Boat trip Lake Michigan to Pickwick, TN

Date: May 27, 2007 Sunday It is less then two weeks before we leave. There are a lot of things to do for a trip of this kind. We will leave from here, Bainbridge to trailer the boat north to Chicago, IL were we will put in at North Point Marina at Winthrop Harbor located forty-five miles north of Chicago.

After we pulled the boat out Tuesday, May 22, we parked it in our drive way to start getting it ready for the road trip, washing down the inside and outside, check the tires, replace if need be, check all the equipment (electrical and battery), pack the things which will be on the boat (food, clothing and such will be packed in the truck until we get to our designation) which will take about five days going to the marina and then taking the trailer and truck to Pickwick Landing State Park which is the stopping point.

This is our fourth trip on the Great Loop; others were (1Bainbridge, GA to Port St. Lucie, FL; 2 Pickwick Landing State Park / Marina to Bainbridge, GA; 3 Wilmington, N.C. to Port St. Lucie, FL.) Some boaters does the trip in one haul, others can only do it in parts like we are. Date: June 2, 2007 Saturday

So far every thing is going ok. It is a lot of hard work to get a trip going and age doesn’t help any either. I remember working from sun up to sun down and not feel too tired, but now it is more like work for an hour or two and rest for four. Ha! Ha!

Growing up both of us has always been around water and loving it even more now. Before the rains came I was able to get the truck washed and waxed. It seems every time I wash the car or truck it rains shortly afterwards. A friend thanks me for watering his lawn for him. Just need to clean the windows and put some rain-x on them. Just three more days before we leave, still have a few small details to finish on the boat and around the house before we go. BHW First Mate DATE: June 6, 2007 DAY: Wednesday TIME: 1600 DEPARTURE PORT: River Oaks Dock (Private) PORT O’CALL: Days Inn, Fultondale, AL NOTES: This is the first leg of our road trip to the marina in Winthrop Harbor, IL. We have the truck and boat packed; all of our check list have been checked and rechecked. Things are taken care of at the house so we are ready for the long haul to IL. Tuesday and Wednesday morning we packed the boat and truck. Left the house around 1615 (OT). At first it wasn’t too bad going, we had a few traffic jams and there was an accident evolving a semi-truck and another vehicle. We are about 89 miles from our stop for the night. We arrived at the Day’s Inn in Fultondale, AL (I have an Aunt and some cousins that live in this area) It has been a very trying day for us all including the dogs. Day Two

We checked out; had breakfast and then left the Days Inn at 0630 (OT). It didn’t take us long to go threw Tennessee. We stopped at the TENN. Welcome Center before we left the state to get some information and maps around 08159(OT).

There is some beautiful country up here and I love the rock formations and the trees. We stopped at the Kentucky Welcome Center around 1120 (OT) to let the dogs out and to stretch our legs too. At Kattwa, KY around 1220 (OT) we stopped at Hucks to fuel up, walk around and to get something to snack on.

The winds have picked up and Gary is having trouble keeping control of the truck and trailer plus when the big semis pass they create even more wind and draw us towards them so Gary has to keep both hands on the wheel and fight the pull. We went through Paducah, KY, we will be coming by here again but on the water.

We saw this cross on the side of the road we were on.

Day Three

Left the Super 8 motel at Mattoon, IL, around 0630 (OT), the wind is still blowing pretty hard, but not the way it was last night. By the time we got to the motel you could barely stand up with out something to hold on to. They said the wind speed was between 30-50 MPH yesterday and 25-30 today. We are about 200 miles from the marina. Around 0815 (OT) we were just south of Chicago, thought we should fill up before getting into Chicago. Better to have a full tank going through the city, which we entered around 0950 (OT). They were doing a lot of road work on the highway it took us a little more time to get through the city.

The Wanderin Ones (fully set up)

We arrived at the North Point Marina around 12 noon (OT); we got checked in and put the boat in the water. The wind was blowing so hard we almost lost Deanna. She was on the pier holding the rope to the boat trying to get it tied and a gust of wind came and almost blow her off the pier. We unpacked the truck of everything put our bags with our clothes. Around 1400 (OT) we started back to Pickwick Park with the truck and trailer were we will end our trip at. We went as far as we could and stopped for the night at a motel in Champaign, IL.

Day Four

Left the motel at 0600 (OT) and are on our way to Jackson, TN to pick up the rental car for our returned trip back to the marina. We stopped in Effingham, IL for breakfast and I called a friend to let them know we made it to the marina ok. We are about 30 miles from the car rental place. Picked up the car and I followed Gary to the park, we arrived around 1500 (OT). We talked with the owners and let them know our plans, parked the truck and trailer, locked them both up after we transfer our things to the car. This is the last leg of the road trip before we start the boat trip. We stop at a Super 8 motel in Effingham, IL around 2050 (OT), we had to have the rental back at 1144 their time the next day.

Day Five

Left Effingham, IL at 0639 (OT) heading for Gurnee, IL were we will leave the car and take a taxi to the marina. Our taxi driver was a friendly guy. He owns a Chihuahua too. Our fare was pretty cheap too. When we got to the marina we put our stuff on the boat and rest for a while. We found out about the trolley that comes to the marina and also goes around the town. We rode on it and went sightseeing, had supper at the local Subway and rode around the town on the trolley after we went to a couple of stores. Winthrop Harbor is a nice quite little town, a nice place to retire to. BHW First Mate

The Beeline Trolley Car and some of the sites around town. TOTAL HRS LOGGED PREV: 19hrs. 45 min. MILES: 2203.2 land miles BOAT NAME: Wanderin Ones GA 9026 MJ DATE: June 11, 2007 DAY: Monday TIME: 0720 (OT)

DEPARTURE PORT: North Point Marina, Winthrop, IL

PORT O’CALL: Three Rivers Marina, Browning, IL

TIME IN: 1800 (OT) TOTAL HRS / DAY: 11 hrs. 20 mins.

TOTAL GALS GAS @ START: 79 gals. SPEED: 16 MPH

PREV ENGINE HRS: 191 hr. 7 m. RESENT ENGINE HRS: 202 hr. 27 m.

FUEL COST / gal: $3.98 TOTAL COST: $ 163.97 GALS: 41.2

PREV MILES: 0 CURRENT MILES: 99.2

DISTANCE TRAVELED / DAY: 99.2 miles

WAVES: 0-1’ WIND SPEED: > 10

NOTES: (OT) = our time

(CT) = central time

The entrance to North Point Marina

Passing on the whistle-You will interact with commercial traffic on a fairly regular basis. Passing a tow should always be discussed on the radio and you will find that the captain of the tow will refer to whichever side he wants you to over take, as passing on ‘the on (whistle)’, or ‘the two (whistle)’ When overtaking (both vessels heading the same way) “See you on the one (whistle)”=overtake on his starboard (your port) “See you on the two (whistle)”=overtake on his port (your starboard) When passing (vessels going in opposite directions) “See you on the one (whistle)”=pass port to port “See you on the two (whistle)”=pass starboard to starboard

Tugs we past today 1. T. E. Ragsdale Tug 2. Mary C 3. Jack Crowley 4. Stephen L. Colby 5. Capt. Roger D. 6. Kiowa Tug 7. Mallard Tug 8. Donna Jean (4 barges)

Some of the buildings in Chicago

Chicago Harbor-a bit of background

In 1833 the construction and improvement of the Chicago Harbor began. The harbor is a 970-acre outer basin, which is protected by exterior breakwaters; they are over 12,500 feet in length. Interior breakwaters, totaling over 6,500 feet in length, protect the 224-acre inner basin. The approach channel is 29 feet deep. In 1938, the Chicago Harbor lock was built; it is 600 feet long and 80 feet wide and has a depth of 22.4 feet at its low pool elevation. It is the gateway to one of the United State’s busiest commercial and recreational waterways. Over 50,000 vessels, 900,000 passengers and 200,000 tons of cargo traverse these gates each year. It is operated by the Metropolitan Sanitary District, and it changes the water level between 1 and 4 ft. (usually 2) and prevents the Chicago River and Sanitary Canal flowing into the lake. In 2002 extensive changes were made to the Chicago harbor area. A large breakwater was added and an opening in another created. TOTAL HRS LOGGED PREV: 11 hr. 20 m. CURRENT: 11 hr. 20 m. BOAT NAME: Wanderin Ones GA 9026 MJ

Day one of the river trip June 11, 2007 Mon

North Point Marina Docks

The Club House on the lake's edge

We were up at 0530 (OT), showered, walked the dogs. Store our gear and made ready for the trip on the lake. We were out of the marina at 0720 (OT) onto Lake Michigan. It is a little chilly this morning on the lake. They said the temperature was 55 degrees last night.

We are headed to the first lock of many we pass through, which is at the mouth of the Chicago Canal about 45 miles away. Heard on the radio that mm 296-297 will be closed until 10 am (CT). It should be open by the time we get there.

We were all so interested in the lake around us that we forgot to keep an eye on the gas gauge and we almost ran out of gas. Because our boat doesn’t have a large tank we carry with us extra gas cans so all we have to do is fill the small tank.

Yesterday we were walking around the marina to check out what they had, Deanna and I were walking by a tree when the wind started to blow and the seed pods started to fall, it look like snow was falling; there were so many seeds pods falling.

Skyline of Chicago

At this one you can live upstairs, park your car down stairs and dock your boat at the river 's edge. Sear building

We are coming up on the skyline of Chicago around 10 am (OT). The buildings were something else and the bridges were awesome. Deanna took a picture of the Trump Building along with several others. Your head need to be on a swivel so you could turn it around easier.

At mm 323.5 the Amtrak Bridge we had to take our antenna down so we could get under the bridge span.

Coming out of the Chicago Canal area

Deanna and I fixed sandwiches for lunch and we ate while going through the canal. So far we have gone under 50 bridges and still have more to go. We passed the Donna Jean tug and 4 barges at mm 309.3. The cicadas were so loud in this area, we were told that they would be thick because of all the rain they had here.

It was difficult to go through mm304 because this is the area where all the tugs and barges moor at. !!BECAREFUL!! We were able to watch the tug operators maneuver the barges around the curves, into slips and such, it was amazing.

Talk about tight areas.

A inside view of one of the many locks

we went through One of the corp of Engineers tug/ barges Called the lock master at 1430 told him were we where and asked what the status was. We arrived at our second lock at 1500 (OT). While we were in the lock we had a visitor come aboard, one of the little birds (swallows) came for a rest on the rail in the back of the boat, could not get to my camera in time. It took us 25 mins to get threw the lock. We made it threw our third lock at 1630 (OT), so far we did well at the locks the most we waited was 45 mins.

Some of the sites you will see on the Illionis River, this one was a long one. We stopped at the Three Rivers Marina, in Browning, IL for the night. The owner had about only 20 gals of gas left before the trucks came the next day to fill the tanks. You paid about $ 0.50 / foot for dockage here, which is not too bad.

It looks like we will be serenaded by the cicadas tonight; they are out in full force around here and in several other areas of the state. The more rain there is the louder they will get. We walked around the park before turning in for the night. BHW First Mate DATE: June 12, 2007 DAY: Tuesday TIME: 0705 (OT) DEPARTURE PORT: Three Rivers Marina, Browning, IL PORT O’CALL: Henry’s Marina, Henry, IL TIME IN: 1530 (OT) TOTAL HRS / DAY: 8 hrs. 25 mins. TOTAL GALS GAS @ START: 79 gals SPEED: 14 MPH PREV ENGINE HRS: 202 hr 27 m PRESENT ENGINE HRS: 210 hr 52 m FUEL COST / gal: $3.76 TOTAL COST: $162.43 GALS: 84.4 PREV MILES: 99.2 CURRENT MILES: 78.29 DISTANCE TRAVELED / DAY: 117.5 Miles WAVES: 0-1’ WIND SPEED: 5 MPH NOTES: Tugs we passed today 1. B Tug (2 barges) 2. Stephen L. Colby (5 barges) [ locked with] 3. M/V Doug Roberts (4 barges) 4. Capt. Elmer 5. Bob Kock (15 barges) 6. COE Tug Channahon [locked with] RDB=Right Descending Bank LDB=Left Descending Bank {when you are going against the current} [when you are going with the current then the RDB would be on you left and the LDB would be on your right] TOTAL HRS LOGGED PREV: 11 hr. 20 mins. CURRENT: 19 hr. 45 mins. BOAT NAME: Wanderin Ones GA 9026 MJ Day Two June 12, 2007 Tuesday We hope to make it to Henry’s Marina located at mm 196.1 RDB if we can make it through the Starved Rock Lock. This morning we were up at 0530 am (OT) and left the marina around 0705 am (OT).

These little ones travel with us always, Poco, Santini and their baby Holly (in the middle) who is having a ruff time this trip.

After we left the Chicago Canal along the river banks in shallow water there are these little rickety shacks. We think they are for duck hunters. We called the Dresden Lock at 0720 (OT) to check on the status, it looks like we will have a longer wait; there are some barges and tug to come through first. Around here you are low man on totem pole. The commercial traffic gets to go first in the locks. While we were waiting for the lock to clear we saw several Canadian Geese with their young and a few deer came to the waters edge to get a drink. The geese are funny to watch, ever time our boat came to close to the young the adult geese would put their heads down and act like they would attack our boat. They all help in taking care of the young ones in the group.

Yesterday and today we have had fair weather, sunny, little cloud cover, temperature in the mid 60’s. After we past threw the Chicago area the winds seem to die down. While we were in the lock the lockmaster told us we would be the last one to go through because the lock would be closed for four hours for repairs to one of the doors that was damaged by a barge when it hit it. As the water was going out you can see where the doors was damaged. Glad we made it threw because we would have had to go back to find a marina to stay for the night. After the lock starting at mm 261.9 RDB there are only private dockage.

The first canal to connect Lake Michigan with the inland water system entered the Illinois River here in Morris, IL. It was dug by hand starting in 1836. It appears as an abandoned canal parallel to the Illinois River in Morris. This 96-mile canal was in use from 1848 to 1860, when trains replaced it. It originally ran from Morris to Chicago via Lockport. At 11 am (OT) we enter the Marseilles lock with the Stephen L. Colby tug and seven barges that we passed yesterday.

Just enough room for us to slide in against the lock wall. They had to let the tug to go out first.

This is the Starved Rocked Lock and Dam the rock is in the middle of the photo in the background. History:

This area has been home to humans from as early as 8000 B.c. Hopewellian, Woodland and Mississippian Native American cultures thrived here. The most recent and probably the most numerous group of Native Americans to live here was the Illiniwek, from the 1500s to 1700s. Approximately 5,000 to 7,000 Kaskaskias, a sub tribe of the Illiniwek, had a village extending along the bank of the Illinois River across from the current park. In 1673, French explorers Louis Jolliet and Father Jacques Marquette passed through here on their way up the Illinois from the Mississippi. Known as “Pere,” the French word for “Father,” Marquette returned two years later to found the Mission of the Immaculate Conception-Illinois’ first Christian mission-at the Kaskaskia Indian village. When the French claimed the region (and, indeed, the entire Mississippi Valley), they built Fort St. Louis atop Starved Rock in the winter of 1682-83 because of its commanding strategic position above the last rapids on the Illinois River, Pressured from small war parties of Iroquois in the French and Indian wars, the French abandoned the fort by the early 1700s and retreated to what is now Peoria, where they established Fort Pimitoui. Fort St. Louis became a haven for traders and trappers, but by 1720 all remains of the fort had disappeared. Starved Rock State Park drives its name from a Native American legend of injustice and retribution. In the 1760, Pontiac, chief of the Ottawa tribe upriver from here, was slain by an Illiniwek while attending a tribal council in southern Illinois. According to the legend, during one of the battles that subsequently occurred to avenge his killing, a band of Illiniwek, under attack by a band of Potawatomi (allies of the Ottawa), sought refuge atop a 125-foot sandstone butte. The Ottawa and Potawatomi surrounded the bluff and held their ground until the hapless Illiniwek died of starvation-giving rise to the name “Starved Rock”

To the left of this picture you can see Starved Rock and the lock is to the right. Arrived at the Starved Rock Lock around 12n (OT), we are about 35 miles from tonight stop. Left the lock at 1250 (OT) and around the 1310 (OT) we saw several dead fish floating in the water. Could not figure out what cause it.

We are about a mile from our stop for the night. When we got there we pulled up to the fuel dock, fill up and pump out. One of the hooks on our front rope broke and the bow started to float away from the dock and towards the rock wall. We had to be careful because the area we were in was the old lock at Henrys’ and there wasn’t much room to swing around. We were endangered of hitting the rocks.

The fuel dock at Henry's Marina Gary and Beverly looking at the lock Marker by the Old Henry Lock"The Henry lock and dam first of its kind on the Illinois River Completed Jan. 11, 1872The locks were last used in 1927"

We were able to get cleared and made it to the dock to tie up to for the night. There is a grocery, drug store and several gift shops in Henry within easy walk. After we made sure everything was taken care of and the dogs were out we walked into town. Had supper at the local Dairy Queen, walked around the town and then went to the grocery store to pick up a few things we needed. We came back by way of the park (it was a very nice one), saw some of the older buildings, there was some unique designs on the buildings.

Park downtown Henry

We came back to the boat, put things away and then we went to look at the old lock walls that was near the marina. This place is not only famous for the old lock, but also for the Henrys’ geese.

Here is a mixture of geese, white, Canadian, and a combination of both.

Afterwards we came back to the boat and ready things for the night and the next day. Each night we go over the maps, check our equipment for the next day use. BHW First Mate

DATE: June 13, 2007 DAY: Wednesday: TIME: 0720 (OT) DEPARTURE PORT: Henry's Marina, Henry, IL PORT OF CALL:MM 73 North of Wilson Island, IL TIME IN: 1705 (OT) TOTAL HOURS:10 hr25min. TOTAL GALS GAS @ START: 89 gals. SPEED: 12 MPH PREV ENGINE HRS: 210 hr. 52 min. PRESENT ENGINE HRS: 221 hr. 17 min. FUEL COST / gal: $ 4.99 TOTAL COST: $ 107.78 GALS: 21.6 PREV MILES: 177.5 CURRENT MILES: 289.4 DISTANCE TRAVELED / DAY: 111.9 miles WAVES: 0-1’ WIND SPEED: <> 5 MPH NOTES: Tugs we passed today 1. Limestone Lady (2 barges) 2. Bill Elmer (20 barges) 3. Cooperative Spirit (28 barges) 4. Atlas (2 barges) 5. R. Clayton McWhorter (15 barges) 6. Gregory David (15 barges) 7. Kelly Lee (3 barges) 8. George King (12 barges) 9. Virginia Ingram (15 barges) 10. Show Me State Tug (15 barges) TOTAL HRS LOGGED PREV: 38 hr. 10 min CURRENT: 48 hr. 20 min BOAT NAME: Wanderin Ones GA 9026 MJ

Day Three June 13, 2007 We were up at 0600 (OT) and on our way by 0725 (OT). Every thing was going good; the weather is great, not too many tugs and barges in this area. We thought we hit a snag or log in the water but did not see any thing when we looked back. Before we could turn around we hit some thing else.

Deanna was able to get a picture of the fish that were hitting our boat. They are call Asian Silver Carp.

We were being attack by fish, yes fish. They were jumping right into the sides of our boat and hitting the pontoons and windows. If I had the window open were I was sitting I would have had a fish in my lap. They were jumping all around us; they were between 1 and 3 feet long. For some reason the fish did not like the sound of the engine and it drove them crazy. We tried to get a picture of them and I think Deanna was able to get some. All of our nerves were on edge by the time we got through the area.

We stopped at the Eastport Marina to get fuel; one of the attendances there told us about the fish and what kind they are. They are called Asian Silver Carp and they can do some damage to your boat and you. The attendance told us of a man who was out fishing and he was knocked out of his boat by one and drowned about a month ago. There were other reports about the fish and were they have broken arms, legs, ribs, and knocking people out of their boats. So we were very lucky that we did not have any damage done to our boat other then a few dents in the sides. Around 1115 (OT) we arrived at the Peoria Lock, had to wait 40 mins before we could lock through. It was 1140 (OT) when we done with the lockage.

Some of the places were saying they had fuel and then when you get there they do not have any. Be prepared to pay higher gas prices ($4.95/gal) just make sure you have enough on board to get you to the next stop.

So far the weather has held out, the first night it was a little chilly for us because we came from temperatures of the high 90’s. We pretty much have the river to ourselves right now. Around 1720 (OT) we pulled up to the Beardstown, IL dock, it is a little historical town We stayed there for a little while but we just did not feel safe, so we decided to try a little island named Grape Towhead Island. Whoops!! I guess we won’t stay here either. As we were going behind the island (which was supposed to be 21 ft. of water) we hit mud and had a devil of a time trying to get out. On top of all that our ignitions switch was messing up. I had to put the distress flag out so someone would see it. The only trouble was just as someone started to come over to help us we got out of the mud and had fixed the switch temporary. I wave to them that we were ok and we headed to the next lock which was the LaGrange our 8th lock and the last one on the Illinois River.

After we left the LaGrange Lock we found another place to anchor off at. It was a nice little sandy beach area at mm 73 just North of Wilson Island. After we got the anchors set and the dogs out for a walk we all settled in for the night. BHW First Mate DATE: June 14, 2007 DAY: Thursday TIME: 0700 (OT) DEPARTURE PORT: MM 73 North of Wilson Island, IL PORT O’CALL: Alton Marina Alton, IL TIME IN: 1500 (OT) TOTAL HRS / DAY: 8 hr. TOTAL GALS GAS @ START: 57 gals SPEED: 12 MPH PREV ENGINE HRS: 221 hr. 17 min PRESENT ENGINE HRS: 229 hrs. 17 min FUEL COST / gal: $ 3.39 TOTAL COST: $ 215.60 GALS: 63.6 gals PREV MILES: 289.4 CURRENT MILES: 393.3 DISTANCE TRAVELED / DAY: 103.9 miles WAVES: 0-1’ WIND SPEED: 5 MPH NOTES: Tugs we past today 1. Miss Mary Ann Tug 2. Senator Stennis Tug (5 barges ) 3. Badger Tug (15 barges) 4. Grafton Ferry 5. Martha Mac (15 barges) 6. Robert B (15 barges) 7. James F. Neal (13 barges) 8. Harry J. Brock (15 barges) TOTAL HRS LOGGED PREV: 30 hrs. 10 min CURRENT: 38 hrs. 10 mins BOAT NAME: Wanderin Ones GA 9026 MJ Day Four June 14, 2007 Thursday We went through the La Grange Lock late yesterday afternoon. Our boat draws about 2 ½ to 3 feet of water and it was lower then that behind the island. We did find a nice sandy beach around mm 73 on the LDB just north of the Wilson Island. We did not have any electric but it was nice because by that time we all were ready for bed. A couple of tugs and barges passed us in the night. One of the tugs had their lights aimed right at us even though we were well off the channel. Our anchors held, we did not move one inch. Deanna took a picture of the tug with all the lights.

One of the tugs and barges that pass

in the early morning hours.

We were up and ready to shove off at 0700 (OT). Our next stop is the Alton Marina in Alton, IL. Around mm 61 there is a landing called Griggsville that looks like a good place to anchor off only if you are a small craft. This morning weather was a little cool, some fog and looks like it may be clear skies after the fog lefts.

Poco (my landlover) said it was too cold for him were is my jacket.

We stopped at Grafton Marina in Grafton, IL to get fuel before we head to Alton Marina. There is a Ferry that runs across the river and back 24/7 just south of the Grafton Marina. Around 1347(OT) we entered the Mississippi and boy there is a lot of turbulence from the two rivers meeting each other.

At 1410(OT) we pass the statue of Our Lady of the River, it was built after the disastrous flood of 1951 as gratitude for the water stopping short of flooding the Village of Portage des Sioux. The statue is 50 ft. tall and every year about mid July the blessing of the fleets is held at the shrine.

Our Lady of the River Statue.

We think this is whats left of the Smallpox Island not sure. This is a view of the Clark Bridge, the marina is just to the left, entarance is past the bridge.

We made it to Alton Marina at 1500 (OT), we were able to get a cover slip and too back in so we could work on the engine. We had our pick of any one of the slips on pier H (which we took slip 20). As we arrived at the slip we were greeted by the local ducks, 6 babies, and about 8 adults. After we took care of things and walked the dogs we feed the ducks. They were so funny; one would come right up to my hand and take the bread. The babies were always hanging around the boat after we stopped feeding them.

We plan to be here for 5 days, on Saturday we will leave and go to Kansas City, MO to visit with our oldest daughter and yougest granddaughter who lives there. The top picture is the same as the one below it but at night.All around the marina were these beautiful pots of flowers.

This is the bridge lite up at night, taken from our boat.

Day Five June 15, 2007 Friday We were able to sleep longer this morning. We will be getting a rental car to use while we are around here and when we go over to our daughters place. Again we were greeted by the family of ducks. This morning they made more noise to get our attention.

We finally got a rental car. Enterprise never called us back and time was getting short. We were able to get one from Hertz Car Rental by the airport not to far from us and the guy even came to pick us up and when we return the car they brought us back to the marina. We went to see the Our Lady of the Snows Shrine.

Our Lady of the Snows Shrine

This is one stautes that you will see as you enter the Gift Shop and Resturant building.

Wish we could have more time to see every thing there. We went to the gift shop, the Station of the Cross, and saw some of the statues that they had around in different places. We stopped for something to eat and then we went to the Hard Rock Café to get a shirt for Gary’s Mom.

The Union Pacific train by the marina.

Day Six June 16, 2007 Saturday Today we are heading for Kansas City, MO to our daughters place. We will stay a couple of days with her. When we got there we visited for awhile and then we went to the Kansas Union Station.

The ceiling and light fixtures of the Kanasa City Union Station.

Marissa our granddaughter digging for bones. Marissa and I are trying to make music with our feet. As you can tell by the ladys face we were not doing to good, but we had fun.

Marissa was having so much fun she did not want to leave. We went sightsee a little while and to dinner and then head back to Melissa’s. Deanna did not get a minutes peace because Marissa wanted her to do everything with her.

Our granddaughter just had to warp one of the dogs up in a blanket and carry her around the house like a baby. Poor Holly did not want any part of it.

Day Seven June 17, 2007 Sunday We got up early, had showers and breakfast before we headed out to the Kansas City Zoo. It was Father’s Day so Gary got in for free. We walked and walked around the different countries that the zoo represents. It was so hot, but the park had areas that you could walk through to get misted. Marissa thought that was so much fun she ran through the mister until she was soaking wet. We came back to Melissa later on Marissa and I took a short nap.

Grandpop and Marissa

The Meerkats are my favorite

Look I found a plane Granny

Day Eight June 18, 2007 Monday We had to leave and head for the marina and Melissa had to go to work, while Marissa went to summer school. I did not want to leave, ( if fact I was crying when we left) we do not get to see them very often and this visit was awful short. We made it back to the marina, dropped the dogs off and our clothes. Afterwards we went sightseeing around the Alton area before we went shopping for tomorrow’s trip.

The Legend of the Piasa Bird.

The original painting existed near this location for hundreds of years and was first described in the journals of Pere Marguette in 1673 as he was exploring the Mississippi River. The original side of the painting is now long gone, but Marquette described the creatures portrayed there in this manner.

While skirting some rocks, which by their height and length inspired awe, we saw upon one of them two painted monsters which at first made us afraid, and upon which the boldest savages dare not long rest their eyes. They are as large as a calf; they have horns on their heads like those of a deer, a horrible look, red eyes, a beard like a tiger's a face somewhat like a man's, a body covered with scales, and so long a tail that winds all around the body, passing above the head and going back between the legs, ending in a fish's tail. Gree, red and black are the colors composing the picture. Moreover, these two monsters are so well painted that we cannot believe any savage is their author; for good painters in France would find it difficult to reach that place conveniently to paint them. (For more info go to http://www.altonhauntings.com/piasa.html)

The information was taken from there.

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A painting on the side of a bluff that portrays a pretty vicious-looking winged creature

Some of the caves under the painting of the bird.

We return the rental car after we had supper. The guy at the rental place took us back to our boat. We made ready for the trip and then settle down for the night. BHW First Mate Day Nine June 19, 2007 Tuesday We were up at 0630 (OT) and ready to leave the dock at 0730 (OT). We called the lock to find out when they could lock us through, the lockmaster said we had 1 ½ hr. wait. So we went back to the dock and waited. While we were waiting we heard another pleasure craft asking for lockage south.

Just before we left the dock for the lock we saw several rescue craft and helicopters plus the EMS, and Fire trucks over in the park between the marina and the casino boat. We had our radio on but never did hear what happen.

We finally was able to get into the lock with two other boaters, one was named “Shorty” the other was behind us so I wasn’t able to get their name. We enter the lock at 0945 (OT) and was out by 1000 (OT).

The small white boat in front of us is Shorty Not far from the lock we enter the canal with much turblenc. Felt like I was back on Lake Okeechobee again. Lake Okeechobee was our first experience with ruff water on our first trip. Shorty’s boat was a small cabin cruiser and it’s the wonder he was able to go through the ruff waters. We will see Shorty again down the river. It was very busy with tugs and barges around St. Louis area. You had to watch out for them for they come at you from any direction and at any time with no warning. We called our 2nd lock on the Mississippi and our last one, they lockmaster at The Chain of Rocks said we will lock with two other boats. “Shorty” was one and the other boat was the same one as before. We left the lock at 1010 (OT) the next stop will be Hoppies. One of the two places to get fuel until you get to the Cumberland or Kentucky Rivers. I think this trip has gotten to the little dog Holly; she won’t eat or drink much water, all she wants to do is sleep.

We past the St. Louis Arch, it is very impressive. We were not able to go up in the arch because of the time. There are so many barges and tug that the waves around here are 2 to 4 feet high. We just passed a tug with 67 barges going north. They have a way of making you feel awful small.

We pulled up to Hoppies Marina / Fuel Barge; which wasn’t easy because the current is very fast and strong her. Shortly after we were dock “Shorty” came up and docked. We talked with them while the attendance was filling our gas cans and tank. They are doing the Great Loop too. The attendance at Hoppies told us to watch out for whirlpools around mm130 and one at mm 84 and to be careful when you go through these areas.

At mm 129.9 we came upon a tug and barges that made a 6 foot wake. What fun that was, trying to get through that area. We decided to go to the Evansville Marina in Evansville, IL at the mm 11 KRM on the LDB on the Kaskaskia River for the night. We have to be at Kidd’s fuel dock by 1000 (OT) to get fuel for our trip down the Mississippi, Ohio, and the Cumberland River tomorrow.

We went through the Kaskaskia lock which is not own by the state. We left the lock at 1600(OT). The marina is about 10 miles up this river so we will have to get up early enough so we can make up for the extra 10 miles so we will be on time at Kidd’s Fuel Dock tomorrow morning. This is the fuel dock that you have to call 24 hrs. in advance and then 1 hr. before you arrived at the dock..

Because there are snags just outside the channel on the Kaskaskia River stay in the channel. It isn’t a very wide channel so be careful and watch the channel markers. Made it to the marina (which is two barges one with a building {bar and grill} on it, the other is the gas pumps and some piers which is close to the shore.

The boat slips are short (lease then 24 ft. long) also the water depth is very shallow. When you are at the boat slips you have to go through the bar and grill to get to the land. While I was walking the dogs I saw something on the hillside. At first I thought it was a beaver. But the more I looked the more I realized it was a ground hog.

We put the canvas covers up and had something for supper. After awhile we get ready to settle down for the night. BHW First Mate DATE: June 20, 2007 DAY: Wednesday TIME: 0635 (OT) DEPARTURE PORT: Evansville Marina, Evansville, IL (on the Kaskaskia River) PORT O’CALL: Fort Massac, Metropolis, IL (on the Ohio River) TIME IN: 1830 (OT) TOTAL HRS / DAY: 12 hrs. 35 min TOTAL GALS GAS @ START: 55 gal SPEED: 20 MPH PREV ENGINE HRS: 239 hr. 27 min PRESENT ENGINE HRS: 252 hr 02 min FUEL COST / gal: $ 3.50 TOTAL COST: $ 210.00 GALS: 60 gals. PREV MILES: 487.7 CURRENT MILES: 654.8 DISTANCE TRAVELED / DAY: 167.1 miles WAVES: 0-1’ WIND SPEED: > 5 MPH NOTES: Tugs we passed today 1. Christopher M. Parsonage (11 barges) 17. D and R Boney (15 barges) coal 2. Michael Luhr (17 barges) 3. Helen Lay (12 barges) 4. John C. Rivers (15 barges) 5. Dennis Hendrix & L. J. Sullivan (30 barges) 6. Christen Brinkop (25 barges) 7. TECO Barge Line (12 barges) 8. City of Vicksburg (11 barges) 9. Lori Johnson (2 barges) 10. Golden Eagle (42 barges) 11. B (2 barges) 12. Richard Baker (15 barges) 13. Strong (1 barge COE [this barge had several people on it]) 14. Ray a Eckerstien (35 barges) 15. Mary Scheal (12 barges) 16. GT (4 barges) TOTAL HRS LOGGED PREV: 48 hr. 20 min CURRENT: 60 hr 55 min BOAT NAME: Wanderin Ones GA 9026 MJ Day Ten June 20, 2007 Wednesday When we woke up this morning we found out we were unable to get off the pier. Remembering we had to go through the bar and grill to get to the land and they were all locked up. So we went back to the boat and left the dock. During the night there was a boat that seems to hang out around the pier with its engine going. It acted like it was checking us out.

It was foggy this morning so we had to be extra careful and stay in the cannel because of the snags we saw yesterday coming in. During the night we where invaded by the Mayflies, some are still hanging on for dear live. Before we could fold the canvases and store them, had to knock them off; those things stink when they are dead especially when the temperature starts to rise. Left the Kaskaskia Lock at 0750 (OT), we are now on the Mississippi River. One thing I know is I do not like traveling on the Mississippi River, it is to turbulence and too many of the logs are just under the surface and by the time you see them it is too late.

When the tugs are going against the current they have to pour on the steam to be able to have control of the barges or they will get away from them which in turn make for a larger wake for the small boats to go through. Going with the current isn’t too bad but when you have to fight the current you need to be alert.

We are about 1 hr. from the Kidd’s Fuel Dock which is the only place to get gas for more then 106 miles from Hoppies. Stopped at Kidd’s Fuel Dock around 1145 (OT), we had the same problem as we did at Hoppies with the current going against you. We did better this time getting tied up to the dock.

We were going to stay tied up to the lock and dam # 53 (N 37 12.06 and W 89 01.097) instead we went by the new Lock and Dam and went over the # 53 Lock before we found a place on the Ohio River just after the # 53 Lock.

This tells you about the four flags that flew over the fort.

It was a boat launch ramp at Fort Massac State Park; you are exposed to winds and wakes. You can walk out of the park and turn south towards the small town of Metropolis. Within a mile you will find town and fast food restaurants, drug store, grocery, Laundromat, shops and restaurants. You’ll know you are in the right town when you see the painting of Superman on the water tower. As we all know, Superman was from Metropolis. A view into the fort next to the dock we stayed at overnight.

Lock # 53 was an unusual lock, during periods of high water, the dam will be lowered and buoys will route you to pass over the dam itself. There is a new lock (The Olmsted Lock) which is currently being built and this one will replace both Lock and Dam # 53 and # 53, should be completed in 2011. When we went by the new dam and lock they looked to be about done with the lock part and were started on the dam part.

This was our 1st lock on the Ohio, the next one will be # 52 and then we will be on the Cumberland River. Tomorrow we will try to make it to the Green Turtle Bay Marina on the Barkley Lake one of the lakes near the Land between the Lakes. BHW First Mate DATE: June 21, 2007 DAY: Thursday TIME: 0635 (OT) DEPARTURE PORT: Fort Massac, Metropolis, IL (on the Ohio River) PORT O’CALL: Green Turtle Bay Marina, Grand River, KY TIME IN: 1315 (OT) TOTAL HRS / DAY: 7 hr. 20 min TOTAL GALS GAS @ START: 79.5 SPEED: 19 MPH PREV ENGINE HRS: 252 hr 02min PRESENT ENGINE HRS: 259 hr 22 min FUEL COST / gal: $ 3.53 TOTAL COST: $ 143.90 GALS: 43.1 gals PREV MILES: 654.8 CURRENT MILES: 706.3 DISTANCE TRAVELED / DAY: 52.5 miles WAVES: 0-1’ WIND SPEED: <5> 5 NOTES: Tugs and barges we pasted today. 1. Hornet and C A Johnson (12 barges) 2. Stephen Foster (2 barges; dredgers) TOTAL HRS LOGGED PREV: 68 hrs 15 mins CURRENT: 74 hrs. 10 mins BOAT NAME: Wanderin Ones GA 9026 MJ Day Eleven

June 21 2007

We enter the last lock for us on the Ohio River. The next lock is the Barkley Lock on the Cumberland. While we were in the lock a tug and barges was waiting at the south gate and one on the shore at the north gate. We just past the Tenn junction and on our way to the Cumberland junction.

Before going into the Barkley Lock and Dam.

We will be staying a few days at the Green Turtle Bay Marina. It is only 47.7 m from here. When you go through the larger port areas you need to be on your guard, because of all the tow traffic. Just as we enter the Cumberland river we came upon the Miss Kris tug and 15 barges trying to make atight turn to get to the Ohio River..

We are stationary at mm 3 near Smithland, Kentucky. Right behind the Miss Kris was another tug and 15 barges; we were able to get by before he started around the curve. Both of the tugs captain said we made the right choice by staying were we were for the first one to past and then passing the second one before he made his turn.

Around mm 10 Gary spotted an eagle on the bank eating the fish it just caught. This will be a short day for us, we will stay a few days to do some general work on the boat. We pulled into the Green Turtle Bay Marina at 1315 (ot).

A view of the marina office (in front of our boat) and the resturant on the property.

We had supper at Pattie's, they came by to pick us up and brought us back to the marina. Tomorrow we may get the courtesy car and go into town to pick up a few things for the rest of our trip.

June 22, 2007

Last night after we had supper at Patti's 1880 Settlement / Restaurant we walked around some of the gardens they had on the back lot. We will explore more today. The restaurant was started by a couple over 30 years ago, the inside was decorated with things from the past, there are several stores (gift shops) and a couple of restaurants.

An old steam tractor next to one of the restaurant at Patti's

The old water wheel is still working.

This is one of the older homes in Grand Rivers.

There are all types of gardens, two places for weddings, and animal form, a miniature golf course and a very huge wind chime that sounds like church bells when the wind blows it. The restaurant also owns another restaurant in town. We found out later that day that you can rent golf carts for a day so we are going to do that tomorrow. We came back to the boat, took the dogs out for a long walk, got our showers and then try to settle down for the night.

Just some of the geese and if you look real close you can see some of the turtles head above water.

June 23, 2007 Saturday

We thought the little dogs needed to have some time out of their coops so we took them with us on this trip.

Today we rented the golf cart and went on a tour of the town Grand Rivers, which is about a mile from the marina. The golf carts are allowed to travel on the roads around town. Went to the camp grounds that are near the Barkley Canal which we will take to get to the tenn river. Went to the local IGA and picked up some things we needed. Came back to the boat, put the things away and walked the dogs, then we went to the Iron kettle for lunch, the other restaurant that Patti's owns.

This is a quite little town where everyone knows every body and the residents feel safe. There are several places that you can stay at whether you come by boat or car. I really liked the camp ground near the canal. They have a weather stone at the entrance to the grounds.

We visited a lot of stores, most were antiques shops, if you love antiques then this is the place. Do not forget to visit the fudge factory the chocolate fudge is out of this world.

We came back to the marina in time to watch the turtles being fedd. Every afternoon around 4:30 pm someone is feeding the turtles biscuits. There a re hundreds of turtles that come and they know what the time is too and some of the turtles have names, such as Scratch, Gorge, Slick, Wounded, Matt, Eyes (he had markings that looked like eyes on his back) , Half-n-half and Greeny.

The turtles knows when it is time for the biscuitts to be in the water for them.

BHW First Mate

June 24, 2007 Sunday

Today we are going to stay around the marina and do some work on the boat, wash clothes, we never past up a change to wask clothes or use the electric when we can find one. Some of the times we will be anchored out and we wouldn't have these things.

I love to see all the boats and some of their names such as, Discontented, Silver Queen, Rag About, Iron Side, After U, Shorty, Silver Lady, One the Way , and His Toy.

We have been traveling in the sme direction as Shorty. They are going to Pickwick and then up the Tenn River, went through a couple of locks with them. One day I would like to travel the Tenn River as far as you can go.

Last night there were a lot of boats and people that came into the marina, all the slips around us were filled. The marina had a wedding, and two family reunions and a reunion for some school this weekend.

Up to this day we have traveled 706.3 miles on the wate and 68 hours and 15 minutes. We have also gone through 16 locks. Tomorrow we will leave and head to Pebble Isles Marina for the night. Maybe ge a car and go into town to look around. There is a Park just down the road (within walking distance) of the marina.

Thought we would have some rain yesterday but it just went around us. We did get a few drops.

Deanna was able to get this shot of the sun setting on the lake.

BHW First Mate

DATE: June 25, 2007 DAY: Monday TIME: 0645 (OT)

DEPARTURE PORT: Green Turtle Bay Marina, Grand Rivers, KY

PORT O'CALL: Pebbble Isle Marina, New Johnsonville, TN

TIME IN : 1200 (OT) TOTAL HOURS/DAY: 5 hr 55 min

TOTAL GALS GAS @START: 83 gal SPEED: 17

PREV ENGINE HRS: 259 hrs 22 mins PRESENT ENGINE HRS: 265 hrs 17 mins

FUEL COST / GAL: $3.43 TOTAL COST: $93.04 GALS: 27.6 gals

PREV MILES: 706.3 CURRENT MILES: 779.2

DISTANCE TRAVELED / DAY: 72.9

WAVES: 0-2 WIND SPEED: > 5

NOTES: Tugs and barges we pasted today.

1. Hornet and CA Johnson (12 barges)
2. Stephen Foster (2 bares; dredgers)

TOTAL HRS LOGGED

PREV: 68 hrs 15 mins CURRENT: 74 hrs. 10 mins

BOAT NAME: Wanderin Ones GA 9026 MJ

Day June 25 2007 Monday e were up at 0645 (OT) and on our way to the Barkley Canal which was not to far from where we were. We enter the Barkley Canal; this is a 1 ½ mile long canal that connects the Barkley Lake and the Kentucky Lake (TN River).

It is overcast this morning and the lake is ruff. We are less then 70 miles from our next stop, Pebble Isle Marina in New Johnsonville, TN.

The village of Birmingham was flooded when the Kentucky Dam was constructed. All that remains of the village are the foundations under water SW of the marked channel. Last night we had some rain which cooled things off. Green Turtle may be famous for their turtles but there are over 100 pairs of Canadian Geese that also live there too, they are in competition with the turtles when it is feeding time. There are several boaters that live there that will feed the geese; in fact one lady uses a 20 lb bag of dog food every day to feed the geese. They gather around her boat every afternoon as if they have a little clock inside of them to let them know.

We ran into rain about 47.7 miles from our stop. Around 0940 the sun tried to come out from behind the clouds and the rain has stopped for now.

Pebble Isles Marina is about 6 miles away, it is located off the Tennessee River at mile 96 RDB. They have gas, diesel, deep water access-15 feet channel depth, covered slips, store, restaurant, 800 foot transient dockage and Courtesy van.

We arrived at the marina around 12 noon (OT), was able to get fuel and dockage for the night. Asked about a courtesy car and when it would be available? The owners told us when we were ready to stop by the store / Green Heron Grill to get the key. They also gave us directions to the town which wasn’t too far from the marina. There was one little detail we did not take in to consideration; the good old country mile theory.

We had supper at the Green Heron Grill. We were all so tired that none of us remember what we had to eat. After supper we looked around the store; purchased three shirts with the marinas name and logo on them. We tried to get a shirts or something from all the places we have dock at. This trip I have been collecting small to medium size stones from each place and I put the place name and town on each one. Not just any stone it has to be something unusual about it. Like the one at Green Turtle Bay, the stone had a turtle shape on the stone so I just added the head and legs to it.

While we were putting up our canvas covers for the night and trying to beat the ran storm one of the sail boats we have seen several times was having some problems, so he pulled into the marina to let one of the workers look at his engine. I guess they were able to fix it because the boat left after awhile. One thing I have notice was that just about every boat has a pet or two or three on board. The one in front of us at the dock has two English Spaniels. I have seen every type of the dog category and even some cats and birds on our trips so far.

The names of boats intrigue me, names such as “Family Tides”, “½ Way There”, and “Second Wind”. The colors of some boats you could not miss seeing them even in the fog, mustard yellow, candy apple red, sea green, and bright oranges. These are not little boats either; they are large house boats and yachts.

I guess it is time to turn in, we are going to get up early tomorrow morning so we can get an early start to our next stop before the afternoon storms hit. The weather has been good, God has watch over us and the other boaters on the waters and have kept us save from harm.

Tomorrow we will head for Clifton Marina at mm 158.5, next stop will be Pickwick Landing State Park where we will put the boat on the trailer and start for home if the weather holds out. BHW First Mate DATE: June 26 2007 DAY: Tuesday TIME:0800 (OT)

DEPARTURE PORT: Pebble Isle Marina, New Johnsonville, TN

PORT O’CALL: Clifton Marina, Clifton, TN

TIME IN: 1410 (OT) TOTAL HRS / DAY: 6 hrs. 10 mins

TOTAL GALS GAS @ START: 71 gal SPEED: 11.6

PREV ENGINE HRS: 265 hrs 17 mins PRESENT ENGINE HRS: 271hrs 27 mins

FUEL COST / gal: N/A TOTAL COST: N/A GALS: N/A

PREV MILES: 779.2 CURRENT MILES: 841.9

DISTANCE TRAVELED / DAY: 62.7 miles

WAVES: 0-1’ WIND SPEED: > 5 NOTES: Today’s tugs and barges 1. Audrey’s Fonts (14 barges) 2. No Name Tug (8 barges) 3. Tinker-Watkins Sand and Gravel Co (3 barges) 4. Jimmy T (1 barge full of sand) 5. Heloise (18 barges) 6. Dredge Tow ( 5 barges) TOTAL HRS LOGGED PREV: 74 hrs 10 mins CURRENT: 80 hrs 20 mins BOAT NAME: Wanderin Ones GA 9026 MJ Day Sixteen June 26, 2007 Tuesday We left the marina around 0800 (OT). After the rains of yesterday we woke up to sun and partly cloudy skies with cool weather for this morning’s trip. Glad we got the canvas tops and sides up before it hit, we had our own fireworks show.

Between mm 96-97 you can see the remains of an old bridge that span the Kentucky Lake at onetime. The bridge must have had to connect the Nathan Bedford Forest State Park (which was in walking distance from the marina) to the west bank of Benton County area.

All along this section you can see the limestone formation which is the prominent type of rocks along the river. In the Hemphrey county area there is the Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge. It looks like a road or walkway on the RDB that connects the islands together. There are the same little shacks set along the shore line here as they were on the IL River. There must be some good duck hunting around here and in IL.

So far we have been on seven rivers, total miles 864.7 miles and a total of 136 bridges we have gone under. Between mm 126-128 there are some beautiful homes. Some seem to hang on the edges of the cliffs.

In other sections of the river the homes look like they were built into the sides of the rocks. Around 1120 (OT) we past the Tinker-Watkins Sand and Gravel (in the middle of the river) Co tug and barges and the Jimmy T tug with one very full barge of sand.

In the begin you feel as if you could go for miles and miles and at the end of your trip you don’t want to go very far. You really don’t get much sleep on a trip like this. There is always something to keep you from getting the sleep you need and that is how accidents happen and some times someone dies. You always have to be on your guarded to watch out for other boaters, debris in the water and when you are near a large city or town you always have to watch out for barges and tugs. And of course when you are in a marina there are the others around you that are night owls, plus the times that you anchor out you will hear the tugs and barges going by at night, on some rivers the tugs run 24/7.

We enter the marina at 1400 (OT), we tied up too a floating pier with two other boats and one pontoon (rental), a cabin cruiser named Failte and a tug named Gallatin. After we got things set up, the captain and navigator both conked out. So I am left here to work on my logs and get the paper work done for the day’s trip.

The rains that were hanging around came down in barrels full, just after we got our stuff done. Some times in our other boat we would get caught in the rain and even if we had the canvases up they leaked so bad you wonder why you even bother.

Tomorrow will be a short day for us it is only 46.2 miles from here. We hope to get the boat onto the trailer with out to much trouble and drive for a ways before we stop for the night.

We plan to drop the boat off at the dealer so they can do some maintenance on it and service the engine before we go home. It is only 54 miles from our house to the dealer’s place. We have had the engine longer then the boat and it will have 276 hrs and 23 minutes on it BHW First Mate DATE: June 27, 2007 DAY: Wenesday TIME:0650 (OT) DEPARTURE PORT: Clifton Marina, Clifton, TN PORT O’CALL: Pickwick Landing Marina, Pickwick, TN TIME IN: 1105 (OT) TOTAL HRS / DAY: 4 hrs. 55 mins TOTAL GALS GAS @ START: 43 gals SPEED: 11-12 PREV ENGINE HRS: 271 hrs 27 mins PRESENT ENGINE HRS: 276 hrs 23 mins FUEL COST / gal: N/A TOTAL COST: N/A GALS: N/A PREV MILES: 841.9 CURRENT MILES: 891 DISTANCE TRAVELED / DAY: 49.1 miles WAVES: 0-1 ‘WIND SPEED: > 5 NOTES: Today’s tugs and barges 1. Thomas R. Vorhott (17 barges) 2. Melissa R. and Shiloh dredge tug (6 barges) 3. OMAR (8 barges) TOTAL HRS LOGGED PREV:80 hrs 20 mins CURRENT: 85 hrs. 15 mins BOAT NAME: Wanderin Ones GA 9026 MJ Day Seveteen June 27, 2007 Wensday I was a little sad and relieved at the same time; this is our last day on the water. Our destination is Pickwick Landing State Park where we have our truck and trailer parked. Up at 0650 (OT) had the gear stowed and were ready to head out. It is overcast this morning and of course it is always cooler on the water then the land. We have traveled 892.01 miles (on the water), 85 hrs and 15 minutes, land 2203.2 miles, went through 15 locks, under 136 bridges (most or which were in Chicago) and have past, or locked with 35 tugs and 419 barges and all four of our trips we have logged 6177.4 miles.

Other then a few afternoon rains storms (one or two were bad), no mishaps, and some damage done to the sides of our boat from the Asian Silver Carp that attack us on the IL River, being stuck in the mud by an island we had a very enjoyable trip.

Between mm 160 – 165 you will see some beautiful homes with nice scenery, in fact all along the five rivers we have traveled you will find some unique rock formations, and unusual sights. At the 170.2 mm there were two guys sitting on the rocks fishing, one was propped up a rock that looked like a large chair, the Lord had his in sculpturing that piece.

I do not care how many times I see the tugs and barges, I am amazed at how they handle them, especially when they take the tight turns and twist of the rivers they make it look so easy. While we came into the mouth of the Cumberland River there were two barges that had to make very tight turns. It was awesome to watch them I almost forgot to watch what I was doing.

The sand and gravel dredging barges are anchored in the middle of the channel so you have to go around them. Always be prepared for other boaters or tugs and barges coming your way. You can tell if a barge if full or not they seem too increase in size when empty.

Each area on the rivers has a team of tugs and barges that will work only in certain areas, and then there are those that travel between the large cities.

Ever since we left the Clifton Marina this morning there has been these RV parks, cabins, and some private homes so close to the river. I had my turn at having too moved every thing when the water would rise around our homestead. We use to live on the Flint River in Mitchell County GA, I was so tired of packing or moving these up to the second floor or attic. One year it made no different what we did, the water kept rising and rising until both downstairs and upstairs were under water along with every thing we stored. Our home was already built 5 feet off the ground so that made it to be 22 ‘ above the river. These people have a better chance to move without to much trouble.

We past the Elly Lane and she was pushing 15 barges full of coal, also on our right (LDB) is the Shiloh National Military Park and visitors center. Shiloh National Military Park honors the Civil War battle that was fought here in April 1862, were more then 23,000 men died there. There are also some abandon cabins what you would call fixer uppers. About 11.2 miles from our last lock and then the marina, the sun finally came out and very little clouds in the skies.

Gary is trying to get the lock master to see what the statues is on the lock, he said it would be a little while because he had a tug and barges in both locks heading north. These tugs and barges can make you feel mighty small when you are in the lock with them.

Finally the lockmaster called us and said for us to use the big lock I mean BIG!! While we where waiting we took down the tops and got them ready to store away or tie down. I was also able to get a video of the tug and barges that was in the lock before us. It was something else to watch, the tug captain pulled the 18 barges out of the large lock, let them go (on their one speed), move around to the back of the barges and waited until the barges moved enough for him to get behind them and tie off. Some of those ropes are bigger around then my arm, don’t think I could handle them day in and day out.

We were told to use the main lock bay which is very tall and long. We left the lock at 1050 (OT) and are headed to the marina. We will take the boat out of the water and travel by land for the rest of our trip. Will go as far as we can and then get a motel for the night and then we will head for home.

Pulled into the marina around 1105 (OT), was able to get the boat onto the trailer, which was very hard to do. It has a bad habit of not going onto the runners well, especially the back end of the pontoons. We need to have something to guide the pontoons onto the runners with out pulling the back end with a rope.

We unloaded the boat, took the dogs for a long walk (did not know when we will stop), put the gear into the truck and was heading out of the gates of the park at 1210 (OT) Home here we come, it is always nice to go away for awhile, but it is nice to get home too. BHW First Mate This not the end of our trips, captain is already planning trip number five.