October 10, 2025

Boating Memories: Our Last Cruise on Mai Thai

This five-year-old photo popped up in our Facebook Memories yesterday and brought back such a sweet moment. Our cousin and her family were visiting, so we took them out on Mai Thai for a relaxing boat ride. We tied up at Shellmound Picnic Area, where they took the kayaks out for a paddle while we set up a simple picnic on the boat. A perfect day on the water, with plenty of sunshine, laughter and great company. Just a simple, happy memory we’ll always cherish.
The last time we took Mai Thaiout for a spin was in late September of last year. It was a calm weekday afternoon, and the river was almost entirely ours — hardly another boat in sight.
Leaving the marina
The weather was perfect — warm but not hot, with that hint of early autumn in the air. The hills surrounding the river were just beginning to show a touch of fall color.
A hint of fall colors
Heading up river towards the TN River Gorge
View from inside the boat
Usually, by this time of year, flocks of coots would be arriving from the north, their chattering calls echoing across the water. But we didn’t see any that day. Instead, a few cormorants stood sentinel on the riverside rocks, one with wings outstretched in the sun.
cormorants
It’s moments like these that remind us why we fell in love with boating in the first place. No schedule. Just us, the river, and nature putting on a quiet show. We snapped a few photos to remember the day — not knowing it would be our last ride on Mai Thai

Life gets busy. Boats change hands. Seasons come and go. But the memories stay with us.

Looking back, we’re just grateful for all the good times Mai Thai gave us — the laughter, the sunsets, the solitude at anchor, and the camaraderie at the marinas. The shared moments on the water.

She was more than just a boat. She was part of our story.

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday.

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