Spending the nights on the boat while parked on the water is a little tricky. Sleep is often interrupted by the fear that the anchor will come loose or that a barge will come apart and ram into us. It is comforting to be with other boaters and we have been lucky to find very nice people with which to travel.
This happens to be on a morning whn we are all breaking apart and heading out for the day. It is nice for each of us to check about barge traffic or any other hazard that might be presenting itself. We also give each other an idea of where we might end the day.
Moving from the Mississippi into the Ohio was very busy. It is very difficult to see so many tows and barges working away and still try to manuvere through the river. Four eyes and a marine radio are hardly enough. We were given a rough time by a work barge and the workers were laughing like crazy. I was scared to death! Oh well, I guess everyone needs to have a little fun at work. I just wish it hadn't been at our expense. Rick says I need to calm down a little. Well, when we get on dry land for more than 24 hours, it may happen!
We have been told not to pull up on a beach on the lower part of the river as the depth can change so fast overnight, the boat could become beached. I think there is more of a story to this boat, but couldn't help wonder what happened when we saw it.
We are now working against the current on the Ohio River. Everything has changed as we are moving up river instead of down river. This includes the radio channels and channel markers. It gets confusing occasionally but it also adds to the challenge of the trip. We only go 4 to 5 mph and use a lot more gas!
Metropolis gave us an interesting spot to dock. There was a very small dock at Massac State Park. Three boats tied on together to spend the night as it was getting dark and we knew we couldn't get through the next lock and dam until after dark. None of wanted that experience. The view was beautiful from the hill overlooking the dock. I don't think anyone got a real good night's sleep. The barges came very close and we all rocked together.
In the morning we discovered that one of the boats was stuck. This was the boat belonging to Dixie and Dicky. Luckily, we had waited to make sure they were okay and ended up pulling them out of their spot. We were in a big hurry to "lock through". The wait was only about another hour. By that time we had another two boats join our group.
Bob is a marine biologist who has travelled to the Kentucky Lakes from the Alton area a few times. He was having some motor difficulties yesterday but is doing better today and has joined us at Paducah. He is looking for a shower, etc. We are lucky to have those ameneties on the houseboat. We all had a delicious meal in town at noon. They even gave each of us a bag of ice since there is no convenient store close.
This is just one of many mural sections on the wall at Paducah. It is a delightful town and the people are very friendly. A group of you bio-chemical engineering students just gave Rick a ride to get some gas from a station as there are none within walking distance. Bob just told me someone else had offered to do the same.
Our big decision now is whether to go down the Cumberland into Lake Barkley or the Tennessee into Kentucky Lake. We'll sleep on it and decide in the morning. Have a great Monday.
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