We are excited to be back on Three Sons after our two week road trip. Traveling by car and staying in hotels has quite a different feel. We traveled 1,142 miles making stops in Nashville, Chattanooga, Gatlinburg/Smokey Mountains, Knoxville, Louisville, Mammoth Cave National Park, Louisville and the best stop – Indianapolis, to help Cory settle into his first home! It was a great 2 week side trip and it felt a little strange moving faster than 9 MPH! We did miss the water and are excited to drop the lines and get back to cruising!
After we were settled on the boat, we returned our rental using the marina curtesy car. Since we were not able to eat at Patti’s settlement the first time we were at Grand Rapids, we made sure we secured a reservation for our last night. What is one more day of eating out? Patti’s has quite the reputation as a ‘not to be missed’ with beautiful gardens, servers dressed in period costumes, along with dinning rooms decorated according to the 1880’s. Grand Rapids population is 350 and Patti’s serves over 350,000 people each year. Prior to dinner we walked the grounds that were decorated with Christmas decor and we enjoyed sampling some very delicious flavored moonshine. The moonshine flavors mirror the desserts from the restaurant. Our meal landed on both ends of the scale, the 2 inch pork chop was probably one of the best proteins we have on the trip, The desert a mint, chocolate brownie was just as delicious as the moonshine of the same flavor. The flower pot bread and strawberry jelly was good. However the potatoes and vegetables were just bad. Definitely and experience and so glad we were able to get a chance to check it out.
The next morning we dropped our lines and continued our cruise heading south on the Tennessee River and Kentucky Lake. Our first stop was at Paris Landing State Park in Buchanan, Tennessee. Once we docked, we realized we made a mistake and should of planned on saying a few days. The park is located on the Kentucky Lake with gorgeous views and hiking trails, a golf course, camping, bird sanctuary and full event calendar. Also, on the premise is the famous Lodge Restaurant. However, we opted to be adults and eat on board and do laundry. We did enjoy some docktails with other loopers, boaters and some locals, an interesting mix of folks.
The next day we enjoyed a beautiful, uneventful cruise over to Pebble Isle. Once settled, we borrowed the marina curtesy car and drove back to Paris to rent a car again for our next airplane/road trip. Once back at the marina we enjoyed some decktails with other loopers.
The next morning we washed the boat and prepared to leave for another few weeks. However the day started with fresh, hot cinnamon rolls delivered to the boat! OH, What a treat!
