Ann (Duchess) - Jocelyne (Blue Max IV) - me (Tadpole)
shirts are a gift from Ann

looking at Blue Max and Duchess at Swallow Bluff anchorage Sept 26

beauty of anchoring - Kelly's Island

Tadpole at Swallow Island

our anchorage at Kelly's Island on Sept 25







Kentucky State Penitentury



The weather continues to be hot, cooling off a little overnight. However, we have been so blessed with just the most perfect weather the entire trip that we try not to complain too often about the heat. We’ve had very little rain to contend with while underway, very few rough travel days. We have been prepared, but not anxious, to experience fog, storms, rain. I hope my training in those areas will have to wait for many days to come.

Tuesday, Sept 21 Location: anchored in Lake Barkley on the Cuberland River - no internet access –

We left Green Turtle Bay Marina in Grand Rivers, Ky and anchored in Lake Barkley on the Cumberland River across from the Kentucky State Penitentiary for the night, backtracking the next morning and crossed over to Kentucky Lake on the Tennessee River.

KKWe will continue along the Tennessee River for approximately 215 miles to Pickwick Lake. This is near where the states of Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama join. There we plan to rent a car and drive to Memphis and visit Elvis Presely’s home at Graceland.

Having made such good time on our trip, we are going to add a side trip and continue on the
Tennessee River to Chattanooga. It will be approximately 250 miles each way over and back.
Other boaters that have taken the river all the way to Chattanooga say it is beautiful and this time
of the year the leaves changing colors will add to the beauty.

This route will have us returning to Pickwick to continue south on the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway (known as the Tenn-Tom Waterway) and the Black Warrior-Tombigbee Waterway to Mobile, Al.

Wednesday, Sept 22 Location: anchored at Duncan Bay in Kentucky Lake on the TN River
                           - no internet access –

Thursday, Sept 23 Location: anchored at Panther Bay in Kentucky Lake of the TN River
                           - still no internet –



Barbie getting cooled off



The scenery has been awesome; there is color coming to the trees, slightly more each day. Our travel days have been short lately, leaving our anchorage at about 9 or 10 in the a.m. and arriving at our next one 3 to 4 hours later. We have had plenty of time to just chill and, of course, each stop includes some time in the water. With the temperatures in the 90’s, even Bear and Barbie have been in the water with us for some “cool-off” time. Richard holds them in the water up to their neck and, with it being so hot, they really seem to look forward to it. Our thermometer has been reading 98 outdoors and 96 indoors.

Friday, Sept 24

We did start out early this morning, however, at 0700 as the weather forecast for today calls for 15 – 20 knot winds gusting to 25. Rain expected. We stopped at Pebble Creek Marina (mile marker 96) for the night. We have 2 boats with us at this time – Blue Max IV (we’re together all the way home, then they will continue on), and Duchess (we’re hoping they travel with us as well. We’re trying to talk them into going to Chattanooga with us.) 

We will soon meet up again with Recovery Room whom we had met in Chesapeake City, Md while at Green Turtle Bay Marina. They needed some boat maintenance and had to wait for a part…they will meet up with us again soon.

Saturday, September 25            Location:  Pebble Isle Marina (mm 96)

Never got more than a drop of rain,  but it is a bit cooler this morning.
It was "cloudy" last night; therefore could not receive and satellite signals , but, finally, this morning - success.  We should be leaving the marina soon so will add as many pictures as I have time.
Please be patient.

Sunday, Sept 19, 2010 Location: Green Turtle Bay Marina, Grand Rivers, Kentucky

We have been without a computer for almost a week. I said yes to something I should have said no to and I was locked out entirely. Therefore, the delay to any updates to the blog (and everything else I do online). Fortunately for me, one of our boater (looper) friends offered to take a look to see if they could help, and after several hours, corrected the problem. She has not had to worry about her wine glass being empty!!!!! I can’t thank her enough.

We arrived here, at Green Turtle Bay Marina, in Grand Rivers, Kentucky on Thursday, Sept 16 and are staying until Tuesday, the 21rst (first day of Autumn). Seems like most of the loopers stop here for R and R on their way south. We’re spending time swimming, resting, doing nothing, cleaning the boat, doing laundry and grocery shopping (what’s new) and just “stopping”. Feels good to not be on the “go” for a change.

My same computer savvy friend was also a hairdresser in her past life and gave me a much needed haircut and I now have short hair again – no more long hair for me – ever!

Our last week’s travels took us south to the end of the Upper Mississippi River and onto the Ohio River

where we lost our 4-5 knot pushing current that we had enjoyed on the Mississippi.

Cruising the Mississippi was so enjoyable to us and so different than the other waterways that we have traveled on. There were boiling swirls in many of the turns we made making maneuvering challenging, and tugs with many barges – up to 40 at a time. As we approached each one, we would contact them by radio and request passing or overtaking instructions, sometimes carrying on friendly conversations.

the Mississippi swirls

Captain Richard has been at the helm most of the time; his legs and feet tired from standing and manually steering around the numerous logs and debris on the Mississippi. We’re reminded of two boats that have travelled with us that have damaged propellers when coming in contact with the debris, making us extremely cautious. No marinas and few places to anchor have added to the excitement of travelling on the Mississippi.

Since leaving Lake Michigan, we have passed through Illinois, Missouri, Ohio, and are now in Kentucky.

Now that I once again have the computer, will keep the posts more current.

Saturday, September 11 Location: Kaskaskia Lock and Dam

We have left the Illinois River and are now traveling the Upper Mississippi River with a nice 4 knot
current pushing us along at a higher speed. (great for fuel economy).

Hoppie's Marine Services

We docked at Hoppie’s Marine Services, last night, which is home to Captain and Fern Hopkins who have carried on his father’s tradition of helping guide boater’s traveling through with their “briefings”. The marina is not much more than a few barges hooked together, but they are so knowledgeable and willing to share any info they have that most “loopers” make this stop a must.

We will travel on this river for 218 miles to Cairo, where it joins the Ohio River. Anchorages and fuel stops on the Upper Mississippi are scarce to non-existent. We are sure to encounter some challenges

along the way with the increased barge traffic on the Mississippi and the questionable anchorages.

our dockage at Kaskaskia Lock and Dam

Tonight we are tied to a lock wall for the evening…no facilities, but very happy to have a wall to tie up to for the night..tomorrow we will travel about 50 miles and hope the anchorage area we have selected there is suitable to the wind and current we will have.

Again, we have another beautiful weather day. The nights are slowly beginning to cool down.

Thanks for keeping in touch with us.  To know that you are following us keeps us on our toes and gives us warm fuzzies. (can u tell it's time for me to hit the hay!  good nite.)