Inland Marina to Golconda Armina, Golconda IL (10/24/07)

We decided to leave early from Evansville at first light in rainy weather. Drift (floating debris) was light to none, so we made good time to Golconda, though two cold and and rainy lock thrus.

We passed 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

After arving in Golconda, the rain continued with moderate wind. We were able to call a local tavern and have them pick us up for dinner, drinks and a little pool (Springwater Saloon). Very freindly folks at the local watering hole.

The balance of this cruise is continued at Island Hoppers Blog, managed by the first mate.

Rocky Point Marina to Inland Marina, Evansville, Indiana (10/23/07)

Rain rain go away . . . the childhood poem of a rainy day dismay rings through my head as we motor down the river, two lock thrus and finally dock at Inland Marina in Evansville, Indiana.

During the day we noted a couple of dredges, "mining" the river bottom for gravel. They scour the bottom and offload it to barges on both sides of the dredge.

Mining the Ohio River

Although a bit soggy, our spirits are high . . . the question “are we having fun yet?” being bantered about from time to time. We are told by Katie at Inland Marina that the river is going up 9’ to action stage (23.4’) by Wednesday midnight.

Moorage at Rocky Point Marina

Fueling at Rocky Point Marina

We are currently tied up at the gas dock, but have water, 50 amp service, and a courtesy car at the marina. There is a couple in transit from Terrace Park who have left their sailboat here, rented a car and returned to Cincinnati for a couple of days, pending better weather.

We anticipate slow or no passage tomorrow, needing to make 112 miles or stay here another night. We will see.

Louisville Kentuckty to Rocky Point Marina Indiana (10/22/07)

We left Lousiville early this AM after a heads up from the lockmaster at McAlpin Dam who infored us he was locking though a towboat ( Crescent City) and a pleasure boat at 8:15 AM.

We made it and total lock thru time was about 15 minutes, score one for the good guys!

McAlpin Lock Thru

The weather forecast was for a good morning and a rainy afternoon which was exactly correct. The river between Louisville and Canelton is pristine, very little development. Add that to the rainy afternoon, besides towboat traffic, no one on the river.

A rainy day on the Ohio

This allowed us to make very good time, 7.5 hours for a total of 120 miles. Score two for the good guys!

In route we passed Leavenworth Indiana, well known for it's luxurious inn and where Jenny and Dan opted for luxiourious accomadation over the modest venue of the Greenbriar in West Virginia (http://www.leavenworthinn.com/).

Leavenworth Inn

What a surpise to see our former Rear Commodore involved in a new business enterprise on the river after Leavenworth (Terry's Camp). We all wish Terry the best of luck!

We arrived at Rocky Point Marina in a steady rain and docked with little fanfare. The marina was recently purchased and provided a very good meal at their on-site retuarant.Tomorrow we expect to arrive in Evansville Indiana, a short 73 miles or so.

Warsaw Kentucky to Louisville Kentucky

The trip from Warsaw, Kentucky to Louisville, Kentucky took six hours, mostly owing top operating at reduced speed in order not to wake the numerous boats that were enjoying this beautiful Sunday.

Dan Crocker helping to lock thru

The shoreline was beginning to take on fall colors, the water having a blue-green quality and cliffs overlooking the river in the Madison Indiana area. Truly a beautiful day.

Several options for moorage in Louisville included Captains Quarters, Louisville Boat Club and Limestone Marina. We were fortunate to be able to overnight at Captains Quarters, arranged by a mutual friend. In addition, we enjoyed a wonderful meal at Captains Quarters with guests John and Connie Emmerich.

Island Hopper at Captains Quarters

One cannot be impressed with the amount of boating activity in Louisville, even this late in the season. The river is wide (lake like) with interesting areas to beach (18 mile and 12 mile island).
Tomorrow will be a longer day, with the goal of completing around 112 miles

Cincinnati to Warsaw, Kentucky

It’s Fall and after three straight seasons in the water, Barb and I have put Degaje in to storage for the winter. I am now aboard the Island Hopper, helping transit the boat back to Florida. My part will be from Cincinnati to Mobile, with the wives joining us at Green Turtle Bay.

Kevin Ed and Dan at start of trip

The first day (October 20th) took us from Cincinnati to Warsaw, Kentucky (63 statute miles) where we stayed at Smugglers Cove Marina. A good dinner at the marina restaurant, the Sunset Grille consisted of the special, T-Bone steak, baked potato and corn on the cob for $13.95.

The second day (October 21st) started late, since we had a relatively short distance to cover (65 miles) to Louisville KY. A very quick lock thru at Markland Lock and Dam (small chamber) started the day on a good noteFirst lock thru of the trip, Markland DamConfluence of the Kentcuky and Ohio Rivers

Happenings To Date

I have been negligent in continuing this blog, so I thought I would bring it up to date. Last year after the Island Hopper trip, the boating season saw a lot of high water and not a lot of activity. This coupled with work and family obligations made for a poor boating season.

Outings were close to home with the exception of a trip to Manchester Islands http://www.fws.gov/northeast/ohioriverislands/ about 70 miles up river. The trip took a little over 8 hours with jet ski in tow. enjoyed a nice evening watching a family of beaver while we, Barb and I, ate dinner and finished off a bottle of wine. The next day centered around jet skiing and swimming. The return trip was via White Oak Creek Marina (Higginsport).

This year our boating activity has also started a bit slow but promises to be a little more active. A recent trip to Smugglers Cove http://www.smugglerscovemarina.com/ (63 Statute miles), returning via Light House Marina was very enjoyable and included a rendezvous with Island Hopper, Moggie's Tub and Break Away.

The picture below is the gang enjoying dinner aboard the top deck of Degaje.

Below, happy hour aboard Degaje tied up next to Island Hopper

Although we grilled out the first night, we decided to take advantage of the Sunset Grill (part of Smugglers Cove) with gambling afterwords at Belterra Casino for those so inclined.

Day 15 - Louisville Kentucky to Cincinnati Ohio

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.

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.

Back in Cincinnati

The Cincinnati skyline as we approach the city

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.

Belle of Louisville

'nuff said!

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.

ooops?

River dropped?

Harry Standing Watch

Been a long trip!

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!

Red Sky at Night . . .

Sailors delight!

Finally at moorage in Owenboro, KY at Executive Marina!

Evansville Indiana

The largest town since Mobile, Alabama . . . go figure!

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!

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).