Land Between the Lakes?

T

txmntman

New member
Seems like the ‘Land Between the Lakes’ would be a great place to go. Lots of water, two huge lakes that come together, wonderful scenery. Just thinking would anyone be interested in a gathering there in2023? Has anyone cruised that area who can shed some light on these lakes? It looks to be a very interesting area. Let me know your thoughts!
For those not familiar, Land between the Lakes is the land between Kenyucky Lake and Lake Barkley in Kentucky and Tennessee. Supposedly a “boater’s Paradise”
 
I had given some thought to starting the Meet in the Middle gathering back up, but rather than on the Mississippi, moving it to one of the Lakes you are looking at. (Kentucky Lake or Lake Barkley.) I decided I really didn't want the responsibility to host a gathering, and like my flexibility to change plans at the last minute. That being said, I think that area would make for a wonderful gathering location. There are numerous marinas and state parks in the area, and both the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers offer some great cruising for before or after any gathering. I believe if you posted dates early enough, you could get a decent turn out of up to 20 boats. (Considering past gatherings on the Meet in the Middle on the Mississippi River.) l have in the past been able to park my truck and trailer (with no problems) at the Kentucky Lake Dam State Park, for several weeks at a time. But not without some hesitation. Officially, long term (or even overnight) parking is not allowed. However in direct communication with the park ranger, was told it would be ok. Getting a hold of the park ranger is somewhat difficult, and doubtful authorization would be given for a large group to park. There is one marina on the Barkley side I believe, that is also a KOA, and would welcome us. But dicey getting in to their marina during low water levels. (Have to follow charts closely). (The lake is drawn down to winter pool starting in late September. But should be back up with the Spring rains/floods) But there are still many other marinas that may be available. I don't have my information any more, but one or two marinas said overnighting on one's boat would not be allowed.... In the past, the Meet in the Middle was held the first weekend after Labor Day. This is probably a good time to continue, as boating activity has died down some, but most the marinas are still open, and water levels still good. Early October offers some great fall colors.
Land Between the Lakes has one area, Patti's Settlement, that offers some interesting shops and good restaurants. Lighthouse marina is right there, but my experience is they don't have a lot of slips available during the height of boating season. There are nice areas to just anchor out as well, and perhaps finding a anchorage with good beach access would work well also. In summary, both Barkley and Kentucky Lakes would offer a great place for a gathering. Another Lake I'd recommend would be Lake Cumberland. There are two marinas side by side, the Lake Cumberland State Dock, and then the Jamestown Safe Harbor Marina. I prefer Jamestown, as there is ample parking that is also very secure. The Lake is big enough to also allow some slow cruising around it's expansive shoreline, or plenty of other water activities.
And yes, if the timing worked out within my schedule, I'd be very interested in attending a gathering on any of these lakes. Colby
 
Colby, I’m not sure what all is involved with “hosting” a gathering, but I would be up for calling marinas, finding a place to launch, a place to put the boats, find out about parking the trailers… but I don’t know the lakes, having never been up there.
Folks, let me know how many might be interested in “Meeting in the Middle” sometime in Sept - Oct of 2023, so I have a clue when I talk to the marinas. No pressure, I just need to know whether we are talking about 2 boats or 20 boats.
Thanks! I think it could be tons of fun!
 
txmntman thanks for volunteering to "host" the meeting. What you have proposed is what is necessary. Typically there are at least one potluck dinner, but that is up to those who are coming. For example at Apalachicola, there were all meals except lunch provided, but Marc Grove (Wefings) had all of the facilities and cookers etc. Others there have been just meals at local restaurants. The Lake Powell gatherings were all in a fairly remote area and boats just stern or bow to the beach, but they were in a calm area, where there were no wakes to contend with.

We would be up for a gathering "in the middle". (18' Caracal Cat and our RV). We will be willing to help in anyway we can. There are a number of C Dory owners who live within a day or so drive from this area.

We are most familiar with Pickwick Lake (have friends who live on the Lake and Marie grew up spending many weekends on Pickwick.). There is a state park and a marina.

Many from the middle of the US come to the Hontoon St. John's River gathering in March. Great way to attend a gathering, and meet other C brats.
 
I'd be interested in gatherings in the middle. My actual attendance would depend on when it was exactly and work schedules.
 
I checked my charts, and the marina I was thinking of, is Prizer Point KOA and Marina. It's on Lake Barkley. It'd probably be a nice place for a gathering. They also have a pool. And anybody that wanted to come in a camper, it's also a campground. Lighthouse Landing Marina, on the Kentucky Lake side, is just a few blocks from Patti's Settlement at Land Between the Lakes. As I stated earlier, they usually don't have a lot of slips available, but you never know. Green Turtle Bay is another large marina at the north end of Lake Barkley, also near Patti's Settlement. For any cruising along either the Tennessee or Cumberland Rivers, Jerry Hey puts out a very nice Guide Book on each River. This would also cover areas along the lakes, since they are impoundments of the Rivers. Both lakes offer some great views and plenty of water for cruising. However, like many damned up rivers, there are places you can go out of the channels without worry, but other places you have to pay attention to the charts or stay in the buoyed channels. This would especially be true at lower pools. I do have a number of waypoints and tracks saved for this area, and if you have navigation software, such as Homeport, I'm more than willing to share the file. There are so many ramps and marinas around those two lakes, or even the rivers, that one could launch wherever they felt inclined to, and then cruise to the gathering. There is a small canal crossover at the north end of the lakes to get from one to the other.

I'll reiterate what I said also about Lake Cumberland. It is a very scenic lake, and the State Park offers not only the marina and campground, but a hotel and cabins as well. This is also true at some of the State Parks on Kentucky and Barkley Lakes. Kentucky has some great State Park destinations. The Jamestown Safe Harbor marina on Lake Cumberland also offers camping and lodging. Unfortunately, you can not cruise from the Kentucky/Barkley Lakes into Lake Cumberland. Colby
 
We are presently in Clifton Tennessee at the Clifton Marina doing the Great Loop. We were at Green Turtle Bay about 10 days ago. Great Marina with lots of slips. However lots of loopers this time of year. Not near as many in early September. The meet in the middle gathering was traditionally held the first weekend after Labor Day. Nice cruising that time of year but a little warm. I hope you can get it all together as we miss the gatherings that Ken and Tex held in years past. My wife and I have hosted the Hontoon Island gathering in Florida for the last 9 years and each one has been a joy. Looking forward to number 10! If you want any advice you can always PM me.

Glad to see that making the callls…..Thanks Tom
 
That would be a great place to have this, Early Oct. would be a great time (My Openion) We have been looking at the Lakes but have never been there. We are very interested in a Cruse there. 22 ft Pandy Girl
 
I don't know about the Tennessee lakes, but on the upper Mississippi, marinas are starting to shut down for the winter in Late September. Finding fuel could be a problem. So that should be checked out, if you want to cruise the lakes and rivers out of the Land between the Lakes area. (Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers)
 
I've done the Cumberland River the last two weeks of October (Lake Barkley) and had no problems finding fuel or open marinas. (Neither of which I needed, but still passed through a few.) But as Bob said, always best to know what's available before boating later in the season. Colby
 
JohnnyD":2g92zc8d said:
I work full time with not as much vacation as I'd like. However, I'd be in if the gathering incorporated a weekend.
Click to expand...

Unfortunately the Hontoon, gathering is on a week day because of potential crowding at the marina on a weekend. That is a day's drive away for you. But the land between the middle will be a bit longer--which can be done in a long day. We usually go I 10 to Mobile, AL. US 45 thru Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee and Kentucky to US 68 and to the land between the lakes area. Where you leave 45 depends on what marina is selected'
 
Thanks for your input, Dr. Bob, by the way it was a pleasure to meet you and Marie at the Hontoon gathering in March. I know that you’re a generous person with all the help that you provide here, I’ve learned so much from you and the others. Furthermore, when I asked my dad (Bob) to grab a bag of ice from the Hontoon store because I current didn’t have my wallet, you reached in your pocket to help us out; I declined but your generosity was showing through once again.

I didn’t bring my 2006, 22’ Cruiser to the gathering b/c I was having her re-powered (2022 Suzuki 115 – drive by wire), but I’m itching to do so now. My dad (Bob), a fellow C-Dory owner (another Bob) (1999, 22’ Cruiser) from Panama City and I stayed at one of the Hooton cabins which allowed us to stay on the island, mingle and listen to your teachings as well as John’s. It was a great experience and nice to put faces with communications here on C-Brats….James, Colby, Mike, yourself and others.
I was lobbying for the “meet in the middle” gathering to be over a weekend for (selfish reasons) saving of vacation days.

P.S. I hope James is ok…I haven’t seen him post since Ian hit and I know his area got hit extremely hard; historic rainfall water which he’s probably still dealing with, as well as no electricity. I can relate having lived through Hurricane Michael in 2018, it’ll take years to recover from Ian.
 
Back
Top