#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!