Defeated Creek

Several years ago while camping in Crossville, TN, we met some people who told us about Defeated Creek and what a beautiful park it was. It’s located on Cordell Hull Lake…that’s close to Carthage, TN…home of Al Gore, btw. Being a Corp of Engineers Park, if you have a Golden Age Passport, you can get in for half price. Being over the age of 62, Frank has the GAP, so we could stay for $12.50 a night! No wonder you have to book reservations six months in advance! However inexpensive, it’s the beauty and proximity to the lake that brings the campers. The Corp keeps the place well maintained and manicured; plus, the sites are huge…nicely spaced apart…and most have lakeside views with full hookups. We were just delighted when we arrived to find such a fantastic place and so close to Murfreesboro!

Lakeside Camping Sites at Defeated

Now, the main reason we came here was because we wanted to camp with our friends, Gregg and Carol. They once were Rvers, but gave it up years ago to become world travelers. Now, the itch to camp has returned and they decided to purchase something small to get started once again. In July they brought home a little "tag-along" unit…a Casita. I don’t think Carol’s ability to speak Spanish (she does teach it) and drink Margaritas had anything to do with the choice, but at least they can once again hit the open road and go for weekends in their little taco!!

So reservations were made at Defeated and then we invited some more friends to join us for our long weekend. We invited Marvin and Dawn and Gregg invited Lisa and Brian. I’m not going to mention that most of these people are still working professionals and that they decided to play hooky on a Friday…and a Monday!! Well, it was just too beautiful of a fall weekend not to!

Marvin and Dawn...Brian and Lisa

Our weekend couldn’t have been more perfect for camping and boating…did I mention Lisa and Brian brought along their new ski boat? We also rented a pontoon boat on Saturday to tool around the lake. Even "the boys", Marvin and Dawn’s two Cocker Spaniels, Bronson and Brady, could join us on board!

Boating and other Antics On Cordell Hull Lake

The weekend became an orgy…No Not That Kind!…of boating, eating, drinking, and eating...again and again!! Oh, and we can’t forget the campfires…mornings and nights! Captain Gregg would fuel the morning campfires…6:30 a.m. on the dot! So it was always morning coffee around the ole campfire. Sgt. Major Frank would see to building the night “cocktail” fire…then we could all get “blistered“!

Food was not a problem. We had the most "humongous" delicious breakfasts! Eating out in the morning air with the smell of the campfire…nothing could ever be better. Marvin and Dawn did the first morning at their site…sausage pinwheels, bacon, eggs, toast. You name it…we had it! Oh, and the tomatoes…can’t forget those. Gregg and Carol brought a huge box of tomatoes from their garden…homegrown;I had been looking for them all summer! The next mornings, we dined on country ham and biscuits, scrambled eggs, pancakes and sausage…all prepared by lovelies Lisa and Carol! Those were just the morning courses!

Ring the Bell! Breakfast is Ready!!

Evening meals of steaks, baked potatoes, salad, hamburgers, baked beans, potato salad…and I’m not even telling you about all the appetizers! Then there were the desserts!! Lemon Meringue pie (a surprise for Frank since he had been whining about wanting one), to-die-for chocolate brownies, and cheesecake…this was not camping!! This was over indulging!!

On Sunday after the Country Ham and biscuits, we went on a 70 mile boat trip. We had an objective…to lock through the Cordell Hull Dam. Brian, who was our boat Admiral that day, along with Gregg, had made the 1:30 appointment to go through the lock.

Upper Level of the Dam


We put the boat in below the dam on the Cumberland River. Having a few hours to kill before the appointment, we took a ride down the Cumberland. The water was smooth as glass that morning and not another soul out. We had it all to ourselves…a beautiful warm sunny day.

The Crew...Aaargh!

Lisa and Carol Vamping on the Cumberland

We arrived at the dam a little early, but the lock master was there ready to put us through. This lock would rise over 60 feet to bring us up and into the Cordell Hull Lake on the other side. That’s a pretty big lock considering this summer we visited the Soo Locks and they only rose 35 feet.

Approaching the Lock

We were the only boat going through. Surprising they would open the lock for just one, but this is a service provided by the Corp of Engineers at no charge. The only catch…you can only go one way on the same day…that’s their policy and no changing it! Later, the men would have to drive Brian back to the boat ramp to pick up the truck and boat trailer.

Going In and Closed

The ride to the top and back out onto the lake went off without a hitch. Some in the boat were expecting roiling waters and a possibility of slamming into the side of the lock while the waters rose. I think they were a bit disappointed of such a smooth ride up! Anyway, we were back up and ready for more boating. This time a trip up to Granville Marina where we planned to have dinner.

Up and Out of the Lock

Arriving at Granville, we found the nicest marina complete with restaurant and cabins. Usually marinas can be rather unkempt, but this one had plenty of lakeside charm. We ordered baskets of fried catfish with all the “fixin’s” and dined on their outside patio overlooking the marina. We were even allowed to bring our own wine…during the weekend there was never a shortage of wine...or tomatoes!!

Monday was our last day, and after another morning breakfast and boat ride, all had to leave us to go back to the work world on Tuesday…except for Marvin; he’s a young retiree, too! We had a fabulous camping weekend with everyone and we were sad to see everyone leave (we stayed two more days). However, we will be planning a reunion again next year…this has to become an annual event!

So Until Next Year...Hasta La Vista Amigos!!
We'll be Back!!

Murfreesboro

Our time in Tennessee visiting family and friends always puts us in a whirlwind as we try to get in all the visiting, shopping, and of course eating! We made our last visit right before we left in June for our summer trip, so it was time once again for a reunion. We got to visit with all the family: Mama Grace, sisters Mary and Sissy, along with the brother-in-laws, nieces, and nephews.

Niece Lane and her Friend Adam....Mom and Coco

Brother-in-law Allan....Sissy and Mom

This trip home was also special because I got to spend time with some friends... from grade school through high school...who I had not seen in several years. During the summer, I missed my 40th high school reunion, but I had kept up with all the communications about the events. Karen and Jackie joined me for lunch and were able to catch me up on the reunion and other events that had been taking place in their lives. It was great seeing them again, and we all agreed that we shouldn’t let so much time go by without keeping in touch!

Life Long Friends

Of course I never go home without getting to spend some time with my best friend Sherry. We always try to get together for a little shopping, dining time, and maybe even a little “wine” time! While I spend time with Sherry, Frank usually hit’s the links with his good bud Smitty.

Sherry and Tommy... aka YaYa and T Daddy by their Grandchildren Lola and Hugh

We also had a new dining experience while here. My niece Lane and her friend Adam told us we just had to go to a place called KirkenBurt’s for “Redneck Nachos”! This concoction was made with tortilla chips, melted cheese, pulled pork barbeque, and white beans, covered with barbeque sauce. DELICIOUS!! Great place and we will definitely go back. KirkenBurt’s is owned by the brother of our good friend Ray who we visit when we go through Birmingham…Suzanne and Ray.

Kirk of KirkenBurt's...Home of the Redneck Nachos!

While in the “Boro”, we also planned a long camping weekend with friends at nearby Defeated Creek on Cordell Hull Lake. That turned out to be quite the adventure! Read about that in the next entry!

Love to all our family and friends in our hometown!

Kentucky Horse Park

Lexington, Kentucky is home to the University of Kentucky Wildcats and horses, horses, and more horses! This is one of the prettiest places you will find in the USA. It isn’t called the Bluegrass state for nothing…that is when there is enough rain to keep it green! Kentucky, like many of the southern states, has suffered this summer with a lack of the wet stuff. Coming earlier in the Spring, you will find lush green carpeting covering the rolling hills of Kentucky.

One of the main reasons we came to Lexington (besides it being on the way to Tennessee) was because we had heard many of our RVing friends talk about staying at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground and how nice it was. So we made the reservation. In the five days we have been here, we have discovered a different breed…a cult of sorts…the world of the equestrian.



The campground sits right in the middle of the equine theme park and competition facility. The park is home to 50 different breeds of horses, large and small. Here visitors can experience the sights and sounds of a real working horse farm while exploring the grounds and also view live presentations and special events.

Jumping Competition and Women's Polo

The weekends are the busiest; that’s when the place fills up with avid horse people coming in for competitions. Horses and riders are all about the park buzzing like bees with the excitement of getting those blue ribbons. The campsites across the road from our rig were filled with horse trailers designed with bunk sleeping, not the traditional camper or RV! It’s an interesting place!

Sunday, when the area was quieter, we went to the park and took the walking tour of the facility. Not only are there museums, but also several presentations. There was a Parade of Breeds show, Hall of Champions presentation, and a trolley ride pulled by the farm’s working draft horses.

Frank Makes Friends and A Pretty Lady Rides a Pretty Pony

The grounds are dotted with beautiful statues of legendary horses such as Man-O-War and Secretariat. Others depict young foals at play and a jockey riding the course of the steeplechase.






Just outside The Big Barn, a cemetery honoring many bygone champions and mares is dotted with marble headstones revealing information of the horse that lay buried there. The head, heart, and feet are buried in symbolic ceremonial fashion, but the body is cremated and the ashes strewn over the pastures in hopes of securing a good breeding season. We learned the first horse to be entirely embalmed was Man-O-War. Along with several of his sons, Man-O-War is buried inside the memorial where his statue stands.

Man-O-War's Memorial

The Big Barn and Inside the Big Barn

Most impressive was the presentation of the Champions. The park is now home to several horses that won big purses during their days of racing. These powerful racing thoroughbreds are shown daily while a video is played of the races that tell their stories. The stallions: Cigar, CH Gypsy Supreme, Kona Gold, Da Hoss, and Western Dreamer are now retired and will live their final days in peace and tranquility at the horse farm.
Taking rides through the back roads of the countryside surrounding the city of Lexington, we found horse farm after horse farm. Grand homes with large stable barns dot the land with white clap board double fences that would probably look like a giant patchwork quilt if we could view it from the air. Thoroughbreds graze lazily in the paddocks; often we heard that neighing whinny, blowing sound of horse calling to horse.

Lining the roads are handsome stone fences that we learned were called Dry Stone Fences. No mortar holds these stacked stones together. It is the mastery of the stonemason that gives them their stability. The fences are like a trademark of the area and have become a tradition of a bygone era worth saving and reconstructing.

We have enjoyed our stay here and would definitely return. It's a unique place nestled amid the park’s 1,200 acres of gently rolling hills. It’s a world of past Champions and those who aspire to become Champions…it’s a horse lover’s dream.

Tomorrow, September 10, we leave for Murfreesboro to visit with Mama Grace, family, and friends. We have almost come full circle to the beginning of where we started.