The traveling manatees by Nancy French: Sebastian, FL to Nashville, TN

Overlooking the Suwannee River

Making the 9-hour trip to our daughter’s home outside Atlanta in 4 days, we decided next time to slow it down a bit, maybe 5 days is more appropriate for us. The Suwannee Music Park in north Florida served as our first stop. Indian Springs and Hard Labor Creek Georgia State Parks, developed by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corp) in the 1930s, provided additional stops en route.

Leaving our trailer behind in Roswell, we had rented a creekside cabin in the mountains outside Suches, GA. Spending 4 nights, we explored the creek and surrounding trails with our daughter, son-in-law, and granddaughters. Fishing in the waters of a nearby National forest and discovering the gift and toy stores, restaurants, and ice cream shops of the nearby town of Dahlonega filled our other days. And, we also discovered the 60-70 degree weather we had been seeking. Rain off and on during our visit didn’t substantially affect our visit. One evening, we even squeezed in a campfire before the rains started.

The need to cross a creek in our vehicle to get to the property was an unexpected surprise. Slick, muddy conditions on the narrow access gravel road with a couple of hairpin turns made a slow entry imperative. The day before our departure, our son-in-law had used his 4-wheel drive truck to rescue a UPS truck that was stuck in the mud obstructing the way to our rental. Torrential rains started the evening before we were scheduled to leave and turned the shallow gentle creek into raging white waters, easily over a foot higher than the day before. While I was certain we would be stuck at the cabin till the waters calmed down, Alan insisted he could make it across. Plowing across the waters at high speed, he made it to the other side…. our vehicle was not washed downriver.....certainly an adventure we did not want to have. Along our exit, the road was blocked as a car was being towed out, the couples’ vehicle had started a slide downhill after they tried to correct a missed turn, they had waited 13 hours for a tow truck to rescue them.

Chickamauga River at Chester Frost Park

With Minnesota as our probable destination, we continued our drive northwest. Chester Frost Park, outside of Chattanooga, provided a campsite for a couple of nights. Somehow, we never made it into the city. Walking around the city with the temperatures in the mid-90s just didn’t sound enticing and we easily talked ourselves out of that. The extensive park had a lot to offer. Interlaced with water from the Chickamauga River and Dallas Bay, water activities of all types were offered. In addition, there was disc golf, tennis, biking, and hiking. The heat, however, even in the early evening, ended our disc golf game after 8 of the 18 holes.

Arriving in Nashville, programs at our previous favorite venues, the Grand Old Opry and the Bluebird Cafe, were fully booked. Actually preferring outdoor venues due to Covid’s continued presence, we lucked into festivals for both Friday and Saturday.

The Full Moon Pickin’ Party at Percy Warner Park provided traditional bluegrass music in a picturesque setting. Attended primarily by young families, they were clearly drawn there as much for socializing as for the music. Food trucks sold a variety of dinner options, ranging from spring rolls to stuffed baked potatoes to BBQ. Free beers, water, and sodas were also included with the entry fee which went to the Friends of the Percy Warner Park. Neon hula hoops and wearables lit up children running and playing in the nearby fields. A perfect, deep-orange, full moon rose at sunset.

Unfortunately, I acquired some new attire following the Pickin’ Party. Tripping in a hole while crossing the field, I sprained my left foot and my right knee. So for a little bit, I’m wearing a foot boot, a knee wrap, and using crutches. Luckily, it was two sprains, not breaks, so it’s not going to slow me down for too long.

The Jefferson Street Jazz and Blues Festival at Fisk University started the following afternoon and ran until midnight. Entry fees were being used to support the school’s a cappella group, the Fisk Jubilee Singers. Started in 1871, the group toured to raise funds for the college with traditional spirituals as a major part of their repertoire. The Singer's album, Celebrating Fisk! (The 150th Anniversary Album) won the Grammy award in the Best Roots Gospel Album Category in 2021. The music for the Festival ranged from gospel to jazz and blues to cover songs from the ’60s and ’70s. There was a tremendous outpouring of energy from the entertainers in spite of the sizzling heat.

Having enjoyed a couple of offerings from Music City, it was now time to move on to Kentucky.