Ohio
We left the Little Diversion inlet anchorage on the morning of Friday, Sept. 6, and soon said goodbye to the Mississippi River and hello to the Ohio River. The picture below shows where we are about to make the turn onto the Ohio going left around the bend.
The following picture is looking back at the Mississippi after making the turn – with “Til You Can’t” in the distance.
Hit one of the ever-present sticks floating in the water just before this picture. Looked at it like the last little bit of love from the Mississippi! It was small, and there is no vibration from the propellor, so all’s well.
The Ohio is wide but shallow in comparison to the Mississippi. We are now traveling upstream, so we’ll make slower progress, but we’re only on the Ohio for about 60 miles. The current this time of year is about one knot. For some reason, there is a much greater amount of dead carp floating in the Ohio as compared to the Mississippi or Illinois rivers. The other striking thing is that the water looks so much cleaner (despite the dead fish!), even immediately upon making the turn into the Ohio.
When we asked the Olmstead Lock Lockmaster if we could lock through prior to a tow on the way, he responded, “Bring it on up here.” Because we were able to lock through in such a timely fashion and didn’t have to anchor near the lock for the night as planned, we had to either find an anchorage on the shore of the Ohio or go all the way to Paducah that day. The group chose to anchor: “Delta Blues,” “Til You Can’t,” Bo-lin,” Patti Anne,” and “2nd Chance.”
There was a small boat dock nearby, so we were excited that we might be able to take the dogs to shore with some ease if, in fact, it was a public access dock. There were no signs on the dock or on the back of what appeared to be a restaurant further up the hill. Ron from Delta Blues ended up calling and determining that it was indeed a restaurant (called Due South), they were open (for only six weeks at that point), and would pick our group up at the bottom of the hill and bring us to the restaurant! Very nice people and delicious bbq! The owner told me the restaurant which is in Grand Chain, IL, is right across the river from Monkey’s Eyebrow, KY. Unique name.
Pictured with Dennis below are Pat and John from “Patti Anne” and Betty and Ron from “Delta Blues” standing in front of Due South. We posted a “shout out” about Due South bbq on the America’s Great Loop Cruiser’s Association forum.
That evening, had an informal sunset inflatable gathering on the river.
Headed to Paducah, KY, the next morning, Sept. 7. Saw some sort of operation on the river. Dredging?
We arrived in Paducah in time to catch the farmer’s market. Fresh food!
The Paducah dock (left; taken on shore from top of ramp/walkway) is quite the structure, built to withstand severe flooding. The photo (right) of the incline of the ramp from the dock gives you some idea of the elevation of shore in comparison to the dock.
Though the town is at a much higher elevation than the river, there is still a wall built around it in the event of rising flood water.
Below is a picture taken from in town looking back toward wall, beyond which (and below) is the dock and river.
Left picture below shows the channel and notches into which a flood gate is lowered and positioned by a crane when necessary. Picture on right shows records of various years’ flood levels.
Paducah is a nice little town and home to the National Quilt Museum. While I didn’t tour it, I did see the “quilt” below in the lobby. It is completely made out of wood. I had to touch it to make sure, as it even shows the “stitching.” I then saw the large do not touch sign. Oops.
Went to dinner with the other Loopers with whom we’ve been traveling plus Steve, a Looper that got here today also. Steve’s boat is “Worth the Weight,” and a friend of his, Mike, came along to dinner, as he is onboard for a few weeks. Like Pat and John from “Patti Anne,” Steve keeps his boat at Burnt Store Marina in Punta Gorda!
Below is nighttime picture of the dock at Paducah and of our last night on the Ohio River. Tomorrow, we’re on to the Tennessee.
