Foggy Start Leaving Green Turtle Bay

Day 172 … Mon, Oct 9, 2017 … 21.94 miles; 2:45 hours

We went to the local “Yacht Club” at GTB last night with Sonny from Cork Screw. Phyllis had taken a rental car to Nashville to play with the grand kids. Sonny and Phyllis were the FIRST Loopers we met … way back at Bohemia Bay at the Chesapeake end of the C&D Canal on the Chesapeake Bay. Dinner wasn’t great; matter fact probably the least enjoyable we have had to date – BUT, Sonny is a hoot and great company. Despite the food (and spider on the bread basket); we had a great time.

We do not have far to go today, so waiting for the fog to lift did not alter our plans. Rip took the time to dinghy over to the ships store, instead of walking, to check for running lights for the dinghy (ours are not working properly and consistently) and to top of the gas tank at the fuel dock.

Once underway, we were quickly off Barkley Lake an on the Kentucky Lake via the Barkley Canal.

The land between the lakes is all park land. Most of our anchorages from here to the end of Kentucky Lake will be on the park side. The first one, tonight, will be on the opposite shore. Ledbetter Creek, only 20 miles from Green Turtle Bay.

The clouds started to clear as we entered the canal, which only served to warm things up.

There was supposed to be a boat ramp, but we couldn't find one. There was lots of shoreline for Cally. Unfortunately the rocks at the shore are sharp, not rounded, so Cally is cautious walking. No running on this "beach". She did get to swim and cool off.

Though many boats left GTB this am, we traveled alone. Most are going to the AGLCA Fall Rendezvous and traveling further per day they we like to go. Others are faster boats or boats without dog's that can travel longer per day. We will catch up with them later. But for tonight, this is peaceful and quiet. Probably going to get really dark! Nothing but woods around us.

Scenes along the way today …

Our Week at Green Turtle Bay

Days 165 - 171 … Oct 2 – Oct 8, 2017 … 0 miles

Green Turtle Bay Resort, Grand Rivers KY

We moved over to the marina early on Tuesday. So, we had basically a full day at the marina ) verses running for 4-6 hours and then getting into a marina late afternoon) – making lots of time to so see other Loopers, get settled in and relaxing.

I spotted a father/son team cleaning a couple other Looper boats. After inquiring about services and pricing; the Captain decided the boat deserved a spa day and he deserved a break giving his back more time to recuperate.

Really, Rip just has too much on his plate this week with finalizing taxes and just doesn’t need to squeeze any more into this week. We do need some rest time as the next 750+/- miles to Mobile involve moving and anchoring more. There will be less marinas from here to Mobile, AL; enough for provisioning, laundry, etc. Just really spaced out.

Dinner out with 6 other Looper boats was a blast.

The restaurant, Patti’s, had a courtesy van pick all 14 of us up and drop us back at the marina.

Tuesday, we organized Docktails by our boat. 17+ Looper boats attended. Normally, it is hard for us to host docktails as our boat is one of the smallest and really doesn’t have space for a “party”. However, this is a long term slip holders space … the slip is covered, the dock is really wide and there is a patio table and chairs set for us to use!! WOW … lots of fun.

Wednesday was boat spa day, courtesy of Patrick & his dad; Rip on taxes and me catching the blog up. Cally might get a swim, too.

Rip finalized taxes                                     

on Wednesday … and Cally helped.

Thurs, we rented a golf cart to get to the town post office (taxes, ugh) and lunch out with Firestorm.

Friday was BLOG day for me, hair cut & route planning for Rip. Then, POOL TIME!!

Green Turtle Bay, Grand Rivers, KY

Day 164 … Sun, Oct 1, 2017 … 43.3 miles, 6.5 hours

Paducah, KY to Green Turtle Bay Resort, Grand Rivers, KY

Lots of partying until about 2am last night ... by others, not us. Still, got a good nights sleep.

7 boats left the dock together this morning. Gypsies Palace, Firestorm, Odyssey, One Eye Dog, Steel Away and us. CWay left shortly after. Only about 10 miles up the Ohio River, then we all turned onto the much narrower, but less commercially used, Cumberland River. We will all need to go thru the Barkley Lock before getting to our destination.

Everyone is going to Green Turtle Bay Marina (GTB) today, except us. We will anchor out tonight, then head into a slip at GTB on Monday for a week. We have traveled every day for 8 days straight, so time to rest up, recoup, do chores and relax a bit.

Just heard Bad Habit & Kia Mae will be at GTB Tues and Wed ... YAY!! We haven't seen them since somewhere on the Erie Canal. I have followed them on FB; it's not the same.

The anchorage was a wonderful, quiet night. There was a nice boat ramp with really nice docks for me to dinghy Cally to do business.

 

Monday morning was nice and relaxed. After a couple cups of coffee, shore dooty and breakfast – we picked up the anchor and moved to the next cove and into a slip at GTB. Here for a week!!

Off to Paducah and their New Town Docks, Paducah, KY

Day 163 … Sat, Sept 30, 2017 … 27.8 miles; 6:15 hours … with 3 hour wait at Lock 52

Lock 53 Wall to Paducah, KY

As we were on the land side lock wall and the other 3 Loopers were on the opposite lock wall, no communication was had about leaving this am.

We rose early, for us, about 6. Did the fast version of our morning routine and once we saw someone else readying to leave, I quickly got Cally to shore for morning business. Back at the boat we were ready to shove off within the group. This was a new record for us ... off by 7:10 am. Wow!

We are all headed to the new town docks at Paducah, KY, but must negotiate one of the notoriously slow locks on our way.

Luck was on our side! By the time we arrived at the pool there were 2 other Loopers there waiting. The lock master quickly informed us 2 tows had to go in front and lock thru, then it would be our turn. So, we all put our anchors down to wait. Not a bad wait, as the weather was nice with comfortable temps. It was 3 hours before those 2 tows went through and we got through.

The lock master was true to his word and called in the PC's, pleasure crafts, after the second tow.

Unusual, we all floated in the chamber as it came up 10'. Normally you tie to the wall.

The group that went ahead last night tied to the wall to lock thru ... but, it was pitch dark except for the lock lights when they went through. Anyway, somehow, everyone one wanted to go into the lock last, we thought we were going in second to last; basically following the order we arrived at the lock. But no one was moving forward, Rip pulled us in first. This meant we had the lock water fill current pushing us. The wind was blowing us to starboard and our boat backs to starboard... making it hard on Rip to keep the boat centered in the chamber and by the 300' marker (as we were told to be beside by the lockmaster). Rip did an AMAZING job! A very short learning curve to feel out the current and wind; then he had it down pat. I was by the stern with a long boat hook, just in case.

Then down to the new docks at Paducah. And the docks are full with just enough room for us, with the help of Firestorm directing the dock hands to slide one boat back to make more room. Firestorm clued us in we wanted to be on the inside of the docks for less rocking by the waves of passing tows. Plus Firestorm talked with the dockhands to explain, Lab Partners needed on the dock and not rafted, if space became on issue.  The dockhand has a Lab and was on our side. Being the first in the lock meant we were first at the dock, a short 3.5 miles away, so into the spot Firestorm set up for us and lots of Looper hands to help get us in. Good thing, as the 2 dockhands were not well trained (only open 9 days) and not understanding what we needed. Firestorm and One Eye Dog helped and taught the dock hands a thing or two at the same time. They were eager to learn.

A long Day and we are caught up to our buddies ... time for docktails on GP!!

Even Abby (aboard One Eye Dog) enjoyed docktails!

It was Riverfest / BBQ fest just at the top of the hill ... carnival atmosphere with 40+ booths for food. I brought the Captain back ribs for dinner, per his request.

However, all was not perfect ... 2 local go fast boats came in late and docked at the fuel dock; then commenced to party and play loud music. Didn't ask if we wanted to hear it ... but hear it we did until well after we went to bed.