Golconda to Green Turtle Bay

Today, we arose with the sun to start another day of our river trip.

Sunrise at Golconda Marina

We leave Golconda, Illinois,  home for only 700 people, but likely the most 700 nicest people you would ever want to meet!

Downtown view of Golconda, Illinois

According to our plan last night, we meet up with Kumbaya and the US Towboat at Smithfield Lock.  As at least 20 barges are beached on shore to pass southbound, we were a little worried.  However, we ended up with only a wait of about 2 hours to lock through.  When given the clearance, we entered  not only with Kumbaya, but with Kelly Lee, a large benzene barge,  but smaller than most, so we could be accommodated in the same chamber.  Not sure what benzene is, but quickly got the idea it is flammable with the warning signs all over the barges of the tow.

Kumbaya and Tow Boat US tied up to starboard side of dock. 

We tie up port side next to Kumbaya and behind the Kelly Lee.

Jackie handles the lock lines.

We leave the lock and enter the Cumberland River.  We are happy to get off the Ohio and  rid of the barges, for the most part. The Cumberland River,  in comparison to the Ohio River, has negligible commercial traffic and we are able to run around 20 mph with our wake not causing issues.

Cumberland River

At the end of the Cumberland River is Barkley Dam which will take us to Lake Barkley.  This is the first lock on our trip in which we will rise up, and not fall.  The wait is about 45 minutes to lock through and we are alone this time.  With a  rise of 48 feet, it operates with a gravity fill and empty system and exchanges 37,500,000 gallons of water per lockage. The water rushes in under us, which is a new experience.

Barkley Lock

Once above the lock, we are in Barkley Lake.  Lake Barkley is 134 miles long with 1004 miles of shoreline. Amazing....no longer a river, but a beautiful lake with wonderful water.

Barkley Lake

About a mile into Barkley Lake, we arrive to Green Turtle Bay Resort and Marina, home to 450 slips. This marina boasts two restaurants, a spa, indoor pool and even botox! This is where we will stay for at least two nights to give the dogs and us a break, do our laundry, buy some perishables and watch some Sunday football.

Green Turtle Resort and Marina

Our day has ended.  We traveled only  50 miles or so, but it has taken us 8 hours.  Tonight we will cook on the boat and drink some cold ones.  Tomorrow is Sunday and a day of rest!  Goodnight all.

Evansville, IN to Golconda, IL

Instead of the the usual fog greeting us this morning, we were met with hundreds of mayflies!

Mayflies everywhere!

After fueling again with some diesel and receiving a  surprise donation of milk from Marty, we bid farewell to Inland Marina, Evansville and the Tropicana Casino.

Tropicana Casino and Hotel

We head downriver and pass through the John T. Myers Lock, which lowers us 28 feet.  This time we are not alone and pass through the lock with a fishing boat.  Once through the lock, the river current is swift, the wind picks up, and the river returns to an ugly muddy brown. The terrain changes and the river banks become steep rocky cliffs.

Ohio River to Golconda

Along the way, we pass Cave In State Park in Southern Illinois. The park boasts tales of pirate ambushes on early Ohio River travelers.  Although the tales may be the tall, the park is beautiful and quite a natural wonder.

Cave In State Park, Southern Illinois

After 112 miles, we arrive at Golconda Marina in Golconda, Illinois.  We are pleasantly surprised to see the boat Kumbaya from our home port of Four Seasons Marina.

A boat from home!

Unfortunately, their journey has not been as smooth as ours. They have had an unexpected  hospital stay in Evansville and a shaft seal leak.  They have called Tow Boat US to help them through the locks tomorrow and onto dockage at Green Turtle Bay, our destination also.  Since the next lock, Smithfield, is down to one chamber and has a backup of barges waiting to pass through, we have decided to travel with Kumbaya and the boat from Tow Boat US.  With a Tow Boat US escort, we are hopeful we will be granted lock through tomorrow. If not, we will return back to Golconda.  Another day down but many more miles to go!

Cannelton Lock to Inland Marine

Today we began at 7 am...but again there was fog.

There is a lock there...the fog has it covered.

We were able to take off around 10 am.  We passed through 2 locks today, Cannelton and Newburg. Some anxious moments...but we are still talking and no one floating.  So all is good.....

The trip today covered 80 miles and it was more scenic than yesterday.

Rockport Bridge

Owensboro Ky

Just past the last lock, is the quaint town of Newburg, IN.  The homes were amazing. Our pictures do not do them justice for sure.

Newburgh, IN

We arrive for the night at Inland Marine.  Too bad the Tiki Bar is closed, as we have the perfect spot for a carry out!

Transient Dock - Inland Marine

All in all, an uneventful trip until Tom encounters the one legged, no engine houseboat cove dweller.  The first thought in our mind was the movie Deliverance,  but all ended well. We joked with him that we thought he would come back with a shot gun, but he replied that as an ex felon, he cannot own a gun. So we are resting easy tonight given Indiana's gun laws. After that encounter, we met an extremely nice woman, and fellow boater, named Marty.  She drove us to the Casino (somehow there is always one in IN) and we enjoyed dinner together at Callahans.  Thank you Marty for your company and hospitality!

Until Tomorrow...

Louisville to Mile Marker 719

Another beautiful morning and we bid farewell to Louisville around 11 am and head downriver.

Louisville Waterfront

Once past the city, we lock through McAlpine Lock and Dam.  This lock is situated at the Falls of the Ohio River, the only falls the entire length of the Ohio River. Without this lock, the Ohio River would not be passable for marine travel.

Approach to McAlpine Lock

Once locked through, we continue down river for approximately 110 miles.  The river bends often and at times takes on the appearance of a lake, not a river. The water is clearer today, but still encounter areas of debris. We do not see any other pleasure boats, but share the river with many barges in this very uninhabited stretch of the river.

One of many barges

Able to increase our speed in some of the clearer water areas.

We arrive at Rocky Point Marina, get diesel for the first time, and will spend the night.

Rocky Point Marina - fuel dock and transient slip all in one

We are tired today, with the total miles traveled about 120.  We are thankful to God for the beautiful weather we have been blessed with thus far. Tomorrow we begin again....

Dog Tired!

Turtle Creek Marina to Louisville KY

After a great steak dinner with a glass of wine last night, combined with helping the local economy by visiting the casino, we begin a new day.

Jeff Ruby's Beltarra Restaurant

Although up at 7 to let the dogs out, we cannot leave until the fog lifts.

Turtle Creek Marina early AM

Around 11 AM, we  leave. Immediately downriver is the Markland Dam which will take us from an Ohio River pool level of about 42 feet to the Louisville Pool of 20 feet.  As it is a Tuesday, with not much pleasure craft traffic, there is no wait to lock through.

Approach to Markland Damn

Inside  the lock, it is filled with debris and all kinds of objects. Not a place to fall overboard for sure! Once we are secure, they close the huge doors, and sound the alarm.  We have been through this lock many times, so it is nice to start the first of many locks on this trip with some prior experience.  The locks screech and creak, which is really eerie and gives the dogs some jitters, to say the least.

Doors to lock closing

It takes no more than 30 minutes to lock through.

Drop about 20 feet to the Louisville Pool

Once through the lock, we continue southbound past Madison, Indiana.  At this point, the river gets crummy with lots of debris.  We slow it down all the way into Louisville.  Near Louisville the river becomes very scenic with many beautiful homes and islands dot the river.

Louisville 1937 Flood sign

We arrive in Louisville and are now docked at the Louisville Water Front Park Dock, which is free and borders a great public park.

So our journey today was about 74 miles.  A beautiful night to end another great day on the water.

The Journey From Cincinnnati Begins!

The journey begins. After a very rainy day in Cincinnati on Sunday, we hesitantly set out on Monday, October 7th, 2013 from Four Seasons Marina, bidding farewell to our home and dock neighbors for the last few years.  The sun comes out, but there is a cool breeze making sure we know fall is near and our time to head south is getting short.

Four Seasons Marina

Entering the river, we see it is rough, with small white caps, muddy and debris filled.  NOT the beautiful Ohio for sure.  We continue past Cincinnati and decide to take things slow and watch out for logs, which could end our trip before we even start.

Cincinnati, Ohio

The river continues to be in not the best condition until we pass Aurora, Indiana. Amazingly, almost magically,  it becomes calm and clear (relatively).  Today we traveled approximately 79 miles to Florence, IN and will be spending the night in Turtle Crekk Marina, which lucky for us is close to Belterra Casino which provides a shuttle service.  So...Jeff Ruby's steak is in our future tonight, celebrating our first day without any major issues and only a little fighting. :)

Turtle Creek  Harbor Marina

Our view for the night.....

Turtle Creek Harbor Marina

Tomorrow is another day on the move, but we are thrilled with the weather forecast and looking forward to another great day on the water.