Dunbar Cave State Park & McGregor Park at Cumberland Riverwalk - Clarksville, TN

June 17 

we passed mustard fields on the way

Dunbar Cave was purchased by Roy Acuff on April 26, 1948 for $150,000.  The cave was the site of musical festivities and entertainment shows, which would host big bands like Benny Goodman's and Tommy Dorsey's. Acuff also added a golf course adjacent to the lake. Over time the popularity of the cave and surrounding area declined, and the hotel burned in 1950 and was not rebuilt.

 House Sparrow - male

House Sparrow - female

We didn’t tour the 8 mile long cave as it does require a tour to get in, but we hiked a couple of trails around Swan Lake and beyond. Despite leaving early in the morning, it was HOT & STEAMY! We heard tons of birds, but only saw some Chipping sparrows, Cardinals and Titmice. Swan lake did have Mallard Ducks, Canada Geese & some female Wood Ducks. Oh, and an adorable Otter playing & searching for food. 

 Swan Lake (man made)

 Purple Martin

 Wood Duck - female

 Wood Duck Female

 Canada Geese

 Cave area

 Barn Swallows & nests

 used to be the concession stands

 dance floor and amphitheater - naturally cooled by the cave 

 Cave Entrance

 Otter

otter

 

Snapping Turtle on a log

 the easy part of the trail

 Cardinal

 tiny frog or toad

 Chipping Sparrow

Sweet Peas

We also stopped at McGregor Park at Cumberland Riverwalk. It wasn’t shaded and a bit too hot to walk far. We did see a few Prothonotary warblers. There also was a small museum of the history of Clarksville. 

 Prothonotary Warbler

 small museum

Great Blue Heron

Since we have had some heavy meals, we passed a Panera and decided to go have salads for lunch before grocery shopping and heading home to get ready to travel tomorrow to Lynnville, Indiana.

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