Fulfilling Dreams: Green Turtle Bay, Grand Rivers, Ky.

Friday, September 19, 2014

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.