DAMAGE

May 31, 2010---Expecting to travel 60 miles or more today, we got an early start. Left Kentucky Lake Marina at 5:30 a.m. As we approached the lock several attempts were made to contact the lock controller both on the radio and telephone. Never did get a response. There were 2 tows that appeared to be waiting for the lock. So we decided to go back up the Tennessee River about 3 miles and take the 1.5 mile Barkley canal that crosses the land between the lakes. Arrived on Lake Barkley which is on the Cumberland River. went past Green Turtle Bay Marina and into the Barkley Lock with no waiting. Lowered down 57' and proceeded down the Cumberland River 30 miles to the Ohio River. It was 10:30 a.m. with plenty of time to go up the Ohio some distance. Then it happened, about 1/2 mile from the turning point into the Ohio. Hit an underwater obstruction really hard. There was a loud thud which caused damage to the prop and broke engine mounts on the starboard engine. Fortunately the port side was okay. Turned around and slowly made way back to Barkley lock at 5 mph on the one engine. It was a long six hours. The lock master was very cooperative and had the gate open with a green light allowing entry into the lock. A smooth 57' lift and Barkley Lake was in view. It is less than a mile to Green Turtle Bay Marina. Having called the fuel dock on the phone, personnel were available to help tie the Dream Manor securely in a slip. It has been a very long day having travel about 70 miles.

MEMORIAL WEEKEND

May 29-30, 2010---looking down the walkway to and from the fuel dock at Kentucky Dam Marina all of the rental boats and PWC are in use. What a busy area! Great opportunity for people watching.

Busy time for the Coast Gaurd and Water Patrol. They were making sure the boaters operated in a safe manner.

A few boats had to be towed in due to engine problems.

Just at dark a few boats passed by showing off there decorations. The sailboat had a banner advertising the Grand Rivers Chamber of Commerce while displaying "Uncle Sam".

STARTED-NO GO

May 28, 2010---Departed marina and traveled out the entrance between the rock breaker walls. Marked by a large anchor on top of the wall. looked back and took a picture of the fuel dock. Crossed the Tennessee River to the Kentucky Lock & Dam. This very busy lock had three tows in front of us which would take five hours or more. Waited an hour and decided to return to the marina for the weekend.










Kentucky Dam Marina has a fine supply of rental equip. Several PWC are available.

Pontoon boats and ski boats are for rent as well as tubes and waterboards.

There is a fleet of Summerset House boats for rent.

COMPUTER

May 27, 2010---Spent the day catching up on computer work. Not sure "work" is the correct word. Studying Ohio River charts and making plans. Mostly doing Sudoku puzzles.






Lighting is not so good in this picture, but if you look real hard the "Dream Manor" can be seen way out on the end of the dock.

KY DAM MARINA

May 26, 2010---Left Paris Island Park and traveled 43 miles to
Kentucky Dam Marina in 5.2 hours. Yes we are in KY near Gilbertsville. The marina is located on the LDB (left decending bank) of Tennessee River off mile marker 23.




After checking in at the fuel dock we went to the marina office to get keys for the courtesy van.

Drove over the Tennesse River and got a view of Kentucky dam and lock. Went to Green Turtle Bay Marina to purchase an Ohio River chart.

Folks at that marina probably wondered what the van with Kentucky Dam Marina labels was doing there.

Looking at the lock. Coal barges are being pushed into the chamber to lock up into Kentucky Lake. We will be coming down through this lock in a couple of days when we get ready to start up the Ohio River.

PARIS ISLAND MARINA

May 25, 2010---Maneuvered over to the fuel dock at Pebble Isle and took on 182 gallons of diesel. Pumped out the holding tank and made final preparations to depart. It was a wonderful week and we are going to miss those famous "Cinamonn Rolls". Thanks to all the staff for great hospitality.

Look out the window and see where we are now!

Having traveled down the Tennessee River for just 30 miles the "Dream Manor" is tied up at Paris Island State Park Marina.

New friend Sam Taylor and his faithful companion "River" are coming up the ramp in front of the marina office.

Sam made arrangements for a park ranger to pick all of us up and transport us about a mile to the State Park restaurant.

Tuesdays are Crazy Chicken night. The buffet was great with chicken prepared in various ways. Dessert was quite good also!

Futzhugh bridge can be seen from the marina where State highway 79 crosses the Tennessee River.

We sure enjoyed Sam's company at dinner. He is well known as the "River Rat" which is the name of his one-of-a-kind pontoon boat. With a canvas cover over part of the boat he has created living quarters. He has been at home on this boat with his faithful companion "River" for a few years. With heavy heart he is selling this boat and graduating to a larger boat.

SLIP ALIGNMENT

May 24, 2010---Big day at Pebble Isle Marina. The boat slips that moved out of position during the flood waters were pushed back in place.




A crane was used to hold the walkway in position while the slips pivot at that point.





Workmen lifted all the spuds (approx 28) to allow the boats and slips to move.


Workboats were used to move the entire structure back away from the office and fuel dock.

Marina personnel began to relax as the task was nearing completion.
They have been very anxious to get this job done to accommodate the boaters.

The marina seems much larger with these slips moved back. Spuds were dropped to secure the structure.

Look at the videos below to see the slips begin to move and then get farther away from the fuel dock. View the bottom one first.

REGISTRATION

May 23, 2010---Put registration numbers on the dinghy.
I am sure the river authorities will be proud of us. Saw a Wildelife Resources boat checking the area just before dark.


Nice warm day for a ride. Left the marina and crossed the Tennessee River to explore the shore line for a couple of miles.




The davit really works great to lift the dinghy for hauling on the Dream Manor.

About a mile down river from the
Johnsonville Power plant is a row of concrete structures. They are off the main channel creating a barrier to keep barges from entering shallow water. Also used as a collection area in case of run away barges. Looking inside the concrete barriers made an interesting picture.


Johnsonville Fossil Plant burns coal to create the steam which drives turbines to spin the generators. The plant generates about 550 million kilowatt hours of electricity a year, enough to supply 400,000 homes.

At day marker 95.6 a large Osprey nest can be seen on top of the structure. The bird is looking out from inside the nest. Getting too close caused her to fly around guarding the area. Quickly returning to the nest, very likely sitting on some eggs.

For information the 95.6 on the day marker means it is located 95.6 miles from the mouth of the Ohio River.

Keith looks happy to be out on the water.