Clark Center Park

I have to say, right off the bat, I want a boat someday. (I don't want many things, but I want a boat) We have some family that is relation to the Jackson side and have been able to get to know them a little in our short time here. Kendal, Great Aunt Loraine's son (Grandpa Alfred Jackson's older sister), has been so sweet and nice to us. He invited us to go with him, his wife Barbra, daughter Pam and son-in-law Steve to Clark Center Park for some fun times out on his pontoon boat. We were thrilled to get to see some more of this beautiful place and to hang out on a boat.Wouldn't you know, it was about 90 degrees and about 75 % humidity today, luckily we were able to get into the water. They had a tube on the back of the boat and the kids were excited to try it out. Taryn actually had a pretty good time, until the water splashed her in the face, then she was done! Tyson decided he could ride it by himself, and he did pretty well, but the kid weights as much as a bird and wasn't heavy enough to hold down the tube. Vaughn got on with him and cousin Pam did as well. I think he rode it about 3 times for about 5+ minutes.The water was warm. It felt like you had turned on the warm water in the bathtub. You really couldn't cool down, even if you were completely wet. Well.....the water GODS smiled down upon us, because they could see how freaking hot is was, and turned on the water works in the sky. Out of nowhere came this crazy thunder storm. Kendal tried to out run it and get up back into the boat dock, but we were quite a ways a way, and didn't make it. I was ok with that. The cold rain was refreshing. It down poured for about 15 minutes and then the HOT SUN came back out and the steam started to rise off of everything and we were all sticking again.
Look at the trees in this picture. They are covered in this vine stuff called Kudzu. I think it is beautiful, but the Knoxville residences say it is a nuisance. It just grows, quickly, everywhere and is very hard to get rid of. I think it is awesome. We spent a total of 4 hours out on the river/lake. Loved it. And we found out that there is a little beach not too far from the boat docks that is free to swim at. I will be checking out that spot next week. Look for the post!