Man Camping

Next it was on to Tennessee. While the guys went on a camping trip Cynthia, Grandmama, and Rebecca enjoyed a lazy weekend of watching Hallmark Christmas movies, too cold for them to be outside!

Tom, John, Bill, and I went to Nathan Bedford Forrest State Park for a weekend of camping fun. This park is a place that has been frequented by John and family over the years so it felt like home. It had been over 40 years since my last visit with Rebecca so it felt like new territory to me.

On the way to link up with Tom in Martin, TN we passed through Covington, TN where we noticed for the first time a collection of rare vintage cars outside American Closeout Wholesale LLC warehouse. We were awestruck to learn later that the warehouse is loaded with an amazing collection of restored vehicles.

After that we stopped at the final permanent home of David Crockett in Rutherford, TN where his mother is buried.

Upon arrival at Tom’s we went to work on his classic 1972 Chevy Nova Coupe for a couple of hours before leaving for the Park.

Despite a stiff cold north wind Bill and John cooked our meals over an open fire.

After our breakfast we were guided through the Park Museum by John. Located on top of Pilot Knob it is devoted to the history, flora, and fauna of the surrounding areas along the Tennessee river. Outside on the deck the ice was accumulating on the placards that pointed out the points of interest across the river in Johnsonville State Historic Park which was our next stop.

The battle of Johnsonville in November 1864 was one of the very few Confederate victories this late in the American Civil War. Major General Nathan Bedford Forest placed his confidence in his young artillerist Captain John Morton who had astutely spotted a grave error in the Union defense of this critical supply depot supporting General Sherman, who was then marching towards Atlanta GA. The Union gunboats could not elevate their cannons high enough and the hillside artillery were not able to depress their guns low enough to hit the Rebel guns across the river. When the smoke cleared less than two hours later the Union garrison commander ordered all the supplies burned. Forest withdrew that night by the light of the enemy’s burning property.

Returning to the other side of the river we enjoyed a good hike around Pilot Knob in the hushed fall woods.

When we all left going our separate ways we agreed to shoot for a longer stay for our next outing.