🏊‍♀️🏊‍♀️🏊‍♀️🏊‍♀️2000 June 24, Saturday, McFarland Swimming

At about mid-morning on Saturday, we loaded into my LS Saturn and rode to McFarland Park.
My grandson Justin, my two granddaughters, Hannah and Madison, and my son Ronald are all important to me.
The kids hadn't planned to get into the water, but it was hot, so they stripped down to their underwear and jumped into the calm Tennessee River, hoping a large bass or catfish wouldn't nibble on their toes.

In water up to their knees. 

Madison wore her hot-pink T-shirt, and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail.
Hannah was wearing a light blue floral top with matching shorts, and Hannah's hair was pulled back into a ponytail.
Ronald was wearing blue jeans, shorts, and a black T-shirt with the sleeves cut out.

Ronalis is in his cool shades. 

They stayed near the edge, not getting in over their heads. They walked along the edge of the lapping Tennessee River, bending over to pick up unusual rocks.

Picking up shells 

Jumping on a boulder

The kids played on the giant Riverers that were dotted along the River. They would jump from one to the other.

Playing in the park 

The kids played on the playground equipment, and we watched several barges float down the River.

Barges on the Tennessee River 

We also saw the Miss Nari, a New Orleans, LA, cruise boat that was docked along the Tennessee River.

Towboat 
Miss Nari New Orleans, La
The historic towboat M/V Miss Nari is named for Mrs. Narcissa "Nari" Conrad, the late wife of Eddy Conrad, the CEO of RiverBarge Excursions Lines. Miss Nari is the only river towboat in America with a twin propulsion 3,000-horsepower Z Peller 360-degree unit, which can completely turn the entire tow in place. The Miss Nari was built in 1951 and started her career in the Delta Cities. If you check your history, on September 13, 1970, the tow of gasoline-filled barges from the Delta Cities broke loose and crashed into the Port Arthur Bridge. The barges, the bridge, and the Delta Cities were engulfed in flames. The Delta Cities suffered severe fire damage and remained out of service for years. She became known as "the Hulk" for some time as she lay dormant. Today, the newly equipped and refurbished Miss Nari still bears the scars of this tragedy, as evidenced by the heat-warped decks. Miss Nari pushes the barges along at speeds of 9 to 10 miles per hou,r although faster speeds can be achieved depending on river currents and conditions.

We could also hear the sounds of the traffic as it crossed the Tennessee River on the O'Neal Bridge.

Busting traffic on O'Neal Bridge