My Tennessee Travels: Red River in Clarksville, TN

Okay, so I had a lot of things planned for these guys to do while they were here. However, I think that we wore Beth out yesterday 'cuz she slept in until 12:06 pm! The rest of us were up and at 'em at 7:00am.

The boys and Sky left to have some more fun. So, after she got ready, we left to go meet them. They were in Clarksville (hour away), at the Boy Scout Campground playing in the Red River. Sky has a friend that lives in Clarksville and told us about this place. They brought tubes and went tubing. It was still raining off and on all day, so that is why the river looks so dirty.

These 2 were having a blast! They were a riot to watch. I loved to hear them laughing all the way down the river.

Everyone wore shoes, they said that it was rocky and that there were sticks everywhere. So, as these guys were floatin down he river, we ran over to the bridge and took pictures of them from up on top.

Bart was able to have a good visit with his Mom, and even tried to find her a 4-leaf clover in the grassy area for her.

Here is what he found! (Don't let him fool ya tho - he couldn't really find one, so he made one himself.

Then Beth explained to us how her and her sisters would find leaves, and then turn them over and pull out the "veins". It was what they did for entertainment.

It was a great day - it was a bit hot and rainy, but then you had the river to cool off in.

Brandon convinced us to go and play in the river too. So, we made a quick change into our bathing suits. He made sure that we were all set with the inter tubes, and we headed in that direction.

It was kind of tricky getting into the water. There was really no easy way to do it. It was really slippery, so Bart had to help me get down to the water line.

Once I got close enough, then Bart had to get himself down there too. We had to help each other out.

When it was time, Bart said to just turn around and fall into the tube. As you can tell by my face - it was a little COLD!

But after getting situated, it did feel really good. We held onto each others tubes so that we didn't get separated, and we floated all the way down. The water was moving at a pretty good pace, and there were places where there were a few little 'white caps'. It was so relaxing and peaceful. Since the water was muddy not many people were in it - so that made plenty of room for our group!

My Gang (miss you Bryan - he started a new job and wasn't able to take time off from work yet).

As I said before, it was muddy and slippery. Sky slipped and fell in the mud - but doesn't she wear it well?

Me & Sky 2015 Bryce (20), Bart, Me & Brandon (24)

These 2 had THE best time together. They never quit playing the whole time that we were there. The place where we were at, the river circled the whole camp ground. So, we would jump in at one end of the river - float all the way around as far as we could - then would get out and do it all again.

Partners in Crime!

Sky was so excited to see Sky, but I think Bryce wasn't as much.

Soooo, Brandon and some of Sky's military buddies saw that there was a rope that had been tied up in the tree. They figured out that someone had been swinging off of it, and landing in the water. It had been cut short (I think they didn't want people jumping from it), so Brandon went to his truck and got another rope, and added to it. Let the fun begin!!!

Brandon tested it out, and then put some knots in it so that they had some places for some hand holds. This kid is always prepared and never ceases to amaze me! (Maybe it is the Eagle Scout in him).

Then Brandon was the first one to test it out.

Then it was Jake's turn.

Then Bryce wasn't far behind him. He made it look so easy! These guys sure are strong!

Not to be out done - Brandon went again. He never stopped the whole time I was watching. Yes, I did say watching, I didn't even attempt to do it. I have no upper body strength, and I didn't want to be the entertainment of the day!

Then Bart got into it. I was impressed. He was able to keep up with those younger kids. But I have to say that the one kid - said, "Man I have never seen someone as hairy as you! We have nick named you Fuzzy Bear! Bart said - "Hey, I earned every one of these!"

Brandon thought of everything. It was hard getting in and out of the water, so he ran a rope from the deck that was at the top of the hill, down to the water, so that they could grab onto it and pull themselves back up.

Then, he would line it up for the next guy.

Then they changed the game up a bit. They wanted to see who could actually land in the inner tube.

Brandon and Bryce stayed in the water to "set" the inner tube while the person got ready. Then Bart swung out, and landed right in it!

I think Bryce ended up landing in it too.

I think Brandon is a natural monkey. He had so much fun!

We only got to play for a couple of hours because Beth slept in, and we had to get back to start cooking our 4th of July dinner. The boys stayed behind and played some more though.