Old Betsy (Musseling Boat) - Pilot Knob, TN The Pilot Knob Interpretive Center and Nathan B. Forrest State Park in Tennessee has a display on those who made a living gathering mussels in nearby rivers. According to the boat's description in the museum: Betsy was one of the most unique boats ever to be seen on the Tennessee River. Built by Dave Stafford and Charlie Doyle, Betsy is probably the biggest brail boat ever built for the river. To compensate for the large size of the boat, T.J. Whitfield, the boat's designer and owner, has ordered cross ribs for greater stability. On October 9, 1966, T.J. took Betsy on her maiden voyage down river to Eagle Creek. Betsy's winch and brail spreaders were made from T.J.'s old farm equipment. This is characteristic of river life. In building his spreaders and winch, T.J. adapted his farming knowledge to meet his needs on the river. Unlike most musselers, T.J. musseled daily. When he had a load, he lit fires under his cook-out vat near his house and cooked out the meat. In 1974, T.J. moved Betsy to the Cumberland River. Being away from home made it necessary for T.J. to outfit Betsy for river living. He built a bunk house and added windows so he could see the river bank. He built the shanty wide enough to make room for a collapsible army cot. Shelves held a Coleman stove, cooking utensils and food. With these essentials, T.J. was ready to live on the river. Betsy may not have had a refrigerator or air conditioner, but now Betsy was his dream boat. For sixteen years, Betsy floated the river...an extraordinarily long time for a wooden boat. The water-worn bottom and mud-stained deck symbolize the work of a man who sought not to conquer the river but only to work with it. Betsy stands as a reminder of the spirit, determination and adaptability of river folk.
Georgia Queen - Savannah The Georgia Queen is among the largest paddle-wheel Riverboats. It is docked at the Savannah riverfront.
Anchor Grill Riverboat Mural - Covington, KY Two years ago, I stopped here to see their vintage and still operational Chicago Coin Band Box: flic.kr/p/2joFnMS My wife and I enjoyed breakfast here, although another person while we were there stopped in just to photograph it and then left. If they are going to maintain the Band Box, I suppose the least we could do is buy a meal there. Since I'm from out of state, I ordered a Cincinnati food I can't get back home, Goetta omelet. This restaurant is located in Covington, KY at the intersection of Pike St. and Main St, or where US25 turns to cross the Ohio river. Cincinnati is known for it's riverboat history, which is the theme of the mural.
Benton-Houston Ferry See a video of a car ride across this ferry! youtu.be/4103gwPCcpQ This Tennessee Ferry connects Benton County and Houston County across the Tennessee River. Also, the ferry connects both sides of highway TN147 to the cities of Big Sandy and Erin. The ferry runs every day of the year unless there is bad weather, and the ride costs $1. One of the things to see during the ride is a partially abandoned railroad bridge and a partially submerged grain elevator. There are only two working Ferries in Tennessee. The other one crosses the Cumberland River in Stewart County, seen here: flic.kr/p/DpgmfS
Majestic Show Boat - Cincinnati Note: This photo was taken in March 2019, apparently rather soon before it was relocated. From Wikipedia: The Majestic is a historic riverboat that is moored on the Ohio River near Manchester, Ohio. Built in 1923, she was the last floating theater to be built in the United States, and one of its longest-lived. Declared a National Historic Landmark on December 20, 1989. She is 135 feet (41 m) long, with a beam of 40 feet (12 m) and a draft depth of 5.9 feet (1.8 m). Her wooden hull has been sheathed inside a steel one, and is still visible from within the boat. Its superstructure housing the theater has been little altered since 1969. The last of the original traveling showboats, Majestic was built in 1923 in Pittsburgh, and plied the Ohio River and other portions of its watershed for many years, offering shows at towns along the way. She came as a pair with a tugboat the Attaboy which towed her from venue to venue. Tom Reynolds and his family owned, lived on and ran it until 1959. Reynolds himself was born into an old established showboat family. Tom Reynolds first boat was the Illinois, lost to fire in 1916, which he replaced by building the America. From 1945 to 1959 there was an academic alliance between the Reynolds family and Hiram College, Kent State University, and Indiana University that allowed the schools to present summer theater experiences for students on Majestic. In December 2014, longtime drama professor, Tom Weatherston, produced a documentary about the alliance and life on the showboat. Capt. Tom Reynolds sold the Majestic in August 1959 for $30,000 to the Indiana University. He had piloted the Majestic on the Ohio, Kansas, Mississippi and Kanawha Rivers for 36 years. That December he was working on the tug Attaboy, moored alongside the Majestic, when it is thought the tug's engine kicked back, and Reynolds lost his footing and fell into the Kanawha river and drowned. He was 71 and had lived on or beside the river his whole life. She was forced into dry dock in 1965 by the Safety at Sea Act, which prohibited wooden hulled vessels from transporting cast and crew on overnight journeys, though by that time the condition of her hull was fast deteriorating. The outer steel hull was added at that time, as were other modernizing conveniences, including air conditioning. While in dry dock, the City of Cincinnati purchased Majestic for $13,500 as part of its downtown Cincinnati Central Riverfront show case. She was docked at the Cincinnati Public Landing until March of 2019. She was purchased in a public auction for over 100k even though it’s valued at much less, by Joe and Cortnee Brumley. In December 2019, she will once again be open to the public for public performing art events with the production of "The Majestic Christmas," her first public event since being acquired by from the City of Cincinnati and moved to Manchester, Ohio.
Angela's Ark - Mud Island - Memphis This 25-foot long flatboat is a replica of one used by Abraham Lincoln as a young man. It was created by John Cooper of Cooper Flatboats in 2004. It was built for the Ursuline Sisters convent of Owensboro, KY to celebrate their 130th Anniversary. The boat was named Angela's Ark in honor of St. Angela Merici, the founder of the convent's teaching order. In 2010, the convent sold the flatboat to a team of historic re-enactors who traveled down the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers to Memphis. The convent only wanted the boat to be sold to people who would preserve the boat in a museum. Today, it is on display at the Mud Island River Park.
St. Andrews Rexall Located in historic St. Andrews area of Panama City, this former Rexall drug store is now a kayak and canoe specialty shop.
Governor Stone - Panama City, FL Governor Stone is a historic schooner, built in 1877, in Pascagoula, MS as a cargo freighter. She was added to the National Register of Historic Places and then became a National Historic Landmark. Over the last few years, the vessel had been docked in multiple locations and now is at St. Andrews Marina in Panama City, FL www.governorstone.org/about.htm
Memphis Riverboats Seen from the historic cobblestone wharf
Fun on the Duck River - Milltown, TN This is a wide and shallow area of the Duck River, which makes it a popular location for swimming and kayaking. While I was here, several buses dropped off kayakers who will pick them up somewhere downstream. I took this photo on Memorial Day but am sure it is just as popular on July 4th weekend. This spot is about 500 feet downstream from Lillard's Mill. There is a gravel lot which can hold about 30 cars off of Milltown Road. It's not too far off of highway TN272 north of Verona in Marshall County
Mud Island Riverwalk Swan Paddle Boat - Memphis Located at Mus Island, across the Wolf river Harbor from downtown Memphis, is the famous Riverwalk. This is a scale model of the Mississippi River from its confluence with the Ohio River to it's Delta at the Gulf of Mexico 954 miles away. Thirty inches scales to one mile and one contour ridge equals five feet of vertical depth for a total length of 2,000 feet. There are several highlights along the riverwalk. 20 cities are mapped, including Memphis and its four bridges. Nearly 100 markers point out highlights along the river. The model river empties into a one acre replica of the Gulf of Mexico. There, visitors can rent a swan-shaped paddle boat with the Memphis Skyline in the background.
Cumberland City Ferry As a kid, my mom once took me along on an errand run. Along the way, she took me way out of the way to get where we were going. She had us cross the Cumberland River at the Old Hickory Blvd. Ferry. After we had crossed, she told me, "We came this was so you could ride on the ferry. You may never ride on one again." I wish that I had been old enough to appreciate it. It's tough for a ferry to remain open these days. If the traffic slows down, the ferry goes out of business. If the traffic gets busier, the locals ask the state to build a bridge. I've been to many former ferry sites in Tennessee, but as of now, only two remain. (The other is the Danville Ferry, about 20 miles from here, which crosses the Tennessee River near Big Sandy.) This ferry is located at the town of Cumberland City in Stewart County. The ferry allows highways TN46 & TN233 to cross the Cumberland River seven days a week. A one way ride costs a dollar, but locals get a discount.. Even this ferry "Patience" replaced an older ferry: www.tn.gov/tdot/article/ferryservices-cumberlandcityferry Watch my video of the crossing: www.youtube.com/watch?v=88WjqYPDTGY
Island Queen Riverboat The Island Queen paddlewheel riverboat is one of the most frequently used in downtown Memphis. With the Hernando de Soto Bridge in the background, the riverboat is seen here taking a cruise down the Mississippi River. It was completed in 1983, and the Memphis Riverboats call this one the workhorse of the fleet.
Captain Tom Ryman's Tombstone Riverboat Captain Thomas G. Ryman was a prominent Riverboat Captain along the Cumberland River. He was instrumental in having the Union Gospel Tabernacle built in downtown Nashville. After his death, the building was renamed in his honor and has become the famous Ryman Auditorium. Capt. Ryman is buried in Nashville's Mount Olivet Cemetery, where this relief etching adorns the side of his burial marker. For his story: www.tennessean.com/story/money/industries/music/2014/07/1...
Blythe Ferry Mural - Decatur, TN This mural depicts the 1838 Trail of Tears crossing of the Tennessee River at Blythe's Ferry. The mural was painted by Bill McDonald and is located in Decatur across from the Meigs County Courthouse on highway TN58. At the site of the old ferry is now the Cherokee Removal Memorial Park.
Abandoned Rome, TN Ferry Located at the beginning of Lick Creek, the ferry crossing at Rome, TN in Smith County traversed the Cumberland River dating back to 1830. The ferry seen here was built 65 years ago. In 1949, the "Jere Mitchell" cost $11,000 and would allow four cars to cross the river. Back then, there were 33 ferries that operated in the state, but now there are only two. The ferry ceased operation in 1992 and has been resting and rusting on the southern shore ever since. The ferry was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 and you can still get up close to this relic - until vandals do even worse damage. Read the whole story here: www.wilsonlivingmagazine.com/magazine/archives/109-around... Hello to anyone who found this photo here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/abandoned-tn/ 10 Insane Abandoned Spots in Tennessee That May Give You Nightmares
Abandoned Rome, TN Ferry Located at the beginning of Lick Creek, the ferry crossing at Rome, TN in Smith County traversed the Cumberland River dating back to 1830. The ferry seen here was built 65 years ago. In 1949, the "Jere Mitchell" cost $11,000 and would allow four cars to cross the river. Back then, there were 33 ferries that operated in the state, but now there are only two. The ferry ceased operation in 1992 and has been resting and rusting on the southern shore ever since. The ferry was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 and you can still get up close to this relic - until vandals do even worse damage. Read the whole story here: www.wilsonlivingmagazine.com/magazine/archives/109-around... Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/abandoned-tn/ 10 Insane Abandoned Spots in Tennessee That May Give You Nightmares
Decaturville, TN Mural Located in the Decaturville, TN town square is this mural depicting a riverboat travelling the Tennessee River. The mural was signed by Hugh Pugh in 2004.
Tom Lee Memorial (Action View) - Memphis Riverfront Late during the afternoon of May 8, 1925, Tom Lee steered his 28 ft skiff Zev upriver after delivering an official to Helena, Arkansas. Also on the river was a steamboat, the M.E. Norman, carrying members of the Engineers Club of Memphis, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and their families. Lee witnessed the M.E. Norman capsize in the swift current 15 mi (24 km) downriver from Memphis at Cow Island Bend. Although he could not swim, he rescued 32 people with five trips to shore. Lee acted quickly, calmly and with no regard for his own safety, continuing to search after night fell. Because of his efforts, only 23 people died. Today. Tom Lee Park is a city park located to the immediate west of downtown Memphis overlooking the Mississippi River. Encompassing about 30 acres parallel to the river for about one mile, it offers panoramic views of the river and the shores of Arkansas on the opposite side. Tom Lee died of cancer in 1952. Two years later, the park was named in his honor and a granite obelisk was erected. In October 2006, a bronze sculpture by artist David Alan Clark was erected in the park to commemorate the event and to honor the civil hero. The sculpture depicts the rescue of a survivor saved from drowning in the Mississippi River.
Tom Lee Memorial (Standard View) - Memphis Riverfront Late during the afternoon of May 8, 1925, Tom Lee steered his 28 ft skiff Zev upriver after delivering an official to Helena, Arkansas. Also on the river was a steamboat, the M.E. Norman, carrying members of the Engineers Club of Memphis, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and their families. Lee witnessed the M.E. Norman capsize in the swift current 15 mi (24 km) downriver from Memphis at Cow Island Bend. Although he could not swim, he rescued 32 people with five trips to shore. Lee acted quickly, calmly and with no regard for his own safety, continuing to search after night fell. Because of his efforts, only 23 people died. Today. Tom Lee Park is a city park located to the immediate west of downtown Memphis overlooking the Mississippi River. Encompassing about 30 acres parallel to the river for about one mile, it offers panoramic views of the river and the shores of Arkansas on the opposite side. Tom Lee died of cancer in 1952. Two years later, the park was named in his honor and a granite obelisk was erected. In October 2006, a bronze sculpture by artist David Alan Clark was erected in the park to commemorate the event and to honor the civil hero. The sculpture depicts the rescue of a survivor saved from drowning in the Mississippi River.
Tom Lee Obelisk (View at dusk) - Memphis Riverfront Late during the afternoon of May 8, 1925, Tom Lee steered his 28 ft skiff Zev upriver after delivering an official to Helena, Arkansas. Also on the river was a steamboat, the M.E. Norman, carrying members of the Engineers Club of Memphis, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and their families. Lee witnessed the M.E. Norman capsize in the swift current 15 mi (24 km) downriver from Memphis at Cow Island Bend. Although he could not swim, he rescued 32 people with five trips to shore. Lee acted quickly, calmly and with no regard for his own safety, continuing to search after night fell. Because of his efforts, only 23 people died. Today. Tom Lee Park is a city park located to the immediate west of downtown Memphis overlooking the Mississippi River. Encompassing about 30 acres parallel to the river for about one mile, it offers panoramic views of the river and the shores of Arkansas on the opposite side. Tom Lee died of cancer in 1952. Two years later, the park was named in his honor and a granite obelisk was erected. In October 2006, a bronze sculpture by artist David Alan Clark was erected in the park to commemorate the event and to honor the civil hero. The sculpture depicts the rescue of a survivor saved from drowning in the Mississippi River. To quote the RoadsideAmerica.com listing for this park: "Memphis genuinely loved the guy, but its old 'very worthy Negro' monument is a modern anachronism." UPDATE: In late May 2017, a strong windstorm powered through Memphis which knocked over this monument and shattered it into many pieces. Read the full story and see a video here:
The Delta Queen at Night - Chattanooga The Delta Queen is a famous steamboat and is a National Historic Landmark which is now docked in Chattanooga, TN serving as a floating Boutique hotel. The Delta Queen steamboat is 285 feet long, 58 feet wide, and can hold 176 passengers. Its two steam engines can produce 2,000 horsepower for a stern-mounted paddlewheel. The Delta Queen dates back to 1926 where it served passengers between San Fransisco and Sacramento. At the time, it and the sister ship Delta King were the most expensive and lavish steamboat ever commissioned. New highways made the steamboats unneeded in California so during World War II it was requisitioned by the U.S. Navy. Since 1948, it has run passenger service along the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers while changing ownership several times. It was listed on the the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and a National Historic Landmark in 1989. At the end of 2008, all passenger service stopped and was again put up for sale. In Feb. 2009, the steamboat arrived in Chattanooga at Coolidge Park Landing along the Tennessee River across from the downtown area. The Delta Queen hotel officially opened on June 5th of that year. Since then, ownership has changed again, but in the mean time it still operates as a fancy place to spend the night. There's even one room that is said to be haunted by Mary Green, the boat captain in the 40s. for more pictures of the Delta Queen, check out my website's Coolidge Park gallery: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga/coolidg...
Nickajack Cave Wildlife Refuge Located in Marion County, TN, Nickajack Cave not only has quite an interesting history but also has an important collection of endangered species. The entrance is 140 feet wide and originally 50 feet high. Originally located on Cherokee Land, the cave was located near the Cherokee city of Nickajack. Beginning in 1800, saltpeter (which is a key ingredient to gunpowder) was mined here, and eventually used for the War of 1812 and then the Civil War. Around the time of the war, the cave was owned by Robert Cravens, who also owned Lookout Mountain Cave and is best known for his Cravens House. Starting around the 1870's, the cave opened commercially. The Shellmound Railroad Station was very close to the cave which operated passenger service to and from Chattanooga daily. Tour guides would take visitors through the cave on boats. By the 1940's, the cave was run by Leo Lambert (who also operated Ruby Falls) under the name Nickajack LaCaverns. By the early 1960's, the cave was closed commercially, but the cave was still accessible by people who were willing to walk a quarter mile in waste-deep water. One part of the lore of the cave happened in 1927 when the cave was being shown by Lawrence S. Ashley, who supposedly disappeared in the cave during exploration. His disappearance was covered by both the local Chattanooga newspapers and the New York Times. After being "lost" from August 15 through August 22, 1927, Ashley reappeared, claiming that he dug his way out through a new entrance located 8 miles away. This entire episode was a hoax designed to gain publicity for the cave and increase the number of tourists visiting the cave. in 1967 with the construction of Nickajack Dam about a mile away, the landscape of the entire area has changed. What used to be an entrance 50 feet high is now half underwater. The old ticket booth and entrance gate are under the water there somewhere. in 1968, Johnny Cash visited the cave with the intention to commit suicide. While there, he had a spiritual experience that caused him to stop his drug use. Environmentally, the cave his home to about 100,000 Gray Bats, which is an endangered species. Every evening, many of the fly out of the cave for about 45 minutes to feed on insects. In 1980. the Tennessee Wildlife Refuge Agency closed off access into the cave and added a fence across the entrance. Also at the cave are Indiana Bats which hibernate here. Cliff swallows nest on the natural rock face above the entrance to the cave. Until the cave was flooded, there were three species that lived only at the cave including a crustacean, a pseudoscorpion and a beetle. From the parking area, the TWRA added a 1,000 foot boardwalk which provides the best view of the entrance and the nightly bat show.
Kayaking in the Hiwassee River In Polk County is one on the most popular Kayaking spots in Tennessee. Here, the river is wide, but also shallow. Upon first glance, you'll count four kayaks and four Kayakers (and there's a dog in the pink one.) I didn't notice this when I was taking this photo, but there's a fifth kayak that's overturned and it's owner is standing in the water - it's that shallow. When the weather gets nice, there's several river outfitters hear in the small town of Reliance
The Delta Queen just before Sunset The Delta Queen is a famous steamboat and is a National Historic Landmark which is now docked in Chattanooga, TN serving as a floating Boutique hotel. The Delta Queen steamboat is 285 feet long, 58 feet wide, and can hold 176 passengers. Its two steam engines can produce 2,000 horsepower for a stern-mounted paddlewheel. The Delta Queen dates back to 1926 where it served passengers between San Fransisco and Sacramento. At the time, it and the sister ship Delta King were the most expensive and lavish steamboat ever commissioned. New highways made the steamboats unneeded in California so during World War II it was requisitioned by the U.S. Navy. Since 1948, it has run passenger service along the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers while changing ownership several times. It was listed on the the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and a National Historic Landmark in 1989. At the end of 2008, all passenger service stopped and was again put up for sale. In Feb. 2009, the steamboat arrived in Chattanooga at Coolidge Park Landing along the Tennessee River across from the downtown area. The Delta Queen hotel officially opened on June 5th of that year. Since then, ownership has changed again, but in the mean time it still operates as a fancy place to spend the night. There's even one room that is said to be haunted by Mary Green, the boat captain in the 40s. for more pictures of the Delta Queen, check out my website's Coolidge Park gallery: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga/coolidg... Hello to anyone who found this photo here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/terrifying-places-tn/ These 10 Terrifying Places In Tennessee May Haunt Your Dreams 6) The Delta Queen is currently docked in Chattanooga and has since been converted into a hotel, so come spend the night if you don’t mind ghostly company. There are legends of crotchety old Mary B. Greene appearing to keep guests from a visit to the bar, as well as guests that simply enjoyed their stay on the Queen too much too check out. Don’t be worried about the stairs that lead to nowhere or the shadows in the bedroom – they’re just a part of what makes the Delta Queen so magnificently eerie.
The Delta Queen at Night The Delta Queen is a famous steamboat and is a National Historic Landmark which is now docked in Chattanooga, TN serving as a floating Boutique hotel. The Delta Queen steamboat is 285 feet long, 58 feet wide, and can hold 176 passengers. Its two steam engines can produce 2,000 horsepower for a stern-mounted paddlewheel. The Delta Queen dates back to 1926 where it served passengers between San Fransisco and Sacramento. At the time, it and the sister ship Delta King were the most expensive and lavish steamboat ever commissioned. New highways made the steamboats unneeded in California so during World War II it was requisitioned by the U.S. Navy. Since 1948, it has run passenger service along the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers while changing ownership several times. It was listed on the the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and a National Historic Landmark in 1989. At the end of 2008, all passenger service stopped and was again put up for sale. In Feb. 2009, the steamboat arrived in Chattanooga at Coolidge Park Landing along the Tennessee River across from the downtown area. The Delta Queen hotel officially opened on June 5th of that year. Since then, ownership has changed again, but in the mean time it still operates as a fancy place to spend the night. There's even one room that is said to be haunted by Mary Green, the boat captain in the 40s. for more pictures of the Delta Queen, check out my website's Coolidge Park gallery: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga/coolidg...
Rock City's Gnome Valley #2: Boating Gnome Valley is a newer feature at Rock City, seen early along the Enchanted Trail where the white fallow deer used to be. According to their sign, "Rock City Gnomes have long inhabited Lookout Mountain. A number of these rare creatures have recently been spotted migrating into this tiny valley." Rock City has long had a history with gnomes, dating back to when founder Frieda Carter imported many of the gnomes from Germany and had them placed around the grounds of the attraction, some of which are seen in Fairyland Cavern. However, The gnomes seen here populating Gnome Valley are new. In 2011, artist and Rock City Employee Matthew Dutton sculpted them so that they would be on display for the yearly Garden of Lights. Each whimsical creation is unique and hand-crafted with a durable resin so that they will be enjoyed for generations. For further reading, check the article on page 10 of this issue of Pulse Magazine: issuu.com/brewermediagroup/docs/pulse_8_24a On my website, I have created a gallery entitled "A Tour of Rock City" where I not only have tried to find all of the gnomes, but all the other wondrous scenes at the beloved tourist attraction. seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga%2Frock-city
Rafting on the Ocoee River If you are a fan of Whitewater rafting, and you're in Tennessee, the Ocoee River is your place. Now, this photo was taken on a weekday in late September, but in the peak summer months, it can be incredibly crowded. I don't get in the water very often, but the one time I did it, it was here back in 1994. On the first time you ever visit here, you're greeted with the site of Ocoee Dam #2, and the thought of travelling over it is either thrilling or daunting, depending on your perspective. In reality, it's illegal to go over the 1913 dam and to enter the river, you actually carry your raft/kayak down a concrete ramp.
Boating in front of Woodrow Wilson Dam - Florence, AL The calm waters of the Tennessee River below the Woodrow Wilson Dam make for a popular boating spot in the Florence/Sheffield/Muscle Shoals area. This picture was taken from the Old Railroad Bridge.
St. Andrews Bay - Panama City Beach, FL
The Delta Queen The Delta Queen is a famous steamboat and is a National Historic Landmark which is now docked in Chattanooga, TN serving as a floating Boutique hotel. The Delta Queen steamboat is 285 feet long, 58 feet wide, and can hold 176 passengers. Its two steam engines can produce 2,000 horsepower for a stern-mounted paddlewheel. The Delta Queen dates back to 1926 where it served passengers between San Fransisco and Sacramento. At the time, it and the sister ship Delta King were the most expensive and lavish steamboat ever commissioned. New highways made the steamboats unneeded in California so during World War II it was requisitioned by the U.S. Navy. Since 1948, it has run passenger service along the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers while changing ownership several times. It was listed on the the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and a National Historic Landmark in 1989. At the end of 2008, all passenger service stopped and was again put up for sale. In Feb. 2009, the steamboat arrived in Chattanooga at Coolidge Park Landing along the Tennessee River across from the downtown area. The Delta Queen hotel officially opened on June 5th of that year. Since then, ownership has changed again, but in the mean time it still operates as a fancy place to spend the night. There's even one room that is said to be haunted by Mary Green, the boat captain in the 40s. for more pictures of the Delta Queen, check out my website's Coolidge Park gallery: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga/coolidg...
The Delta Queen and Walnut Street Bridge The Delta Queen is a famous steamboat and is a National Historic Landmark which is now docked in Chattanooga, TN serving as a floating Boutique hotel. The Delta Queen steamboat is 285 feet long, 58 feet wide, and can hold 176 passengers. Its two steam engines can produce 2,000 horsepower for a stern-mounted paddlewheel. The Delta Queen dates back to 1926 where it served passengers between San Francisco and Sacramento. At the time, it and the sister ship Delta King were the most expensive and lavish steamboat ever commissioned. New highways made the steamboats unneeded in California so during World War II it was requisitioned by the U.S. Navy. Since 1948, it has run passenger service along the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers while changing ownership several times. It was listed on the the National Register of Historic Places in 1970 and a National Historic Landmark in 1989. At the end of 2008, all passenger service stopped and was again put up for sale. In Feb. 2009, the steamboat arrived in Chattanooga at Coolidge Park Landing along the Tennessee River across from the downtown area. The Delta Queen hotel officially opened on June 5th of that year. Since then, ownership has changed again, but in the mean time it still operates as a fancy place to spend the night. There's even one room that is said to be haunted by Mary Green, the boat captain in the 40s. for more pictures of the Delta Queen, check out my website's Coolidge Park gallery: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga/coolidg... Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/tennessee-in-2016/ 11 Things Everyone MUST DO In Tennessee In 2016
The Delta Queen Eagle logo The Eagle folding a flag and banner adorns the front of the Pilot House for more pictures of the Delta Queen, check out my website's Coolidge Park gallery: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga/coolidg...
The Delta Queen at Coolidge Park for more pictures of the Delta Queen, check out my website's Coolidge Park gallery: seemidtn.com/gallery3/index.php?album=chattanooga/coolidg...
One big measuring stick This measures Kentucky Lake water level relative to the top of the dam. Seen at the Paris Landing Marina in Henry County, TN.
Kayaker at Percy Priest Lake, Nashville A couple of months ago, I went to my favorite spot at the lake (specifically, the spot at Percy Priest Lake near the dam) where all the Waterfowl congregate and I put on my website a set called Waterfowl in Winter. Now, that Spring is upon us, I have gone back to the lake for a continuation of the series. Waterfowl in Spring seemidtn.com/gallery/index.php?album=nashville%2Fwaterfow... If you like ducks and geese, check it out!
Chihuly at Cheekwood 14: The Boat Dale Chihuly is an internationally known glass sculptor. His work has been on display all over the Earth, and for a few months, some of his glass has been set up as a major exhibit at Cheekwood Botanical Garden in Nashville, TN. This display has been available all summer, but I just saw it recently. If you'd like to see it, you have until the end of October to get out there. To see all of my Chihuly at Cheekwood photos, Click Here. This photo might be superfluous when compared the photo #3, but from an artistic standpoint, I like how the green grass became overexposed, yet the dark water was underexposed. No photoshopping here.
100 Things to see at the fair #30: Bumper Boats I had a unique opportunity to spend several days at the 2008 Tennessee State Fair. There was so much to see, it will take 100 images to get it all in. This girl and her younger brother were having fun on the bumper boats. He would steer while she sat back and relaxed as best one could in an impact prone hyrda-vehicle. In case of fire, thank goodness there's an extinguisher nearby.
Riverboat Mural - Celina, TN Now, people go to Celina to go to Dale Hollow Lake, but the town began as an important river town along the Cumberland River, as this mural shows a riverboat. A Bald Eagle is included for the fun of it. This is located at the town square, in the small parking lot of a restaurant, which is why there's a small shed blocking the view.
Kayaking in the Chattanooga Fountain Everything at the Chattanooga downtown riverfront has changed since my previous visit three years ago. One of these changes is stair steps that lead down to the Tennessee River and large spray fountains that shoot into the river. It is apparently a popular place to get in your kayak and go through, which a family of four was doing on this afternoon. The daughter in the green kayak is about to go through and the son in the yellow kayak just did. Hello to anyone who found this here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/outdoor-tn/ 12 Crazy Things You Never Thought About Doing in Tennessee
The U.S. Coast guard protecting Nashville's shore
A Riverboat and a Courthouse In the foreground, Docked along the banks of the Ohio is the Cincinnati Belle Riverboat. In the background, a couple of blocks away, is the Campbell County Courthouse of Newport, Ky.
Drought the pond is a little bit too dry to get in your paddleboat. On a rural road near Nolensville, TN in Williamson Co.
Paddle-boating the Inner Harbor
Concrete boat hull - Centennial Park on the other side in a ladder that you can climb to the top
Industry and Recreation in Nashville
Cumberland Queen
Kayak Ramp The Narrows of the Harpeth State Park is an ideal place to go kayaking. Park your car, take your Kayak down the ramp, row for a couple of miles downstream, and then you end up a few hundred feet from here. Hello to anyone who found this photo here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/free-tn/ Here Are 21 Awesome Things To Do In Tennessee… Without Opening Your Wallet or here: www.onlyinyourstate.com/tennessee/waterfront-tn/ You’ll Never Forget A Trip To These 10 Waterfront Spots In Tennessee
Tubing on the River I'm not sure how much I would want to try that. Seen from Point Park last summer. I can't even see the rope.
Gateway Liberty Belle in the Ohio River
One Ducky Tour passes another On the Monongahela side of the point.
Pittsburgh River Rescue
The Chesapeake in Baltimore in Baltimore's Inner Harbor - as seen from a paddle boat.
Boat heads out from the Inner Harbor from downtown Baltimore, MD with the Domino Sugar plant in the background.
