Although at 18' Therapy is a small cruiser, the berth handles two adults much better than most would expect.  We can sit up resting against the aft bulkhead and read or set the DVD player between us and watch a movie. The only hassle is our gear must be moved out to the seats or on top of the instrument panel. But there it is still under roof and with the aft curtain dropped remains dry even when raining. We both rested well as long rides do tend to make sleep come easy.

The next morning we are on our way with a short hop to the lock. Approaching we find it a busy Saturday morning with numerous fishing boats and several dozen fishermen working from the banks. There is a tow sitting at the bottom gates so it’s obvious it is the second half of a double in progress.  After a delayed response the lockmaster advises it will be about an hour wait. Knowing an anchor won't hold this close to the lock we tie off on the longwall and wait.  Vickie spends part of the time with a brush, hairspray and makeup. Knowing no amount of enhancements is going to help my looks I lean back with a boating magazine. Life is good!

Once the lockage is complete we are again on our way. The conditions are almost a perfect repeat of yesterday with light winds and smooth water. We both thoroughly enjoy the 42 mile ride from the lock to downtown Nashville. Arriving at the municipal dock about 12:30 pm I am surprised to find there are no other boats.  When I had called earlier in the week to make the reservation I was informed if we were coming to Nashville it needed to be this weekend because after that they were booked full for the next 2 months. But this weekend it looks as though we would have the place to ourselves.

We secure Therapy and make the short climb up the sidewalk to the top of the riverbank which places us in the heart of downtown Nashville.  The Hard Rock Cafe is on the right, the Big River Bar and Grill on the left and on down the street are dozens of little honky-tonk bars with country music pouring out their open doors. We decide on one that has seating at a large window open to the street and have a sandwiches and beverage. The weather is still just beautiful and we enjoy a leisurely lunch watching the parade of tourist that have probably never even seen a cow pie all decked out in cowboy hats and boots. An interesting city indeed.

After lunch we walk the strip hitting every open shop, souvenir and other.  We buy nothing but Vickie seems to be enjoying herself. We casually waste away the rest of the afternoon and finally find ourselves back at the boat to clean up a little for our evening meal.  Vickie's favorite dessert - Chocolate Ecstasy Cake - is served at the Big River and that is where we have dinner. Afterwards we again take off walking. This time we leave the riverfront area and make our way about ten blocks to the Tennessee State Capitol building located on the highest point in Nashville. This alone is an impressive complex but from there you can look northeast and view the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park that stretches out at the foot of the hill for about 1/2 mile.

We decide to continue our stroll and walked down through the 19 acre mall which contains an amphitheater, visitor center, WWII Memorial, a 1400 ft wall engraved with the history of the area and many other items of interest.  All in all, it is a very remarkable park and had not the sun been setting we would have explored more.

As we meandered our way back Vickie made a comment out about her feet hurting. It wasn't until then I noticed she had changed from her tennis shoes to dress shoes. (Yea, she took dress shoes) A little annoyed I ask why she had changed and she replied she want something nicer for dinner.  I guess it is a woman thing.  She tends to live by the Billy Crystal/Saturday Night Live line - "It is better to look good than to feel good!" I, on the other hand, like to defer to one of the worlds most famous philosophers - Doctor Phil - who said, "You wouldn't worry so much what other people think about you, if you realized how seldom they do."

But I have to say she comes by it honestly.  A week or so ago she had me pull in to a local Walgreens as she needed to pick-up something for her mother. She came out with a small boxed item and I asked what it was. She informed me it was "Sudden Change."

"What's if for?"

"My mother likes to apply it around her eyes."

"Why?"

"She says it reduces the wrinkles."

"What?"

"She says it makes her look younger."

 "YOUNGER? Your mother is 85 years old! What's she going for, the look of an 80 year old?"

Obviously, this wasn't the most sensitive thing I have ever uttered and by the glazing over of her eyes I knew Vickie was going to her happy place. You know, we all have our happy place. Mine is daydreaming about cruising down a serene river. Vickie's is a mental vision of her hands tightening around my throat squeezing out that last sarcastic remark before she entombs my body with mega coats of hairspray and finger nail polish!

Oh, sorry, this is supposed to be about boating - back to the trip.

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