She Just Keeps Rolling Along...

September 19, 2010

We left Kaskaskia Lock at 8 AM with a goal of Little Diversion River Channel in mind as our next night's safe haven on the Mississippi River.  After six and a half hours of motoring we found the little channel tucked into a small opening, cluttered with lots of flotsam and a fisherman's floating catfish lines We carefully picked our way through it, lowered the anchor and we five boats settled in for the night.It was hot and buggy but we still managed to sleep well.   Buddy enjoyed his dinghy ride to the only place right by the railroad bridge that wasn't muddy along the banks of this channel.

Little River Diversion Channel

We were surprised at the large amount of commercial traffic with no recreation boating to be had.  Consequently, that's why there are no marinas. 

The only recreational boat we saw!

Four by Five barges with tow

 We left Little Diversion River Channel and pushed eighty miles, leaving the Mississippi River and making a left turn onto the Ohio River. As soon as we entered the Ohio, we noticed how much clearer the water became-not that anyone wanted to dive in and go for a swim but the muddiness lessened considerably and the shore changed from mud to sandy beaches.  Industry was still heavy and tows and barges were our river companions. We spent the night anchored in front of Lock 52 on the Ohio where Buddy thoroughly enjoyed the sandy beach and the swim he could finally take.  We were lucky to get locked through at 8 AM as there was an eleven hour wait (12 tows and barges lined up the Ohio and Cumberland River) for the southbound barges and I'm sure they wouldn't have let five pleasure boats sneak through.

cells for barges to tie up to

shore with sand-not mud

We entered the Cumberland River which is narrow -about 120 yards wide- with cleaner water, more sandy shores and even a few houses. This was the river that flooded last Spring and caused much destruction in Nashville and vicinity.   We joyfully arrived at Green Turtle Bay (yes, the bay here is loaded with turtles), ending our 600 + miles journey from Chicago to here.  A sense of accomplishment and relief was felt by all as we relaxed and enjoyed each others company.

This marina has courtesy vehicles so two other women  and I had a field trip to Paducah, famous for the National Quilt Museum and Hancock of Paducah Fabric Store.  The museum was excellent and contributions were made to the fabric store-just so they wouldn't go out of business.  Paducah is another town trying to restore their waterfront with interesting shops and restaurants, making it a worthwhile tourist stop.

National Quilt Museum

One of many

Paducah

Eat your hearts out Marian & Linda!

Stilts for restaurant to deal with floods

After staying in Green Turtle Bay for five days, we have caught our breath and are ready to continue on the Tennessee River tomorrow. The area around the Tennessee River having some beautiful cruising grounds-we're ready for that!

Enjoy your fall weather -we have experienced five 93 degree days with the same for the rest of the week-what's today's date?

By the way, Happy Birthday, John!