Louisville

Smugglers Cove to Louisville was not unlike a couple of days ago, strong currents and a lot of debris.  We decided NOT to stay in Louisville other than tonight.  Tomorrow, we will have a 129 mile day from Heather's on the River to Rocky Point Marina.  We are hoping the river forecast changes or at least can stay in Owensboro vs staying at Rocky Point more than one day. Regardless, without a change in river levels, we will need to cool our heels 2 more days somewhere.

Dock at Heather's on the River in Louisville.  Not first class, but we are the only ones here and have have fuel, power and water.

Decided to have dinner in Louisville on the fly bridge.

Carrollton Ky heading toward Louisville

Looking aft inside Degaje.  All the comforts of home.

Barb at the helm posing for a picture to be sent to the grandkids (grandma driving the boat AAAARGH)

First and only mate Barb at the helm

Folks waiting for the Regatta in Madison Indiana.  We arrived at 11:00, races started at noon.

Smugglers Cove 4th of July

Still at Smugglers Cove for tonight.  Will watch the fireworks and head to Louisville tomorrow.  Bad news is downriver the level is rising so we may stay in Louisville for more than one night.

New Chapter

As we enter retirement, Barb and I decided to relocate the boat to Green Turtle Bay located in the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area, Grand Rivers Kentucky.   This will involve moving Degaje 450 miles down the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers over a period of 9-10 days, with 9 lock throughs.  The difficult part has been the planning, scheduling and adjusting for river conditions.  We finally decided to leave today in less than ideal conditions, then cool our heels at Smugglers Cove 66 miles down river for a few days, waiting for conditions to improve.  We have now arrived at Smugglers Cove.  Below are pictures of the launch in a high river and a dock which was inaccessible resulting in a direct launch and go from the trailer.

BVI's

Just in case you all think we have not been doing anything, here are a couple of videos from the BVI's in April.   After a couple of nice sailing days, we got weathered in at Trellis Harbor.

Finally, we broke free in 22 knot winds and had a great sail heading toward Virgin Gorda.

On the Hard

Degaje has been on the hard at Washington Marine having strut backing plates replaced and a replacement of fresh and waste water tanks in preparation of changing our cruising grounds to Tennessee next year. We plan on taking Degaje down the Cumberland River and cruising the Tennessee over the next couple of years.  Keep tuned to this blog starting early summer 2015.

Degaje IS looking good, a lot of TLC and looking forward to more cruising over the next couple of years

Just returned from a trip up-river to Portsmouth OH, see video below:

July 4th Weekend

We finally launched on June 20th.  For the next week and a half, we cleaned, shampooed carpets, etc.

On the 2nd of July we ventured down to the Launch Club to put towels and linens away, make the beds and generally straighten up.  Had a nice cruise downtown and back, then fired up the grille for dinner, followed by wine and chat with friends and then to bed.

Sophie, our dog was aboard on her best behaviour.

July 3rd involved cleaning the outside and top deck furniture just because it needed to be done and  in preparation for Kevin and Debbie who will join us on the 4th for for lunch and some kayaking.

Spring 2011

It has been a very wet spring with the river at or near flood stage in to May.  Couple this with a busy work schedule and a trip to Abaco, it will be a late launch.  Worked this weekend getting Degaje ready, but still on the hard.  Will call tomorrow to schedule the launch, hopefully finishing waxing tomorrow night.

Prepping Degaje for Launch

Season is Over

On the 15th of October, Degaje went on the hard until spring.  A bit early, but travel for work is picking up, we have a wedding in Virginia to attend this month and then a week aboard the Island Hopper, Long Boat Key to Naples and back.

We are hoping for an early spring launch, but that is entirely dependent on how the river is behaving.

2010 Riverfest

As the 2010 boating year begins to wrap up, we had another successful hosting of freinds aboard Degaje for the Cincinnati Riverfest Fireworks.

A few of the crew aboard Degaje for Riverfest

In excess of 1,500 boats were expected on the river along with an estimated 500,000 watching from shore. 

Looking up-river as boats continue to arrive

The show was good, though a little less than previous years as the economy seems to take its toll. 

Waiting for the show to begin

Showtime!

Last 7 minutes of the 35 minute show

Cincinnati to Agusta

Readying the boat today for passengers, our good friends John and Vicki Moseley.  We will be traveling to Augusta, KY, having dinner at the The Beehive Tavern, spending the night on the dock and then on Saturday,  back down river to anchor out below Meldahl dam, back to ORLC Saturday night.

Beehive Tavern

The Beehive Tavern (http://www.beehivetavernrestaurant.com/)  was built in 1796. In the late 1863 Morgan's raiders attacked Augusta Kentucky after 6,000 troops had been sent to aide the Union leaving only 100 home guards in place. As part of Morgan's famous Raid, Confederate Col. Basil Duke led 350 mounted infantry into Augusta where they encountered heavy resistance from the home guards who had taken up defensive positions within the city. The Confederates opened up on Augusta with cannon, reportedly hitting what is now the tavern, however the home guard stood firm repulsing the Confederate Raiders from the city.

On Friday morning, after loading John and Vicki's kayak and other assorted gear, we departed ORLC.  Little did we know that Degaje would live up to her name, again!
It was a beautiful day after a hot and wet summer, as we headed up the Ohio.  John took the helm as Captain Ed took to other duties.

John at the helm

After passing by various towns and waypoints we requested a north bound lock through at Meldahl dam, but found that the small chamber (usualy reserved for recreational/pleasure boaters) was closed and both lock chambers may be closed for a day or two.

We decided to stay in our pool, and not lock through.  The water was pleasant just below the dam so we decided to swim and kayak here, and later go back down river to New Richmond for dinner.   We chose Front Street Cafe, a garden restuarant with country/bluegrass music and great food (http://www.frontstcafe.com/)

Vicki reading on the bow while heading up-river

Barb and Vicki enjoying "adult" beverages

Vicki

John

Barb

Afer dinner and drinks at the Front Street Cafe we motored by night to an anchorage about 45 minutes down river.  Dessert of sorbet, fruit and a bottle of wine followed, with the promise of more kayaking and swimming the next day.

"Smoke on the Water" . . .  Fog burning off Saturday morning at anchor

Our boats name, Degaje is Haitian Creole which means to make do or be flexible. once again, we were.

Cincinnati - Louisville - Part 3

Barb and I were up early this morning and able to catch a spectacular sunrise after which we went on a walk to a local coffee shop and then back to the boat for some phone calls and emails.

Sunrise

We then joined Dan and Jenny to return to the  Falls of the Ohio Discovery Center that had been closed on Sunday.   Prior to 1927, there was no dam or locks, so when the river was high enough a beautiful falls existed here.

Falls of the Ohio pre-1927

Play Ball!  A visit to the Lousiville Slugger museum was well worth the stop and included a factory tour. 

Louisville Slugger Museum

The day ended with a visit to one of the oldest continually operated family run confectioner in the US (http://www.schimpffs.com) and dinner at Vincenzo's, a very nice upscale Italian restaurant (http://www.vincenzositalianrestaurant.com/).

The return portion of the trip included an overnight at Smugglers Cove, 70 miles from Louisville and 67 miles from the Ohio River Launch Club.

Cincinnati - Louisville - Part 2

We left Smugglers Cove on Saturday about 8:30 AM and had finished locking through at Markland Dam by 10:00 AM.  The 70 Miles to Louisville was scheduled to take 7 1/2 - 8 hours.  We arrived at the slip in  Louisville during a severe thunderstorm.  Instead of a near impossible attempt to dock due to heavy rain and high winds, we simply motored a rectangular box course for 45 minutes or so in front of downtown Louisville while monitoring weather radar via laptop.  We finally docked around 5:30 pm with Dan and Jenny's capable assistance.

Dan and Jenny aboard "Trust Me Too" pass us on the way to Louisville

For dinner saturday evening we went to Jack Fry's restaurant.  The atmosphere (casual) with light jazz saxaphone in the background was wonderful.  The menu selection and food was great.  http://www.jackfrys.com/

On Sunday morning our cab driver from the night before picked us up promptly at 9:30 to take us to Budget Rent a Car.  By 10:30 we were back at the boat with wheels for the next 2 days.

Throughout the rest of the day we touristed in Louisville, visiting the Churchill Downs Museum and Falls of the Ohio.

Myself and Barb at Falls of the Ohio

It was at the falls that Lewis and Clark set out on their expedition:

A late lunch and casual walk downtown on the riverfront ended the day.

  The Steamboat Belle of Louisville Docking

Cincinnati to Louisville

During last year's trip to Madison Indiana, we noted that Louisville was not that much further, so we decided to plan a trip this year to Louisville aboard the Degaje.  Friends, Dan and Jenny Crocker also joined us aboard their boat, "Trust Me Too."

We left bright and early Friday morning, destined for Smugglers Cove Marina which is about half way, sixty- five miles of the 135 mile journey. 

Leaving the Cincinnati area, through town first

Our average cruising speed was 9 miles per hour, so the estimated time for the trip was close to 7 hours. 

Leaving Cincinnati behind

Argosy Casino at Rising Sun, IN

Barb and I had wondered if we could take Degaje up Big Bone Creek where Big Bone Lick State Park is located. This trip we were adventerous enough to try and were surprised to find more than adequate depth to handle Degaje, in some places 16 feet below our keel.

Big Bone Creek

After arriving at Smugglers Cove, we joined the Crocker's and two other couples, Terry and Nancy Glasgow and Dave and Anita Moeggenberg, from Ohio River Launch Club club who had overnighted at Rising Sun on Thursday night and were also staying at Smugglers Cove on Friday Night.

Dinner at Smugglers Cove  - Sunset Grille

After a brief Happy Hour we walked to the on-site restaurant, Sunset Grille, and enjoyed the weekly "Rib Night".

Kicking Around - Part 3

Had a leisurely breakfast this morning and prepared the boat for cruising about 35- 40 miles up river to Old Coney/Riverbend for the Pops concert and fireworks.  At an average of 9-10 miles per hour the trip will take a bit over 4 hours.  Stopped at Lawrenceburg to stretch our legs and have lunch at the Riverwalk Restaurant.  Nice place and a good menu.

Lawrenceburg, IN

Anchored across from Riverbend, kayaked and generally just hung out in the water to cool off from a 90 degree day.  Returned to the boat club around 11:30 PM to find out that the ramp from the stage had broken (failed weld), so moved the boat to another dock in order to off load in the AM.

Boats waiting for the Pops concert and fireworks across from Riverbend

Kicking Around - Part 2

Woke up this morning to a bunch of mayflies (aka, ugly bugs) on the decks and thick fog.  Washed down the decks with river water from a bucket suspended from a line, and had a nice breakfast as the sun burned the fog off.  Did a little kayaking and swimming throughout the day, chilled and decided to spend another night.  Oh, also finished removing the glue from the transom of the faded name of the boat that I put on about 7 years ago and applied the new letters.

Yours truly returning to the boat

Looking NW, up river, just before going down below

Kicking Around

Over the 4th of July weekend, Barb and I decided to take the boat 37 miles down river to Laughery Island which on the narrow side of the river is a safe place to anchor out, as the commercial river traffic passes on the other side of the island.  Laughery Island, also called Laughery's Island, and is named after Archibald Lochry,  the leader of an ill-fated group of Pennsylvania militiamen who were attacked near the island by Native Americans in 1781 during the American Revolutionary War, a battle known as Lochry's Defeat.

The rest of this trip will be detemined by what moves us!

Heading south from Cincinnati

Aurora Indiana

On the hook, enjoying a beautiful sunset with a glass of wine and fruit with whipped cream