The last day of our trip started with our usual early start and a light cleaning of the boat.
We found fair amount of recreational river traffic on the river owing to the holiday weekend. This slowed our progress and delayed us by about two hours when compared to a non-holiday weekday.
All in all, we have traveled around 1700 miles in 15 days, and performed 19 lock throughs.
Members of The Ohio River Launch Club and family were on hand to take a line and greet us as we arrived.
Monday, May 29, 2006
The Launch Club - Island Hopper's New Home
Ohio River Lanch Club, Island Hopper's new home for the next two years, than back to points South.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Day 14 - Owensboro Kentucky to Louisville Kentucky
Another early start, need to cover 150 miles and two lock throughs to get above the dam in Louisville. Day went well, with the exception of sporadic drift, which was dense at times.
River was muddy until shortly before Louisville at which time it cleaned up to a nice blue green.
River was muddy until shortly before Louisville at which time it cleaned up to a nice blue green.
Louisville, KY
Out arrival in Louisville was pleasent in that there were no tows backed up and we were able to get through the lock with no delays.
The area below the lock is commercial, but above the lock is lake-like and had a lot of recreational boating activity.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Day 13 - Green Turtle Bay to Owensboro Kentucky
It has been a long day . . . four lock throughs and around 195 miles. It started on a bad note as the lock from Kentucky Lake was busy with a tow who was breaking his load to lock through . . . over an hour of waiting. If all locks through were to take this amount of time we would not reach our destination before dark and be forced to anchor out somewhere.
Overall we did very well, around thirteen and a half hours on the river (195 miles including 4 lock-throughs) a good dinner at the Executive Inn (docked at the Executive Marina) . . . no foul - no harm!
Overall we did very well, around thirteen and a half hours on the river (195 miles including 4 lock-throughs) a good dinner at the Executive Inn (docked at the Executive Marina) . . . no foul - no harm!
Cave–In-Rock
A place that was variously the home of pirates, counterfeiters, hi-jackers, assorted yeggs, and the haven of brave pioneers. First written about in 1924 by Rothert in “The Outlaws of Cave-In Rock” the Cave was used by Samuel Mason to provide a waylay for New Orleans flatboats to which he lured them and who were expeditiously murdered for their cargo. Now a state park, the mouth of the cave is 55 feet wide and extends back come 60 feet, it was originally partially concealed by vegetation.
Back on the Ohio
Finally, after locking through from Kentucky Lake to the Cumberland and traveling around 19 miles, back on the Ohio!
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Day 12 - Paris Landing State Park to Green Turtle Bay
Although at our our inteneded destination we have done somewhat better in terms of distance traveled per day than originally thought. In round numbers, we have traveled 1,200 statute miles with an estimated 485 statute miles to go, for a total trip of 1685 miles.
Today was a short 40 mile to get ready for a big push to Cincinnati. Laundry, groceries, a few maintenance items are all part of the preparations. Harry is calculating various options of food, moorage and dinners available on the Ohio as well as how they conicide with locks and miles to be made. Best option for tomorrow is 192 miles and three locks. We will see!
We anticipate arriving to ORLC Later on Sunday or Monday AM. This assumes the river behaves. Excessive drift (debris floating as a result of the river flooding) and or current will affect our timetable.
Tonight's dinner will be at Patti's, featuring 2" thick boneless pork chops and clay flour pot baked bread. Since this is a "dry" county, we will take our own wine (yes, it is allowed).
Today was a short 40 mile to get ready for a big push to Cincinnati. Laundry, groceries, a few maintenance items are all part of the preparations. Harry is calculating various options of food, moorage and dinners available on the Ohio as well as how they conicide with locks and miles to be made. Best option for tomorrow is 192 miles and three locks. We will see!
We anticipate arriving to ORLC Later on Sunday or Monday AM. This assumes the river behaves. Excessive drift (debris floating as a result of the river flooding) and or current will affect our timetable.
Tonight's dinner will be at Patti's, featuring 2" thick boneless pork chops and clay flour pot baked bread. Since this is a "dry" county, we will take our own wine (yes, it is allowed).
Maintenance Time
Island Hopper's 1,200 mile trip is turning out to be a great shake down cruise. Kevin is seen here monitoring oil levels during the engine break-in period, adjusting idle speeds and just generally making sure all is behaving!
The mechanical space looks like one could eat off the decks or bulkheads!
Day 11 - Grand Harbor Marina to Paris Landing State Park
We had a late start today, primarily due to waiting for a marine supply store to open regarding a couple of hoses. Our goal was to reach Green Turtle Bay, but we had to settle for Paris Landing State Park, a 150 mile journey instead.
Dinner was at the State Park lodge, a buffet that was both good and inexpensive. While most marinas have been providing a courtesy car, the State of Tennessee provides a ranger to drive you to the lodge. When you are finished with dinner, the front desk radios them for your pick up which is both prompt and courteous.
The trip itself started in Pickwick lake, which continued to reveal itself as a large and beautiful body of water. The two large marinas in this lake seem to attract VERY large boats from Florida for the summer, for use during that time in northern climes and now to keep the boats above the 32 degree latitude cut off for hurricanes, keeping their insurance company happy.
After descending to the Tennessee river, we made good progress to Kentucky Lake and Paris Landing State Park.
Dinner was at the State Park lodge, a buffet that was both good and inexpensive. While most marinas have been providing a courtesy car, the State of Tennessee provides a ranger to drive you to the lodge. When you are finished with dinner, the front desk radios them for your pick up which is both prompt and courteous.
The trip itself started in Pickwick lake, which continued to reveal itself as a large and beautiful body of water. The two large marinas in this lake seem to attract VERY large boats from Florida for the summer, for use during that time in northern climes and now to keep the boats above the 32 degree latitude cut off for hurricanes, keeping their insurance company happy.
After descending to the Tennessee river, we made good progress to Kentucky Lake and Paris Landing State Park.
Tennessee River
After leaving Pickwick Lake, the Tennessee River provides the richness of hills and rock face as compared to the flatness of the Ten-Tom and the Tombigbee a few days ago.
Homes Around Pickwick Lake
As we traveled through Pickwick Lake, one could not but be impressed with its size, the boats on it and homes around it.
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
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