Lick Creek anchorage

61 low / 87 high

I awoke yesterday to another stunning day. The stars were shining brightly as they have been for many days. Sometimes we just forget to see the beauty of the night sky or we are in a place with to many lights to be able to appreciate it. As the sun rose the fog set in. Not to bad because the restaurant serves their famous cinnamon rolls and coffee to the transient boaters even though they don't open. It was another fabulous day for cruising. I'll add some pictures tonight when we get to a marina and have better wi-fi. We arrived at our anchorage a little before 2 pm in Lick Creek. Anchored in 11' of water rafted to Thanks Dad. There are a few houses around the area but we still saw deer and wild turkeys. This morning we can't see anything due to the fog.

The leaves are a changing.

Homes along the river.

The center one looks like a lighthouse.

Entrance to Lick Creek anchorage.

Thanks Dad at anchor.

Anchorage

That's Louie, 1 of 3 aboard.

Pebble Isle Marina, New Johnstown, Tn.

66 low / 86 high

We had a leisurely start yesterday morning waiting until all the bass tournament boats departed the state park marina. Another beautiful day on the water. We saw several flocks of white pelicans again today. They are slowly migrating south. This marina is tucked back in a little bay and a beautiful setting. Stu & Julie on Meander arrived before us and we all had doctails together. There is a little restaurant here that served us a fabulous meal for dinner.

Old railroad bridge.

Abandoned dock. 

White pelicans.

The lake/river.

Paris Landing State Park

57 low / 84 high

Yesterday was a beautiful day to get underway again. We enjoyed our stay at Green Turtle Bay but we were ready to go. A short distance south of the marina is the Barkley Canal which connects Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. Once through that we are on Kentucky Lake and the Tennessee River. The scenery was stunning. We crossed into Tennessee about 40 miles into the trip. Our first day in a while traveling with no tows. We arrived at Paris Landing State Park Marina about 230 pm. John & Sue on Thanks Dad were here waiting for us. After catching up on things we had a fish fry on the dock. It was great. Today will be a short day heading for Pebble Isle Marina.

Trees are changing.

Feeding frenzy!

Sunrise

On the docks at GTB.

Along Kentucky Lake.

John frying fish.

Last day at GTB

Finally put back in the water about 4 pm. After a leak check we moved out to the end of Dock 5. Docktails with new friends on Patriot, a Nordic Tug 32. They just started the loop in Ludington, Mi. Today we move south and meet up with John & Sue on Thanks Dad.

Day 8 Green Turtle Bay

52 low / 82 high

We anxiously awaited the call to come over and get hauled out yesterday morning. It didn't come. I finally called at 1100 am and got the voice mail. About 1130 am, Gary the boss came by the boat to ask what we weighed. That determined he said come on over and they would lift me with the small lift. We were out of the water by noon. First bad news was the had to remove the rudder to get the shaft out. Then the rest of the afternoon was spent trying to remove the bolt that held the shaft to the coupling on the transmission. Never got it out. So last night we spent in the slings of the lift, but we did have electricity. John & Kathy of Serenity were kind enough to let us lounge on their boat throughout the day. We rented a golf cart to get back and forth to the main part of the marina and even took a drive tour through the whole complex. Another great docktail party last night with so much food that we just had a snack for dinner. Prayers were said for help on that nasty bolt so we should be good today. John & Sue on Thanks Dad returned from Atlanta and will move on today without us. They will linger south with hopes of us catching up late today or tomorrow.

Under the shed

Into the slings

One of the condos.

We spent the night aboard in the slings.

Our rental car!

Sunrise!

Ending a week at Green Turtle Bay

45 low / 82 high

Yesterday, Wed. ended a week here at Green Turtle Bay. It also marked the end of our slip reservation so we had to move as the new occupants were arriving. The marina has 9 large covered docks as well as several uncovered. We moved out to the far end of #6 which is quite a hike from everybody. Ann solved this by renting a golf cart for 24 hours.

We were by B, the marina office, now on Pier 6

We got the much awaited call that our new seal had arrived just after 5 pm and they will call this morning to set a time to haul the boat. We pray all goes smoothly and we can leave tomorrow. There are so many boats having props or shafts replaced after the run down the Mississippi. There have to be about 20 loopers here now with more arriving every day. We had docktails with a large number of them last night.

Discussing points south.

Why they call this Green Turtle Bay.

Docktails.

Happy fall from Green Turtle Bay

55 low / 77 high

Today the 23rd is the first day of fall. The weather here has been wonderful. Sun. we got up and went to church here on the property only to find that it was closed down for the year. If I hadn't explained earlier, this is a resort community with many condos, a spa, 3 pools, a beach, a yacht club as well as the marina. Things are pretty slow here this time of the year. We went grocery shopping in the afternoon and that night John & Sue got the call that their granddaughter was on the way. Mon. started early with them heading off to Atlanta to see the newborn. A while later the mechanics came down to look at my shaft seal that is still leaking. Verdict is it has to be replaced. It should be here Wed. and hopefully are no problems taking the shaft out and replacing it. Don't know yet what day that will happen. John & Sue plan on being back Thur. evening and hope to depart Fri. Many more looper boats have arrived the last few days. They all have the same stories of the Mississippi as we had and are very glad to be here.

GTB day 3

71 low / 88 high

Still recouping at Green Turtle Bay. Fri. they pulled the alternator and sent it out only to be told that there is nothing wrong with it. So back in it went with no explanation of where the grease is coming from. John & Sue had a rental car so we all went to Paducah for the day. The downtown area is right on the waterfront with lots of old buildings. Yesterday I washed the boat to rid it of the "chocolate milkshake look" from the Mississippi. Ann went to the spa and had a massage which helped her tremendously. Later we watched the Florida gators lose to Alabama.

Patti's from Fri. night.

Room decor?

They have so much space they are already decorating for Christmas.

Lunch. The guy that owns this used to have a restaurant just minutes from our house in Florida.

One of the many houseboats here in the marina.

Green Turtle Bay, Grand Rivers, Ky.

66 low / 81 high                                         3 locks Wed. / 65 total 2014

We left our Metropolis anchorage Wed. morning and never saw Clark Kent or a phone booth. We were lucky as the dams on lock 53 & 52 were lowered so we just cruised right over them. Travel compared to the Mississippi is like night and day. The Ohio was nice and wide and for the most part clean. Once past Paducah we turned on the Cumberland River. This is much narrower and a bit stronger current against us. We past many barges and staging areas in the first miles. Seemed to be the area for loading rocks & gravel. Had one lock to traverse prior to entering Lake Barkley which was just a few miles from Green Turtle Bay. Pulling in here was like an oasis after 3 very hectic days of travel. This is a large marina / resort with a Yacht Club, a spa, and condominiums. They take great pride in their customer service as it's been family owned and run since 1984. Yesterday, Thur., was really a down day for us. I had the oil changed as my extraction pump wouldn't work when I tried it in Grafton, had an alternator pulled to have a new bearing pressed in it. Ann made an appointment at the spa and we had dinner in town with John & Sue at Patti's. They are famous for their 2" pork chops. Ann & John tried the and they were so tender you could cut them with a fork. We paid for 5 nights here then get 2 free.

The Mississippi continues to play havoc with the loopers. There are over 30 boats back at Grafton and more arriving each day. Hoppies, which is the only place to stay because of the distance can only take a maximum of 6 boats a night. Yesterday we got word that a tug boat had sunk between Hoppies and the mouth of the Ohio and the river was closed until they could positively identify where it was and ensure it was not a navigational hazard.  Will try to keep updating daily as we enjoy the warmer and sunny weather.

New lock being built to replace 53 & 52.

Crossing the dam!
 



We met this guy in a turn, we have to go left.



Last lock before Green Turtle Bay.

Doors closing.

The channel into GTB.



BBQ chicken the first night.



Sunrise.