It was a little foggy on the Ohio, so we waited a little until it started to burn off.
Cindy's Observations: We pulled up our anchor in spotty light fog which made a picturesque sunrise with water so calm it looked like glass. Our wake carried completely across to both sides of the chute undisturbed.
We finally started engines and left at 8:20. We again decided to let Sno Daz set the pace and we would follow. The current was not bad and we made about 8 mph over the ground (SOG) while traveling about 8.5 mph through the water (STW).
The Cumberland is a fairly narrow river with a lot of bends. The AIS came in real handy to identify any traffic that may be coming around the corners. Luckily, I only identified 2 tow boats on the whole trip up to the Dam. Both of those were setting idle up against the banks when we got to them. Earlier I could see one of them running up and down a short section of the river. When we got there she was a small tug that had been shuttling empty barges back and forth.
Cindy's Observations: Cumberland river was a welcome pace after the hustle and bustle of the heavy commercial river routes. There were several waterfowl and birds along the marsh type banks. This grassy edge gives this river a clean look opposed to the Mississippi.
Traversing one section of the river, three Eagles swooped across ahead of us. One was older and had the white head and tail, but the other two were younger and were still all one color. Pat took a picture of them in a tree, but they are very difficult to make out especially the young one, because of his lack of coloring. If you click on the pictures and blow them up you can make out the adult eating something while the young one looks down from above.
Cindy's Observations: With Grafton as our primary eagle watching site, seeing our nations iconic bird feeding in unfamiliar territory was quite exilerating. It was truly a "Sony A 65" moment.
Immediately before the lock, we went under the I-24 bridge (again) we had gone under it on the Ohio once before.
Pat has a new camera that can take panoramic photos, She took one of the river and one of the Dam at Lake Barkley as we arrived.
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| Barkley Lock and Dam |
The Lock doors were massive and they were not even close to one of the locks that we will go through later in our trip.
Cindy's Observations: Comming up to the lock doors I was in awe. They were the biggest I had been through. The height of the doors dwarfed the inside chamber. A bollard lock that had elevator speed. We rose 40 ft in minutes. On the up river side of the chamber above the doors were steel pipes running lengthwise like bleacher seats. Pearched on these pipes were gulls. I had a feeling these guys made sport of watching the boaters abilities to control their craft during the water level changes. I was watching for the score cards to appear.
Next stop, Green Turtle Bay. We arrived at 1:30!! Plenty of time to get the boat tied up and relax.
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| Entrance to Green Turtle Bay |
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| Green Turtle Bay |
Cindy's Observations: Green Turtle Bay is pampered campers type of Marina. Pat and I checked out all the facilities. The bath suites and laundry room are clean and close to the transient slips. Has an indoor heated pool with dry/wet sauna. A day spa for massages and salon for nails. In town, Grand Rivers, has a restaurant (Patties) that will send a shuttle for their guests. We took advantage and had a good dinner there with Sno Daz. Back at the boat we caught up to Gemini Dream and Loopi Kiwi.
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