Lex and I went and scouted Jones Creek (Dickson County) this week for a future canoe trip. After driving around on some really great TN back roads we found some interesting sights along the way:

Dickson County Courthouse was built in 1833. It is the oldest courthouse still in use in TN.

Mules being trained for a “Mule Pull” missed the picture. Lex really needs to drive a bit slower.

Lunch at The Pit, from what Lex and I could tell this might be the only restaurant in Charlotte, TN. The BBQ was great and we loved the fries.

The Hickerson Hotel on the Charlotte Square Historic District was built in 1853 and was the Union Headquarters in this area during the Civil War.

Finally some pictures of Jones Creek.

We went to the take-out/put-in on

Petty Road

and I am not sure we could maneuver our Old Town Canoe down the banks at this site. We then made our way up to the take out at Timber Ridge and at this location we thought we might be on private property. Lots of No Trespassing signs for some kind of Hunting Club.  

Jones Creek might be great for kayaks but with our 16 foot Old Town Canoe I am not sure how it would navigate. At some points the creek looked narrow and other places a bit shallow. Also, access might be a problem for us with the canoe. It is a bit bulky.

I know the Aquaholics Group will be paddling this creek on Sunday. I am anxious to hear how it goes for them. It looks like a beautiful trip and wish we could join you but not sure our canoe would make the trip.  

Aquaholics have a great trip!!!

Duck River Howard Bridge to Fountain Creek

Estimated Length:  4.5 Miles                 

Date:  December 14, 2011            

Weather: Sunny and in the high 60’s 

Time on River:  1 and 1/2 hours

River Conditions:  Class I            

Distance from Nashville: 45 minutes

Close By: I-65 and Columbia, TN

Put-In: Howard Bridge 

Take-Out: Fountain Creek

Highlights:

This was our last trip of the year and what a gorgeous day to end our 2011 journeys on the Duck River. We could not pass up the good weather and decided to take a quick river trip. Needless to say we had the river to ourselves. The put-in at Howard Bridge is easy, with a car ramp down to the river and a great big parking lot.

 

Howard Bridge



This section of the  Duck River Blueway  is a designated state river and is located in the Yanahli Wildlife Management Area. The trip includes bluffs, islands and the occasional rapids The perfect place to relax with all the holiday stress going on. Mile 148.9  is the beginning of “Stillhouse Hole” claiming to be the deepest spot on the Duck.



Fountain Creek



River access at Fountain Creek is steep but easily recognizable with the Creek flowing into the Duck right before the take-out. Trying to get to this location by car is somewhat tricky, many of the back roads have been washed out. You will need to get back on Hwy 50, do not follow your GPS  unless your car can jump rivers.  

 

Greetings for the New Year! And Happy Paddling in 2012!!!

Duck River Cortner Mill to ThreeForks Bridge

Estimated Length:  6.8                         

Date:  Nov. 8 2011

Weather:  Sunny and in the  70’s

Time on River: 2 1/2 hours            

River Conditions:  Class I            

Distance from Nashville: One hour         

Close By: Shelbyville 

Put-In:  Cortner Mill

Take-Out: Three Forks Bridge

Highlights:

Cortner Mill river access is located on the Parish Patch Farm and Inn. The Inn has limited hours of operation and requires reservations but it’s a lovely setting and their menu looks very appetizing. The put-in for this section of the Duck is right in front of the Inn, so there is lots of parking and you can walk right up the river’s edge. There is access to put-in at the Normandy Dam a few miles up river but you will have to portage around the dam at Cortner Mill. 

The water was running fast and high the day we tackled this upper section of river.  What we thought would be a 3-4 hour trip was completed in 2 1/2.  With the high water, the river became a bit more of a technical challenge. Lex and I canoed this section earlier in the summer and remembered it as being a slow leisurely float. This time we encountered more riffles and deadfall. There are not as many bluffs as other sections of the Duck but has more pastoral views. With farms just beyond the line of trees on the rivers edge. 

Three Forks Bridge take-out is easily recognized from the river but does require a series of steep steps to get back up to the parking lot. Now that the cold weather is here, we not sure when our next trip will be but the goal is to canoe at least one day every month of the year. So come join us…..