Sunday April 8, 2012

Hi all,
Here's what has been happening since I last posted.

On Friday, April 6th, we loaded the boat up at Inland Marina in Evansville, IN and got under way after saying goodbye to the folks that came to see us off. They were: Barbara Jones and her granddaughter Ava, Cathy Cobb and her granddaughter Chloe, Pan and Richard Johnson, Starla Clayton, Sherry Walker, Deenie Whitesides and Captain Peg Leg Pete. (See pictures)

We motored past Evansville's downtown, Casino Aztar, a barge and on to the Henderson, KY waterfront. Waiting to see us at the waterfront was Margaret and Steve Goldsberry, Deenie Whitesides, and Dwaine and Michael Oatts.

We made it to Henderson in 1 hour and 15 minutes. Just as we reached Henderson, Tommy noticed we were taking on water. So, we had to tie up to Clement's dock and get the extra bilge pump going and find out where the water was coming from. Once the water was out and the leak fixed, we headed on down the river.

We went past Mt. Vernon, IN and on to the Union Town Lock. At the lock, I climbed out of the boat and up the lock wall to the top. The man working at the lock came over and gave me a ride to our car. I went home to spend the night and to meet Tommy and Louie the next night at KY Lake. They continued on down the river to Shawnee Town where they achored for the night.

On Saturday morning they left Shawnee Town in the fog and missed the bouy. Guess what? They found the bottom. After 2 1/2 hours, a strong wind came along, caught the sail and with the help of the motor, they were able to get moving again. Lesson learned: don't leave until you can see the bouys!

They headed on down to Smithland, KY to that lock. After they locked thru, they were on the Cumberland River. It is a narrow and crooked river with fast water. They past one tow boat with 15 barges in the water and the back end of the tow was stuck against the bank. A little bit later, they saw another tow headed to help him out.

They got behind a tow with barges and was not able to pass it because the river was too narrow. After a long time, they finally got around the tow and barges, but it was getting too late to make it to KY Lake. So, I stayed in a hotel at the lake and waited til morning to catch up with them.

At 7 am, they set out again and made it to Green Turtle Bay around 10:15 after passing under the I 24 bridges and thru the lock. We will be spending the day here while Tommy does some maintanence to the boat. The weather is great, the sun is shining and the wind is blowing enough to keep things cool. I think I'll catch some rays and talk to you guys in a day or two.