September 27, 2009

The Recreational Area Sign
Breakfast Aboard Jejuda (David You are a Great Chef
Pisgah Bay Mileage 30 to Sugar Bay Mileage 35.5 - A beautiful day temperature got to be around 77 F with little humidity. We had breakfast aboard the Jejuda, they are on their way to Chattanooga, Tennessee as they have insurance restrictions as do we but we are heading home for a month. We will probably not see them until we get to Florida. We are in a park they call the Land Between the Lakes. They are two man made lakes one called Barkley Lake and it is where the Cumberland River widens and Kentucky Lake is where the Tennessee River widens and they keep the water controlled with damns. We did go for a walk with the dogs but I do not like to go off trail as I am afraid of snakes. Everyone assures me that I might see only a King snake and that they will not hurt you. The water is on the murky side because of all the rain so we have not been swimming.

September 25 -26, 2009

One of the Many Bass Boats
Native Pictographs in Kentucky
Green Turtle Bay to Pisgah Bay (anchorage) Very relaxing few days. Never did to much. Danny updated the Raymarine plotters with the new version and I sat around and knit. We did go in the dingy to the next bay to see the native pictographs. There are many fishermen out in bass boats and the park is full of trailers. According to the fishermen they have the best bass fishing in the U.S. Jejuda met with us on Saturday afternoon with their friends Frank and Bridget. We had cocktail hour with them on Saturday.

September 23 - 24, 2009

Lake Barkley State Park to Green Turtle Bay Marina - We have been here before as Nashville is a side trip. Still overcast with light rain. Used the marina loaner car to go to Paducah to get supplies. On Thursday Danny changed the oil in the boat and cleaned all the strainers. It is still raining and we now have lost our satellite dish, I guess we are too far south for the Canadian dish. We met more loopers at the gazebo for cocktail hour.

September 22, 2009

Clarksville to Lake Barkley State Park Marina Mileage 59.5 - It was overcast, hot and humid with heavy rains at time. We pulled into a covered slip at the marina our first time undercover, we decided we didn't like this as our satalite television did not work and with the rain we had to have an extra long cocktail hour with the crew from Sterling Lady, Sterling and Judi. Danny made sure he impressed them by wearing the touque they gave him while sitting by the fireplace.

September 19 - 21, 2009

Catch of the Day Catfish
It Does Not Rain Cats and Dogs It Rains Frogs
Nashville to Clarksville, Kentucky - We had to leave the downtown marina as it was pre-booked as there is a football game in town. We left Dave and Judi as they are moving to another marina and staying in Nashville for a few days to visit her family. The river has dropped 2 1/2 feet and has a 3 knot current today so it shouldn't take long to get to our destination today. Our destination is Clarksville where we stayed for a few days. Sea Sea was there from Athens, Georgia and Barefoot Shoes. Our friends in Barefoot Shoes left to head to Nashville but missed us so turned around and stayed another night, actually there was a log jam in the river and they couldn't get thru. The rains are heavy and the weather is hot and muggy. The water levels are wild up 3 feet and then down 3 feet a 6 foot difference and believe me everything is floating down the river.

September 17 - 18,2009

Nashville Skyline
Winding River No Wonder It Takes So Long to Get to Nashville
More Debris
Look at What We Have To Dodge
Downtown Nashville
Danny and I With Elvis
Danny's New Friend
Danny, Judi and I at The Grand Ole Opry House
Our Tickets for the Grand Ole Opry House
Riverview Marina Mileage 158 to Nashville Tennessee, Mileage 190.5 - Warm and overcast and rained all day heavy at times. It was quite an ordeal to go upstream, dodging debris including the kitchen sink, but mostly trees. We tied to the city dock right downtown Nashville. The rain slowed down so we walked downtown Nashville and listened to the various performers performing in the bars. They work for tips hoping some one will hear them and they will make it big. Some great entertainment. The next morning we moved Jejuda and our boat to the other end of the dock to get away from some of the floating debris. The river rose 4' overnight with a 4 knot current. We went to the Country Music Hall of Fame and in the evening we went to the Grand Ole Opry. It was a good stop.

September 16, 2009

Dover Island Mileage 90.5 to Riverview Marina Ashland Tennessee Mileage 158 - Warm and overcast with rain showers all day. We only had one lock and it was an easy one. Believe it or not the only time it quit raining was when we were in the lock. Great timing. We had dinner with Dave and Judi at the Riverview Restaurant. They are know for their catfish and hushpuppy dinners.

September 15, 2009

The Castle, Kentucky State Prison
Pisgah Bay to Dover Island Anchorage on the Cumberland River Mileage 90.5 - Rained during the night and rained most of the day, but was very hot and humid. We passed what they call the Castle which is the Kentucky State Prison, it is on the river on prime real estate. This anchorage was not good for taking the dogs to shore. Danny was in mud up to his knees.

September 14,2009

What was Left of the Boat US Tow Boat. Danny Took this Picture Before We Left
One of the Many Houseboats That Roam the River
Green Turtle Bay Marina - Pisgah Bay Mileage 30.1 On Tennessee River - Beautiful day, slightly overcast but 85 F. As we left the marina the divers were still looking for remains. They had not found anything as yet. We did see many houseboats. I did have the opportunity to go on one. It was 75'long x 18' wide, three bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen with dishwasher, full stove, refrigerator and garbage compactor and all granite counter tops. They sure are spacious and great for the river system. No need for a cottage. We anchored with Jejuda and Barefoot shoes.

September 11 - 13, 2009

32' Welcraft with Boat US Tow Boat and Roger and Danny in Foreground
Devastation on the Water
Roger and Danny Helping
Look How Close
Judi from Jejuda Do You Think Anyone Knows!!
Mileage 26 to Green Turtle Bay - Beautiful day, got up to 95 F in the afternoon. The name suits the place as there are a lots of turtles which keep swimming up to your boat. Spent the afternoons at the pool cooling off. Danny bought a second anchor for the boat which he could fit on the pulpit with the other one. There was a horrible accident here today, a 32' Wellcraft exploded after leaving the fuel dock. The women had burns to 40% of her body and the man did not make it out. After coaxing the women to jump into the water, Steve from Barefoot Shoes jumped in and pulled her out. Danny and Roger helped the tow boats with lines and picked up debris. The Boat US tow boat when towing got ropes caught in its propellers the tow boat caught on fire and they both floated into a pier full of boats, a house boat, 2 seadoos and a Boston Whaler were destroyed. In the afternoon we went back to Paducah as I wanted to go to the National Quilters Museum. Danny and guys went to the Maritime Museum and the girls checked out the stores. We went to Patti's for dinner, believe it or not this is a dry county and you can not buy liquor or drink where anyone can see you. Thus a brown paper bag.

September 10, 2009

New Hood Ornament
Karen Anne Tying up to Kentucky Lock
The Bakery Barefoot Shoes Delivering Fresh Bread
Paducha Kentucky, Start of the Tennessee River to Mileage 26 Anchorage - Beautiful day weather is getting considerably warmer, 95 F. We had a wild ride up the Kentucky Lock and Dam 57 foot rise. It was very turbulent and hard to keep the boat off the wall. The bakery opened up after we went thru the lock and we had to pick up our fresh bread. Rae from Barefoot Shoes is a wonderful baker. We anchored at a great anchorage and even went swimming. The water was 81 F so it did not take long to get in. We even had to start the generator to run the air conditioning to cool down later in the day.

September 9, 2009

Floating in the Lock - Only a 10' Rise
Lots of History in this City
Muriels on the Flood Gates
High Water Mark - This is About 1/4 Mile From the River
Woke Up to Shad Flies Again - Karen Anne's Dinghy
Cairo Illinois Mileage 1.5 to Paducha Kentucky Mileage 935 - Early start in the morning, got really hot during the day 89 F. We started up the Ohio River, 2 locks, cleaner water and prettier scenery. Tied to the day dock in Paducha, for the evening no one asked us to move so we didn't. The town is like a castle with high flood barriers around it, they did paint murals on the city side. A real nice city with lots of history.

September 8, 2009

Lewis and Clark Expedition
Kaskaskia Lock Mileage 117.5 to Cairo Illinois Mileage 1.5 - Beautiful day reached
88 F hot all this water and no place to swim. The water is very dirty, the colour of coffee with dead Asian carp and garbage floating by and even some logs. Lots of barge traffic on the river. Large units. We passed an authentic raft that is replicating the Lewis and Clark Expedition. A lot of history this section. We are getting a 4 knot current, we are motoring. We anchored along side of the Mississippi as there are few anchorages and even fewer marinas. Not pleasure boater friendly.

September 7, 2009

Tow or Barges
Tug that Pushes the Tow or Barge
Nina and Pinta Replicas of Christoper Columbus' Ship
Hoppies Marina to Kaskaskia Lock Mileage 117.5 - It was very foggy in the morning so we did not start until 9.30 a.m. A short day. The barges on the Mississippi are getting bigger, average barge 4 wide and 5 deep, 35 feet wide x 200 feet long tug pushing has 6000 hp complete with 2 steering rudders. The lock was a good place to stay and we had a boat launch that we could go to shore on, so hardly any mud. Later on in the evening the Nina and Pinta docked behind us. These are replicas of Christoper Columbus's ships, only they have all the modern day conveniences. (generators, bathrooms, dinghy etc.)

September 6, 2009

St. Louis, Missouri Peace Arch
Modern Day Huckleberry Finn
Getting Our Local Knowledge
Grafton, Illinois to Hoppies Marina - It was slightly hazy when we left but warmed up to 75 F. It was a fast cruise down the Mississippi River as we gained speed with the 4 knot current. We passed St. Louis, Missouri can you believe that there is no marinas in the city so we could stop, what a shame. As we passed under the Peace Arch in St. Louis all our electronics went out, we had to revert to paper charts and our lap top computer. Danny trouble shot while I drove and dodged all the floating debris in the river. All the guys came on our boat to do some more trouble shooting, after hours they found a loose negative cable on entire sub panel a easy fix and a big relief. Fern from the marina gave us loopers some local knowledge of the river system down bound.

September 4 - 5, 2009

Houses on Stilts
Mileage 88.5 to Grafton Illinois, Mileage 0 - Beautiful day, high around 70 F. The scenery is getting better. We did see homes built on the river flood plain on stilts. Definitely no basements. Strange to see. We were docking at the marina and got stuck in the mud at our slip, apparently the river went down but in 30 minutes we were floating again. On Saturday it rained off and on and we did our chores, laundry and shopping. We are now finished the Illinois River and with be starting on the Mississippi River.

September 3, 2009

Asian Carp Jumping As We Go By (Click on Picture to Enlarge)
Danny Playing with the Carp

Hamm's Holiday Marina Mileage 179 to Anchorage at 88.5 - Beautiful sunny day around 70 F. We are still travelling with Barefoot Shoes and Karen Anne. We did stop at Beardstown but the tie up was to a barge and you had to walk over two more and climb a ships ladder to get to shore. We had a good anchorage out of the channel but it was real muddy when Danny had to go to shore with the dogs. Lots of jumping carp along the way. A great experience to watch hundreds of fish jump at one time. When travelling along you can hear lots of hits against the hull.

September 2, 2009

Flock of Swans
Dead Asian Carp See the Size
Riverboat Graveyard
Hamm's Holdiay Harbour Marina "Marina from Hell"
Ottawa Illinois to Hamm's Holiday Harbour Marina Mileage 239.6 - Beautiful day 75 F. Lost 2 hours at the lock but all else went well. Now in the area of the Asian Carp We do see a lot jumping but can't seem to get any action shots. If you want to see them in action go to www.youtube.com. The scenery is getting better as we are now out of the Chicago area. This is definitely a working river system as there is a lot of barge traffic. Pulled into Hamm's Holiday Harbour Marina, complete with major spiders on the docks, swirling waters of Asian Carp and we are surrounded by a riverboat graveyard. Danny's words not mine.

September 1, 2009

Sterling and Judy with a Touque and Ear Muffs On. I Have Invited Them to Thunder Bay in January to Experience Cold
Our Stowaway Wes Helping at the Lock
Barges Working on the River
Ottawa Illinois, not our Capital
Joliet Illinois to Ottawa Illinois Mileage 239.9 - It was cold in the morning but when the sun came out it was a beautiful day. Left the town dock early only to wait 2 hours at the lock. We had a stowaway on our boat Wes off of the Tommy B, when the bridge opened his father left him because he was meeting his marine buddy. He rode with us to Seneca where we dropped him off at the dock. We stayed at the town dock in Ottawa with Jejuda and Tommy B.