LONG DAY ON THE RIVERS

The rain NEVER materialized until Wednesday evening when we were anchored just off the I-57 Bridge on the Mississippi, about four miles north of the Ohio. There are no marinas from Hoppies for the next 257 miles so you must anchor out. Of course, the swift current of the river (four to five knots) plus the continue barge traffic all night makes it a real challenge. Craig and Mary Lou Anderson, we joined you in the ‘bad anchoring experience club” with the Captain and first mate exchanging unfriendly words! We had to move four times before the anchor would hold in the muddy bottom –even with almost 150 feet of chain out. The long anticipated rain came that evening along with exciting lighting. Thursday was a looooong day on the Ohio and Cumberland rivers with a gazillion tows and barges. It was capped by a three hour wait at one lock. Try holding a boat in one place for three hours in a swiftly moving river. Finally, we arrived at Green Turtle Marina, a very nice marina on Barkley Lake, part of the Kentucky Lakes. It was after dark when we came in and Ned did a masterful job of getting us into a strange marina. Another boat was following us and after docking, we all quickly changed and went to the Yacht Club for a drink (or two) and dinner. Today, Friday, we remained at Green Turtle to have a minor plumbing repair but they did not have the needed part, so forget the repair for now. We will leave in the morning, continuing South. This Gulf Turtle Marina is filled with Loopers who are all heading south to the Looper Rendezvous in northern Alabama…… Don’t plan to attend. We are not sure what kind of cell phone service we will have down through Tennessee and Alabama but we will blog when we can. Keep those e-mails coming so we know what is going on in the real world.
Posted by the First Mate, Cook , Launderer and all around utility person! HEY, someone has to blow my Horn!





Captain's Note...
Just had to add the adjacent picture of queer little boat that stayed a night or two at Hoppie's. It's a homemade "boat" about fifteen feet long with a 10' x 10' box with roll down canvas sides and a very small outboard motor. A young couple left Minneapolis and planned to go all the way to New Orleans. The sides were down when I took the picture because it was starting to rain. They were brave souls !