WELCOME TO TENNESSEE’S Upper Cumberland Stay & Play 2020 2 / 2020 TENNESSEE’S UPPER CUMBERLAND UPPERCUMBERLAND.ORG UPPERCUMBERLAND.ORG 2020 TENNESSEE’S UPPER CUMBERLAND / 3 4 / 2020 TENNESSEE’S UPPER CUMBERLAND UPPERCUMBERLAND.ORG UPPERCUMBERLAND.ORG 2020 TENNESSEE’S UPPER CUMBERLAND / 5 N 0 5 10 miles 6/ 2020 TENNESSEE’S UPPER CUMBERLAND UPPERCUMBERLAND.ORG UPPERCUMBERLAND.ORG 2020 TENNESSEE’S UPPER CUMBERLAND / 7 2020 Upper Cumberland Stay & Play Magazine Covering the 14 counties of the Upper Cumberland in Tennessee: Cannon | Clay | Cumberland Cumberland River Contents photocredit Chuck Sutherland |DeKalb | Fentress | Jackson | Macon | Overton | Pickett | Putnam |Smith | Van Buren | Warren | White Publisher FEATURE STORIES Upper Cumberland Contents Tourism Association 10 Incredible Rivers of the Upper Cumberland Executive Director & Publisher Ruth Dyal Kayaking, Canoeing & Fishing Art & Design REGULARS H. L. Harder moosecreekmedia.com 15 Exploring the UC County by County 16 Cannon Editors 6 Upper Cumberland Map H. L. Harder & Elisabeth Jones 17 Clay 19 Cumberland Contributing Writers Paddling the Caney Fork 20 Dekalb Following the Wine Trail H. L. Harder, Ruth Dyal, 52 Events & Festivals Calendar 23 Fentress Clayton Hensley, Molly Brown, Marvin Bullock, Shelby Brooks Templin 24 Jackson 25 Macon Contributing Photographers 26 Overton Chuck Sutherland, H. L. Harder, 56 Marketplace 28 Pickett Joel Blazewicz, Clayton Hensley 29 Putnam Bill Luton, Sunset Marina & Resort, James Purkey, Lana Rossi, 31 Smith Tony Luna, Steve Craft, 58 Membership Directory 33 Van Buren Billie Davis, Aaron Burden, 34 Warren Katelyn Scott 37 White Cookeville-Putnam County Visitors’ Bureau, Huff & Puff Trucking 40 Life is Good When You’re Golfing Ad Creation ON THE COVER A Golfing Paradise Bill Luton, Pamela (Dawn) White, Street Fair in Smithville H.L. Harder Image by H. L. Harder Sgt. Alvin C. York State Park in Fentress County Printing 42 Wine, Stein & Shine PrintLink Printing We arrived at the crack of dawn when the fog 320 Transport Dr, still rolled thick over the river. I had coerced Where Can I Get a Drink Around Here? Cookeville, TN 38506 Billie Davis, the owner of Canoe the Caney, to 931-537-7474 rise with the roosters - not her usual style but she’s a good sport - so we could capture the Published by magic first light. Smithville: At the Center of it All Upper Cumberland 46 Tourism Association As the sun rose, it began burning off the fog Always Something Going On P.O.Box 2411 and revealed the mirror-like surface of the Cookeville TN 38506 Caney. A bald eagle, searching for breakfast, Phone: (931)-537-6347 soared right over Billie’s head. In the story Fax: (931) – 537-6891 Welcome to Muddy Pond Toll Free: (800)-868-7237 “Incredible Rivers of the Upper Cumberland” 48 [email protected] (page 10), you can see the eagle, albeit as a A Memorable Mennonite-Amish Experience uppercumberland.org distant, wavy speck. We were transfixed. The Upper Cumberland has that effect on nature lovers. It can reach Keep Calm & Go Golfing The Story of White Plains Friendly Greeting at right out and leave you joyfully breathless. 50 Tour An Antebellum Plantation House Muddy Pond 8 / 2020 TENNESSEE’S UPPER CUMBERLAND UPPERCUMBERLAND.ORG UPPERCUMBERLAND.ORG 2020 TENNESSEE’S UPPER CUMBERLAND / 9 INCREDIBLE RIVERS of the UPPER CUMBERLAND day on the river is as relaxing or as thrilling an adventure as you want to make it. It’s a place to make memories with family, friends A and fellow travelers, to escape the trials of the daily grind and lend you a fresh perspective on life. If you want to venture off the beaten path and to connect with nature, the beautiful rivers of the Upper Cumberland hold something for everyone, from gentle paddles through lush countryside to whitewater kayaking for all skill levels. If you are an angler, the broad slow rivers and peaceful lakes yield an abundance of fish, from bass to trout, bluegill to catfish, and some of the best sauger fishing you are likely to find in Tennessee. Caney Fork River A bald eagle silently soars above, hunting for breakfast. Fish ripple the water in search of tasty insects. The water is placid and glassy, ideal for a morning paddle, but it can move surprisingly fast when Center Hill Dam releases water. This is the Caney Fork, known for its beauty and peaceful demeanor, and a favorite for canoe and kayak enthusiasts and anglers alike. photocredit Hal L. Harder 10 / 2020 TENNESSEE’S UPPER CUMBERLAND UPPERCUMBERLAND.ORG UPPERCUMBERLAND.ORG 2020 TENNESSEE’S UPPER CUMBERLAND / 11 photocredit Chuck Sutherland photocredit Chuck Sutherland photocredit Chuck Sutherland Above: Collins River, Warren County Left: Caney Fork River: Heron Designated as a “Scenic River,” the Collins River is a tributary of the Caney Fork, and flows about 60 miles through the It’s always a good idea to have bin- Cumberland Plateau. The overhanging woods hug the banks as the river leisurely makes it way westward, which makes oculars and a camera handy around for a relaxing and peaceful paddle. Renowned for its fishing, the Collins River is one of the few rivers in Tennessee stocked the rivers and lakes of the Upper with Muskie. Cumberland. Top Right: Confluence of the Cumberland River and the Obey River, Clay County Turtles sunbathe on logs, river ot- The Cumberland River was an important river highway in the 1700’s, and supported a large riverboat trade. The river is ters play and white-tailed deer are popular among water enthusiasts, and there are a number of parks, boat ramps and facilities along the way, making a day or a common sight. Great Blue Herons overnight paddle appealing. and Yellow-Crowned Night Herons The Obey River is a favorite canoeing, kayaking and fishing destination. The campground beside the Obey, managed by fish in the waters. Songbirds like the the US Army Corps of Engineers, has just about anything a camper could want. It is located right by the Dale Hollow National Indigo Bunting, Acadian Flycatcher, fish hatchery. To the delight of fishermen, the hatchery is one of the main reasons the Obey contains such large numbers of Scarlet Tanager and Yellow-Throated rainbow and brown trout. Warblers nest in the area. Hawks, osprey and eagles are royalty of the Middle Right: Caney Fork River, Rock Island State Park, Warren and White County skies, while Rock Island State Park Located at the headwaters of Center Hill Lake at the confluence of the Caney Fork, Collins and Rocky Rivers, Rock Island has one of the largest Black Vulture State Park offers easy access for recreational boating. The park is also known for its whitewater kayaking, and it has hosted a roosts in the state of Tennessee. number of international freestyle kayaking events. photocredit Joel Blazewicz 12 / 2020 TENNESSEE’S UPPER CUMBERLAND UPPERCUMBERLAND.ORG UPPERCUMBERLAND.ORG 2020 TENNESSEE’S UPPER CUMBERLAND / 13 Connect with nature & yourself Nestled in the verdant forests of Tennessee’s Upper Cumberland, Isha Institute of Inner-sciencesINSTITUTE OF INNERSCIENCES oers a much needed mountain retreat for all visitors. Founded and guided by Sadhguru, Isha MCMINNVILLE, TN Institute oers an array of programs. "... a hidden yoga paradise in TN" - Southern Living Explore more than 10 miles of hiking trails, leading to dramatic "17 Life-Changing Spiritual waterfalls and breathtaking Retreats Around the World" overlooks. - Travel + Leisure FREE DAILY SESSIONS • Guided Meditation • Beginner-Level Yoga Exploring the EVENTS UC Free Yoga& CELEBRATIONS Day Jan 11, Feb 29 countyby or stop by the many cafes Inner Engineering Retreat ach county in the UC has county something unique to offer where musicians gather in the Jan 23 Evisitors, whether it’s sparkling evening. See Broadway plays ishaUSA.org at the Cumberland County Open Daily 9am-5pm (CST) - 36, Feb 13 lakes, breathtaking waterfalls, lush hills or historic town Playhouse and enjoy perfor- squares. You can follow wind- mances of a symphony orches- - 16 ing roads to antique shops, arts tra. Visit a New-Deal home- 14 / 2020 TENNESSEE’S UPPER CUMBERLAND stead community or part of the Find our programs nationwide at: and crafts stores, quilt trails legendary Trail of Tears. Come InnerEngineering.com/Eventfinder and shows, and gourmet cafes. Certicate of Excellence Trace your family’s history in and see the home of Sgt York, Isha Institute of Inner-sciences heritage museums, and stay in who was awarded the Medal 951 Isha Lane McMinnville, TN 37110 | (931) 668-1900 our many cozy bed & breakfast of Honor, and of Cordell Hull, a inns, cabins, or enjoy the com- Nobel Prize-winning diplomat. To Visit: [email protected] Or taste the wines at our many For Groups: [email protected] forts of first class hotels. local wineries. Explore our beautiful state parks. Dale Hollow, Cordell Hull The counties of the Upper and Center Hill lakes offer end- Cumberland offer natural less activities including house beauty, Tennessee heritage and boating, swimming, canoeing, plenty of that genuine South- fishing, camping, hiking, and ern hospitality. Check us out white water rafting. Listen to in the next few pages and then UPPERCUMBERLAND.ORG bluegrass music in a general y’all come see us! store in an old riverboat town, UPPERCUMBERLAND.ORG 2020 TENNESSEE’S UPPER CUMBERLAND / 15 CANNON COUNTY CLAY COUNTY Clay County Courthouse in the 70s. Built in 1873, it is on the National Register of Historic Places. Pickin’ Party on the Square photocredit Huff & Puff Trucking Readyville Mill & Goodness Gracious Café During this year’s Sesquicentennial, Celina and the merchants around the square are planning many events. Take time to browse the period furniture, antiques and estate Between Chattanooga and Nashville, you’ll Build in 1812, the Readyville Mill is over 200 years old. It is located jewelry.