#8 Nashville

August 30th We started the day with a taxi to the Visitors center then did the "Hop on/off Trolley" tour. Well worth the price of admission to see the whole city and get more history than we could on our own.

Nope you are not in Greece! This replica of the Parthenon was built for the 100th anniversary of Statehood of Tennessee.  I missed the reason "why" it was built!

Architecturally unique train station built in the early 1900's

This is the 'marina' downtown Nashville. Glad we opted for the Rock Harbor Marina outside town.  Not secure and wakes of passing tows and boats cause excessive movement.

Never saw anything like this!  Here is a Bachelorette party having a ball! Oh yes, they are drinking! I don't think they are really pedalling to move the thing.  There were several of these running around the town. Also, many other Bachlorette parties strolling around town. Each group had some identity. Hats, shirts, scarves, or T-shirts.

of the three Honky Tonks we visited, this fellow was the best. We were there in afternoon, and chose this place since it was less crowded.  Really, most of the places are kind of dumpy!  That's what Bill thought, I suggested that at night when there is standing room only in these establishments -- nobody notices!

Corner of Broadway and 5th. A vision of contrast. Broadway is preserved as the Honky Tonk Avenue. All around there are sleek modern buildings 

ALL my heros!

The Grand Ole Opry! What a great show! This is just before the doors opened to let the throngs in front of us get in to their seats.  In fact, it was a sell-out and Bill and I had to buy single seats  apart.  In the same section anyway. It was a great day!

Torrential rains hit Nashville area while we were in the show. So much so that flash flood warnings were issued before the show was over! Fortunately, it subsided to sprinkles while we traveled back to the boat. During the night it rained heavily again.  This means the River will be running strong and that in itself is not so bad, but the inlets that we may want to anchor in will be much worse and possibly lots of flotsam. So we are hanging out here today and spend a little time with some other Loopers here at the Marina.We will get a lot of information from them also.
Our plan is to head back down the Cumberland to the Barkley Cut that connects the Cumberland River to the Tennessee River. And then -- explore some more!

#7 August 27th - 30th

August 27th after topping off our fuel and saying Goodbye to our friends we headed out to explore the Cumberland River on our way to Nashville. The first night we traveled up the Little River to an anchorage off the Lake Barkley State Park. It was 2 and a half miles off the Main river. Very quiet and secluded behind an Island. We swam to get cool but found the water to be extremely warm.  Hardly worth the effort!  No pictures.
August 29th we traveled up the river to Clarksville TN's new marina pictured above.  An amazing fact about all these marinas we have visited.  Virtually ALL of the structures and docks are built to float. As much as 30 feet when the river decides to rise to such levels.  Yes, even the Marina office at the extreme left of the picture floats.

Exceptional campground maintained by the Corps of Engineers along this portion of river. 

Extends about a mile.  Playgrounds, picnic areas, spacious campsites. They are filling up for the Labor Day Weekend.

Notice the tree caught by the bouy?  We see a lot of this on these rivers. Must keep a vigilant eye.

Most of the time this is what we see. Yes, sometimes it gets little boring but not for long. There are many water birds, a few wrecked boats along the shore, fishermen, and twists and turns. Speaking of twists and turns, it is amazing how the river turns, then switches back practically the way it came.  For example, although Rock Harbor Marina is only 8 miles from Nashville by car -- it is 16 miles  by River. 

This is the only ferry still working on the . Cumberland.

At the moment we are docked at Rock Harbor Marina about 8 miles from Nashville. This marina is built in an old stone quarry and like all the others, it floats.  Even the Blue Moon Restaurant where we made it just in time for Happy Hour.
The buildings are built on  barges. It is quite a fete!

Aug. 30th    This particular blog, I''m afraid is a little boring since I was very lax in taking pictures.  But we are all cleaned up and ready to DO Nashville.  We are going to take a taxi into town around 11 for some sightseeing and then we have tickets for the Grand Ole Opry this evening.  Of course, we hope to get a little "honkey tonkin" in as well. Maybe we will see the next big group that will make it big in the Country Music world.

#6 8/22 - 8/23, 24, 25th

Finally the Ohio River.  Actually wider than the Mississippi, Much cleaner, not a lot of debris floating at us. And the banks are green with little dead and driftwood on her banks.  The current is now against us but we are cruising at a comfortable 7 miles an hour without a tremendous increase in fuel consumption. Actually, we are enjoying the Ohio much more than the Mississippi or the Illinois.  It is much more serene and I did mention she is MUCH cleaner.  There are no less tows to contend with though.  There are many; and hundreds of barges parked along the banks waiting to be hooked up and head down the River.

This is the infamous Lock 53 where there is sometimes 3 1/2 days wait for the tows to be locked through.  They have two chambers but one is down and being repaired.  We anchored just 3 miles south of the lock last night in Metropolis, Illinois. (the home of Superman)  We called the lock and much to our surprise the Lockmaster told us to be at the lock at 8 am and he would see that we were locked up by 10.  

As we rose in the lock we could see over the wall at the dam. This particular dam is called a 'wicket dam'. panels made of wood that are raised and lowered as needed to control the water flow.  When the river is high (which would be almost over the wall that you see) they lower those wickets and tows and boats just cruise right over them.The depths when these wickets are down are probably never more than 18 ft.

We only cruised on the Ohio about 50 miles to the Cumberland River. The Cumberland was almost as serene as the Ohio but much smaller and we only met one tow.  It was the most boring 33 miles of the entire trip so far. Bill says it was like watching paint dry.  Well, when we approached this dam we woke up.  It was HUGE! The boat entering the lock on the right side of the picture is our friends in their 45 ft Cruiser.  This lock raises us 57 ft to the level of Lake Barkley. Lake Barkley was formed by the Tennessee Valley Authority many years ago when they built this dam and the Kentucky Lake Dam and flooded two valleys in Kentucky and Tennessee. It created the "Land Between the Lakes" which has become a recreational mecca for folks many miles around.   At the time of its inception there was a lot of controversy because it misplaced, towns, communities, farms and people. 

One mile after the lock we turned into Green Turtle Marina.  It is the largest marina I have ever seen. 500 slips, some covered. There are Condos, 2 swimming pools, a full service spa and fitness center. Playgrounds, Recreation areas, golf cart rentals, restroom suites, Laundry, Fax & copying services, Courtesy Van and very helpful and pleasant staff.

We could not believe how many sailboats were here. And big ones too.  Found out that since Lake Barkley, although big in area is rather shallow out of the channel of the Cumberland River. So, they go a few miles south to the Barkley Cut, 2 1/2 miles long, into the Tennessee River and Kentucky Lake which is evidently deeper.

I am standing up by one of the pools overlooking the Yacht Club. We three couples ate her the night we arrived. Took our own drinks as this county is DRY!!! and they sold us the set-ups and Dinner was great.

Here we are, Darrf V, Time-Out and Simpatico

Rolfe and Harriet Wall, Connie, Arline, Bill and Ray Cutro
We were all a little weary from our journey and the previous days of negotiating tows and locks. We won't be encountering those obstacles for another 100 miles or so. So we just relaxed, enjoyed a good meal and the comaraderie. Really nice folks, and its fun to travel together.


Aug 24th Bill and I Gave Simpatico a good bath. Scrubbed from top to bottom. The water line was black and greasy and brown stained from the muddy Mississippi. The boat actually had a "mustache" on  her bow.  Were worried it would notcome off easily.  But I used this great product "Awesome" from the Dollar Store.  Yep, the Dollar Store!  I have not found it anywhere else.  Its an all natural product and is gentle on paint, wood etc. And it is CHEAP!
Next  on the agenda was to change the Engine oil and filter. We have traveled more than 237 hours and want to make sure all is healthy in the Power department.

I guess I haven't really addressed how we like our new boat!  It is perfect! I am used to the alcohol/electric stove and Bill has not one thing that he finds wrong with this little vessel. She continues to amaze us; how efficient in fuel consumption (always a power boaters worry),  ease of handling, comfortable sleeping, air conditioning. Speaking of air conditioning --- the last week has been in the 90's!! Wow, I guess we ARE heading South!

25th of August - -  Today, we met our friends at 9 am at the Gazebo. Rolfe got the keys to the Courtesy Van and Off to Metropolis we went. And here is what we saw!

the "Museum"

Oops! Gotta sell some more stuff so I can fix the truck!

Wow! do we look good???

After Metropolis we headed back to Paducah to stroll downtown, peruse many antique shops and had lunch at Barbeque on the River. Then off to do some much needed Grocery shopping. We hit Sam's club first, then Walmart, then the Liquor Store. I know, a dry County, right?  Well, this particular one is 'right on the edge'.  :) Don't dare run out of rum!

#5 8/19 thru 8/21

8/19 Just a few miles from our last stop at Grafton is the lock we were able to tour a couple days ago. As you can see the day is mild and we are all anxious to be on our way. 

Passing the great Arch in St Louis, MO. - Gateway to the West

We arrived at Hoppie's Marina. Yep, we were surprised also.  But it held all the amenities we needed; fuel, secure tie-up, bath house, bar-b-que and hospitality. Fern and Hoppie run this place; has been in existence for 80 years.  To hear Fern tell it, there has been an ongoing discussion with the Army Corp of Engineers on a number of topics.  The corps would really like to see Hoppies gone but they are "grandfathered". Besides it is the only place for pleasure boats to stop and fuel for 288 miles. ALL Loopers stop here.

Here we are tucked between Time Out, Rolfe and Harriet Wall and Darrf V, Ray and Arline Cutro

This is a covered patio of sorts where Fern gives her seminars on the Mississippi River we will encounter and where to anchor and where strong currents are and general precautions to watch out for.
Left to right - Bill, Rolfe, Fern, Arline, Harriet

And here is Fern.


8/20 We are off to Fern's first suggested spot for the night. The Kaskaskia lock and dam just off the big River on the Kaskaskia River. It seemed daunting at first but we all three spent a quiet peaceful night tied to this "floating wall"!

As I said it was a bit daunting at first.

Notice those tall towers - - that's what the dock or wall slides up and down on, depending on the level of the river.

8/21 we headed out to our last anchorage on the Mississippi. This is a sampling of the types of tows we have been encountering.  It leaves us wondering how they turn these behemoths on tight turns of the river.

This Diversion Cut, just off the Mississippi at mile marker 49.  Quiet and out of the current. Picture looks funny because it was taken through my mosquito net. :)

Pretty soon, here come the fishermen.  Look closely.  they are  fishing with bows and arrows and spearing the carp. They must have gotten a dozen while we watched.  A fellow came by on a sea-do and told us that this method has been used for years and they even have tournaments. The fish come to the surface and POW - - its all over!


8/22 49 miles to the Ohio River.

This is the last bridge before leaving the Mississippi. It has been a grand voyage so far.  The current is about 4 to 4.5 mph which has enabled us to travel around 11 to 12 miles and hour without using much fuel.

There's our friends having just made the turn onto the Ohio, we are still on the Mississippi.  We will be leaving a 4-4.5 mph current going with us allowing a speed of 11 - 12 mph.  to a 3 mph current against us for the next 60 miles til we reach the Cumberland River.

It is mind-boggling how many barges are moored here at the confluence of these two rivers.  There are hundreds of them parked both sides and in the middle of the Ohio being hooked together in 5 by 6's. That's 30 barges together for their trip down the Lower Mississippi to New Orleans.

It is not recommended route for pleasure boats as there are few places to fuel and fewer marinas. So we have said Goodbye to the Mississippi today. 

#4 8/10 Sunday a great surprise at the next stop!

Being Sunday we thought we would bike to Church, St. Patrick's

for the 7:00 am Mass.  We waited and waited, nobody showed up! Bummer. Oh well, our intentions were good.  So we headed for Trixies Cafe for breakfast.  Quaint local establishment, couple tables full of farmers and local folks.  Good home cooked food.  Found out this area is farm country growing mostly corn, melons and green beans.
0900 we cast off for the next tie up which is on a working barge along the river.

Along the river you can see what we think are vacation homes.  All are built on stilts because of the rising rivers at certain times of the year and after torrential rains.  They look to be at least 20 ft.



Looky there!  Logsdon Tug service! and Logsdon is Connie's maiden name!  This is the location about 49 miles further for us to tie up on their barges.  Come to find out they were in the offices on Sunday 'remodeling'.
It is a true family business. Kim, President, sister Lynn, VP and a brother - probably VP of something else.  We didn't get to meet him.  Everybody in the family is involved with the business in some fashion.  They even own all the water front and each has a very modest home in the "compound". Connie had a great time and we talked family history  and they are convinced we are related.  Could be. I am going to check it out.  Seems their ancestors emigrated from England in the 1700's

 

After we got the boats tied (That's Darrf V behind us, friends Ray and Arline traveling with us for a while) a couple women, Lynn Logsdon and Lynn Walker her friend offering to give us a ride to town. Well, when I introduced myself, Lynn L. immediately took me to the office to meet her brother. Then the fun began.  They would not take any funds for dockage and I got a T-shirt.  We even got a tour of one of their big tugs by the Captain on duty that day.

8/11 we traveled 58 miles to an anchorage  at Hurricane Island at mm26.

We are inside the lock as I look over at what they call a wicket  dam. The water is considered low at this time and the wickets are raised to curb the flow.  When it is High water those wickets are lowered and boats and tows can just cruise right over them.

Just off the channel for a lovely evening, beautiful sunset, grilled dinner and watched the barges go by.

8/12 Tuesday we made it to Grafton Harbor Mile 0 of the Illinois River. Yep! As we look out beyond the harbor there she is, the Great Mississippi River.  And it is instantly huge!  and I guess it gets bigger. Oh my!


Yep it is Monday August 19th. We have been holed up here at Grafton Harbor for a week. It is a very accommodating place and we have just been relaxing, sightseeing, exploring, wine tasting and today bathing the boat, cleaning, doing laundry and getting ready to get underway again tomorrow morning.
While here we have been accompanying Ray and Arline on  Daarf V. We shared a rental car and have seen the sights.

Ray and Arline with us at Aeries Winery high atop the hill overlooking Grafton and the Illinois and Mississippi confluence behind us. Spectacular views.

We took the only ferry in the US that crosses two rivers. On our way to St. Charles MO to their annual Festival of the Hill.   Thank heavens we went on a Friday as it was crowded. The largest craft fair we have ever seen.  A mile both sides of the River walk, and at least a mile and a half of the brick main street.

This is the next lock we will traverse when we leave Grafton.  Mel Price Lock and Dam. It has two chambers, the commercial one pictured here and just to the left you can see the approach wall for the pleasure/small tow boats.We visited the Great rivers Museum and it included a tour of the dam.  

Here I  am looking straight down at the gates that are lowering to let the above pictured tow out of the lock.  This particular tow is 15 barges. There will be one more lock on the Mississippi we will encounter,  After that lock they tell us everything gets bigger, the river and the tows.  Seems the Tow companies gather the barges to make up tows of 50 barges!  Can you imagine?  We will post a picture when we see one.

 After the dam we visited the Lewis and Clark Museum.  You really must look up the accomplishments of these two men and the hardships they endured in the 1800's. They found and explored the route connecting the Alantic to the Pacific.  Below is a replica of the 'camp' they built to prepare for their journey.  It is a fascinating story!  To bad I didn't pay attention in grade school when we studied them.  History is soooo much more fun now!

Off to St. Louis! Had to rent the car since there are no places to dock near St. Louis. First the proverbial Trolley Tour.  90 minutes of more of St. Louis than we could find on our own.   There is the Arch  - Gateway to the West and also depicting the Discoveries of Lewis and Clark finding a route to the Pacific  Ocean connecting from the Atlantic.

We then, on our own, visited the Science Center, History Museum. This Forest Park was the site of the 1904 World's Fair and is some 1300 acres. It now serves St. Luisans with museums, tennis, 2 golf courses,  paddle boat ponds, picnic areas, a world class zoo, a planetarium and Botanical garden.  You can see by the Birthday Cake they are celebrating 250 years

Well that brings us to today, the 18th of August.  It's Monday and Simpatico, Darrf V,  and now Time Out, another Looper who arrived here are all jockeying around the fuel pumps, pumping out heads, and sprucing up our boats for an early start tomorrow morning down the Mississippi River.

As my Brother Mark, left a voice mail  singing - "Down a Lazy River in the noonday sun, Down a lazy River where . . . "
You got it! He forgot the words!