing than recreational rowing!  It was a foggy morning so it proved to be perfect to share some rowing tips while the fog burned off.  Amy managed to maneuver the boat, take full strokes and started asking questions that involved technique......a true rower in the making!!!

I found a small ramp off of Douglas Bend.  I was able to find a spot to wet launch with ease.  This obviously is a favorite among fishermen and ski boats alike.  A wake boat with a load of kids ready to play for the day was heading out just as I was.  I got a full boat cheer as they watched me row by and they got their gear together.  Soon I discovered I was sharing the cove with them as they practiced their wake boarding tricks.  I have to say, I prefer polite wake boaters to NASCAR bass boats.  These kids were watchful of me and kept their distance when they saw me.  I was only passed by them twice.  Those kids were so much more pleasant than what I have dealt with on Percy Priest!

Here's a tidbit or side note.  The nice thing about wake boats is the fact that you only have to deal with 5 wakes.  Once that passes, you've got calm water.  Where as bass boats or pontoons throw out these ever occurring rollers.  Those are more of a hassle to row over.

About 1,700 meters into my row, I saw my friend Amy standing on the bank waving.  She had made it back to her house and gave me a little cheer as I rowed past.  It's so fun to share with friends and have them support you.  That gave me a warm fuzzy & energized my row.

Some sort of duck blind near the main channel.  I so wanted to explore.

I made it about 4,000 meters out when Station Camp cove opened into the main channel.   I decided it was best for me to stay in the cove.  Along both shorelines to and from the boat ramp are scattered with houses.  Some had nice little boat docks and some were McMansions! As I made my way back to the boat ramp, I cut down a side cove that had a slalom ski course.  Two skier's were taking turns running the course. As they took a break, I rowed down the course and got a sudden adrenaline rush as it reminded me of race lanes.  I really enjoyed the break in my morning row to watch these guys run this course with sprays that arched high in the air.  They made something that I know is tough look so simple & beautiful.  

Down the center of the course.

The butterflies hit!  Oh yeah, it's only the ski course.

As I made my way back, I rowed along more houses which make up Gallatin's, Fairvue Plantation.  Wow, so many porches I would love to spend my mornings or afternoons killing time.  Beautiful houses with beautiful landscapes.

Like I said, McMansion!

Fairvue Plantation

Closer to the launching area, I was starting to notice many more boats on the water and much more activity in the neighborhood.  People we stirring.  I consider Station Camp Cove to be a 5 oar (top of the rating).  Boaters were considerate and the area was beautiful.  People waved and the day started off perfectly.  Really, what day doesn't when you get to have a good water row!

I've returned and the sun is just starting to break through.

Cordell Hull

Cordell Hull was a fun lake to explore.  I had Mom join me (only as a land lover) on this venture.  She brought the binoculars and watched as I made it around a bend past the campgrounds.  I chose to launch at the Corps of Engineers park off Hwy 85 in Smith County. There's a great swim area near the boat launch prior to reaching some of the nicest camp grounds I've seen. The parks fee is $4/day. I was able to find a small beach spot just outside the swim area a very short walking distance from the parking spot. I launched about 5:30 am and took off onto what turned out to be a wide open area.

Mom was a great help.  Plus she's always there to cheer me on and warn of all the dangers...ha!

I rowed 5,000 meters around a bend to see rolling hills and bluffs that were beautiful. The bass boats were few but polite. I have found this to the the case with most crack of dawn boaters as opposed to late afternoon tournament participants. As I passed the campgrounds from the water, I had to laugh to myself over the sound of a constant hum from generators. It's amazing what camping meant to this group. I personally grew up with a tent, fire pit (smores- yum!) and if we were lucky a common restroom with a quick shower. These campers I noticed had huge set ups with rv's, air conditioning, front porch areas and even TV's (come on)!

The camp ground was tucked in a bend and this was the area I encountered many floating trees, some sticks and of course human trash such as plastic bottles and worm buckets. It amazes me how much people litter!!!! Anyhow, the obstacles I had to navigate the most were the trees. I took a picture of one that I swear was the likes of seeing the tip of a glacier. This tree root ball was as big and a ski boat and floating! Amazing.

As I reached the 5,000 mark and settled for a quick drink, I paused to take in the rock bluffs that were running at the bend in the river just beyond the channel marker. Sitting there with no boats to disrupt the peace, I was thinking about the journey I am taking and all the things I will see. Perspective from the water is so different from the roadside or trail. The water is my peace and the beauty is my confirmation of a higher existence.

As I started my journey back to the beach where I launched, I once again had to chuckle as I passed 'campers'. I was beginning to see the people stir and smelled the start of breakfast cooking (but no campfires). One of the best smells ever is bacon, even on the water!! Fishermen were moving out to their spots and the sun had made it's way above the hills to just start touching the water and sparkle.

Once back to my launch/recovery shore Mom was waving and expressing her happiness of my safe return. It's helpful to have an extra set of hands as you are juggling oars, water bottles, waterproof bag, and boat. Thanks Mom.

The hills in Tennessee with their mist are always beautiful.  Perfect picture to start a row.

There actually is a spec on shaore.  That's Mom!  She's got the binoculars and is watching me and I'm sure a few birds.  I rowed over to wave..... hey Mom!

This is the tree rootball that was as big as a boat.  Who knows other than the fish how big the rest of the tree spanned. 

Stopping to 'smell the roses'.  Actually I don't know what these flowers were, but they jumped out and I took notice.

Loaded and ready to go back to Hamilton Creek Marina in Nashville.  I thought  I would post this for those if you that wonder how I get the scull from point A to B.  It's a sight!

Percy Priest / Hamilton Creek Marina

I thought I should start with the place I row most often. My scull is kept at Hamilton Creek Marina along with several other boats. The Nashville Rowing Club, Vanderbilt & MBA all row out of the marina. I've logged 100,000's of meters on this lake and know it well (traveling backwards). Most mornings during the summer I am launching along with the fishermen and occasional kayaker or fellow rower. I've encountered NASCAR bass boats, ducks & many birds as they approach me with curiosity and yes even swimming deer. I enjoy the fall, spring and moonlight rows the most.

Percy Priest has many recreational opportunities! Besides the sailors out of the Percy Priest Yacht Club, I share the cove with scullers, sweep rowers, canoeist, kayakers, swimmers (sunday mornings) and boaters of all types. We have a nice area for launching boats off the rowing dock or wet launching (this is having to walk the boat in the water then straddle to get in).

Percy Priest is definitely a 5 oar rating. New rowers are always welcome and similar to the spirit of Nashville, everyone is friendly. So if you are ever in e Nashville area and want to check out Hamilton Creek Marina, come on! It's a great place to start rowing adventures.

The black skinny thing in the middle is my boat.  I've named the boat Take Flight and he rests here every day waiting for our next journey out of his slip.

This is a view from the rowing dock I launch off of at Hamilton Creek Marina.  I've seeen many sunrises and this morning is just as spectacular.

Another shot from the rowing dock looking out past the sailboat marina.

Stern shot.  I've made it to the end of the cove and am about to turn and head back out.

Why this blog?

I'm fairly new to the world of rowing (even newer to blogging).  Since my first row (which happened by chance almost 4 years ago) I was hooked.  I find sanity in rowing and it's a bonus that it keeps me in shape!  Recently, I came up with a crazy idea to see what other lakes are like in TN.  I could not get this idea out of my head and after talking with both my rowing partners, Bob & Amanda, I've decided to have some fun. Since I row a single, it's fairly easy for me to transport my boat and hit the road for explorations.  Tennessee is beautiful and the lakes are plenty.  I'm certain this will take me a couple of years to complete!

Other than sharing personal experiences on each lake, I thought I would provide a rating system along with photos & description about access.  If you are a fellow rower, you know you don't throw the boats on a car or in the lake like a kayak or canoe.  It's a little more complicated than that.  Since there are so many bodies of water in TN, I plan on rowing only those that allow me at least 1,000 meters of rowable water.  I'll row a minimum of 2,000 meters per adventure.  I'll also note if the lake is private, crowded, full of debris, etc. 

You may also find the occasional blog about regattas, training camps, rows in doubles or quads.  I do not want to limit this blog to a lake by lake experience.  Believe me, I've had some fun experiences just with regattas and rowing with both the Nashville Rowing Club & All American. 

I'm looking forward to sharing my adventures & photos as the weather, travel time and health cooperates.  Feel free to comment, suggest, or join in on the fun!