Clayton's River Adventure: The Cumberland

By Linda M. Penn, Frank J. Feger and Melissa Quinio

Clayton's on another adventure!

You're Invited!

 

"Grampy's coming home!" Clayton shouted to his mom. "Can't wait to tell Austin!"

This can only mean one thing - Clayton, Mom, Austin, and Grampy are on another adventure. These lovable, comical character

• Language: English
• Publisher: Racing to Joy Press
• Release date: Jun 28, 2021
• ISBN: 9780990880783

Linda M. Penn

Linda obtained her Bachelor, Masters, and Rank I degrees from the University of Louisville. She is a retired elementary public school teacher. She uses her personal life experiences and faith in God to write encouraging literature for youngsters. She lives in Lagrange, KY with her husband, Gilbert. They have two adult daughters and three grandchildren.

Book preview

Chapter 1

Grampy's Coming Home!

Mom, Grampy’s coming home! I just got a text from him! Clayton shouted as he bounded into the kitchen. Daisy promptly wagged her tail and ran around Clayton’s feet in circles. Wait until I tell Austin.

Yes! replied Mom as her phone made the ‘you have a text’ alert. "He says he is having Mr. Jim and Mrs. Samantha navigate the Granny Rose from Destin to the Green Turtle Bay Marina at Grand Rivers, Kentucky. He is planning to fly from Destin to Louisville on Saturday."

Wow! That is just two days from now, Clayton said, doing his happy dance. Do you know why he is headed back home to Louisville? And where is Grand Rivers, Kentucky?

I am just as surprised as you! Mom answered. Grand Rivers is in Western Kentucky in the Land Between the Lakes area.

Now, Mom, you know how Grampy loves to surprise people. Are you sure you and Grampy aren’t just trying to play a joke on me?

Grampy? Jokes? What is going on? Austin called out as he walked in the back door of Clayton’s house.

Hey there, good buddy and fellow adventurer, Clayton said as he gave Austin an elbow bump. "Grampy just texted Mom and me, and he said he is coming home to Louisville on Saturday! Mr. Jim and Mrs. Samantha will be piloting the Granny Rose to a marina in Western Kentucky."

Okay! Boy, have I missed him! Austin exclaimed. Even his jokes!

Clayton’s phone received another text. Grampy says for me to start doing research about the history of Eddyville and Kuttawa, Kentucky and Lake Barkley. Wait, there’s more! He said to pay special attention to researching the Cumberland River and Nashville. Oh, he isn’t finished yet – there is another sentence…he says he is contacting Austin’s dad to get permission for Austin to travel with us again!

What is he up to? Austin said with a quizzical look on his face. Nashville?

Mom, Grampy must be planning another houseboat trip, Clayton surmised. Why else would he be telling us to do research?

If he is planning another adventurous houseboat trip, I hope it involves me too. Mom grinned.

Mom’s phone sounded with another text notice. Now he’s telling me to investigate getting scuba diving lessons!

SCUBA DIVING? bellowed Clayton.

Chapter 2

Underwater

Grampy, we missed you! Clayton said. He ran over to the back door as Grampy, Mom, and Dad entered the kitchen, and Daisy bounded into Grampy’s arms.

Let me get your bags for you, Austin offered.

Thank you, Austin. Yes, it is good to be home! Grampy laughed. I loved Destin, but I needed some of that fresh Kentucky air again. And besides that, I’m tired of doing my own cooking and could use some of that wholesome food from your mother. Grampy had a twinkle in his eye as he looked at Clayton and his mom.

Grampy, I just have to ask…what is up about the scuba diving lessons? Clayton inquired. What kind of adventure do you have up your sleeve this time?

Well…? Grampy grinned suspiciously.

I did inquire about scuba lessons, said Mom. Found some good information. You need basic skills of floating, kicking, and breathing. You have to be able to swim 200 meters without swim aids, 300 meters with fins, mask, and snorkel, and be able to float without assistance for 10 minutes. You have to be aware of your limits with the gear and stay calm under pressure.

Grampy, I know Clayton and I are in good shape, and Clayton’s mom too, but we are concerned about you. Austin looked at Grampy with a concerned frown. Do you think you’re ready for this?

Oh, man, I just got home, and now you think maybe I can’t do this scuba thing. Grampy grimaced.

Well, we know one thing for sure, answered Clayton. We know you can stay calm under pressure.

Amen to that! echoed Austin. But seriously…this is no joking matter. And by the way, thanks for getting the okay from my parents to go on another adventure with you guys!

Oh, you’re welcome. Grampy smiled. And yes, thanks for you all being concerned about me, he added. I promise I will follow the advice of the instructors and complete any lessons they think I need. Is that good enough for you, my wonderful co-adventurers?

Great, they do have a Discover Scuba Class, Mom advised. We can do a free class before we make a commitment to lessons, and since Austin’s parents are okay with another Grampy adventure, I took the liberty of signing all of us up for that class. It begins Monday at 9:00 a.m.

And Grampy, guess what? Austin said with that wide-eyed, teasing look. My parents signed up for the class too. They said it sounded like too much fun for them to miss out.

I thought about signing up also, Dad said, but I will watch from the sidelines and pray a lot!

Now that sounds like a winner, Grampy commented, nodding his head in the affirmative.

To earn the Open Water certification, we will have 4 or 5 open dives, 10 to 15 hours of self-study, and 8 to 10 hours of confined water training. You can gain further certifications, but this minimum certification will allow us to access most diving sites in Kentucky, Mom advised. "Of course, if we find we