This evening we are anchored in Sugar Bay on the east side of Kentucky Lake... It's been a long time since I posted and a lot has happened!
We spent three days in Alton IL waiting for Chain of Rocks Lock to reopen and allow passage down the Mississippi River. The lock was closed for five days, and the tows (tugs and barges) were waiting along both sides, above and below the lock. Let's just say that after 120 miles in the Mississippi, 60 miles up the Ohio River and 35 up the Cumberland River we can confidently discuss with a tow captain whether we'll pass on "one" or "two" whistles.
MAIA spent nine days at Green Turtle Bay Resort in Grand Rivers KY (pay for five get two free plus an extra two days). While there, Dave replaced the water cooling pump on the port engine, and I took five days to drive to and from Richmond and visit loved ones.
So, on to the photos...
We spent three days in Alton IL waiting for Chain of Rocks Lock to reopen and allow passage down the Mississippi River. The lock was closed for five days, and the tows (tugs and barges) were waiting along both sides, above and below the lock. Let's just say that after 120 miles in the Mississippi, 60 miles up the Ohio River and 35 up the Cumberland River we can confidently discuss with a tow captain whether we'll pass on "one" or "two" whistles.
MAIA spent nine days at Green Turtle Bay Resort in Grand Rivers KY (pay for five get two free plus an extra two days). While there, Dave replaced the water cooling pump on the port engine, and I took five days to drive to and from Richmond and visit loved ones.
So, on to the photos...
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| Sunset and shadows from the Port Charles MO marina. |
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| Along the Mississippi south of Alton IL, train tunnels. |
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| Entrance to the Chain of Rocks Canal to the left (dam to the right) |
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| In the Chain of Rocks Canal, these two tows advised us not to pass between else we might end up an expensive bumper... |
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| Can you believe this tow... |
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| fit in the left lock chamber? |
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| A house perched atop the limestone cliff along the Mississippi. |
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| Hoppie's Marina was simply barges tied to the Mississipi River bank. |
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| This fisherman took advantage of the low water to create his own boat ramp. |
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| A quarry along the Mississippi. |
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| Remnants of a wing dam built to control silting in the channel |
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| Fellow Loopers SUNSHINE and TANGO follow MAIA in the fog after a night tied up at the Kaskaskia Lock. |
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| The fog lifted early. Good thing since we had a ten hour day ahead of us. Due to low water in the Mississippi, many anchorages were too shallow for us. At least we didn't have to worry about running aground like so many tows. |
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| Sunset at our anchorage in the Ohio River below Cumberland Towhead Island. |
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| The Cumberland River was quite narrow. |
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| SNOW CAT, TANGO and ECHO waiting for us at the Barkley Lock in KY. |
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| Green Turtle Bay Resort (complete with turtles) off of Barkley Lake just the other side of the lock. It's kind of nice to hear southern accents again. |
