GOLCONDA

Sept. 30, 2010---Beautiful sunrise and calm water. Turned out to be a fine anchorage six miles up river from Old Shawnee Town, IL. First order of business was to sweep and wash May Flies off the boats. May flies! Isn't this the last day of September?

After separating the boats Carl Guthrie finished washing the top of his.

Quest is looking good!

Traveled 50 miles today in 5.4 hours. Turned starboard into the Golconda Marina at mile 902.5 and tied up on their B dock. The Quest arrived about an hour later and tied up behind Dream Manor. Looking from the dock, stairs can be seen that access the bridge over Lusk Creek. That is the walking route into the small town of Golconda.

Ricki and Maryann walked to town looking for a bit of history. Found a sign that said Sarah founded the Town of Golconda orignially called Sarahville. She established the first ferry across the Ohio at this location.

These figures honor the various armed forces.

Lewis and Clark were in this area the fall of 1803.

One of the many old structures in the town.

The ladies indicated there were a few stores, but hardly any were open.

This old saloon was probably a hot spot in its time.

ANCHORED AT 852

Sept. 29, 2010---Backed out from the fuel dock at Inland Marina at 6:30 a.m. Departed early as the two boats that had tied up behind us last night needed fuel. Did not want to hold up their progress down the river.




Athilean is the name on the cruiser facing this way. Trawler facing away is the Quest.






Evansville, Indiana in the morning light.




Sunrise causing a reflection from the water and windows on Dream Manor makes it appear as though a person can see through the boat. Just a mirror image!

Two tugs appearing in the fog. Neither one pushing any barges.

At times the fog was rather thick, but still able to see okay.

This picture taken looking toward the sunny side of the boat made the fog appear even worse. It was certainly much better when it all lifted about 8:30 a.m.

Approaching the mouth of Wabash River. Lots of sand piled along the shore on the Indiana side.

Mouth of the Wabash River. Center of the river is the border between Indiana and Illinois. At times the Wabash flows with great velocity. Lots of sand is deposited as the flow meets the Ohio River. Many dead trees are stuck in the sand.

Continued down the Ohio to mile 852. Made a total of 61 miles today in 6.5 hours. Selected an area outside the green bouys that was suitable for anchorage. Set the hook in eight feet of water at 1:15 p.m. Quest arrived at 5:00 p.m. and tied off to the Dream Manor so we could enjoy eating with Carl and Ricki Guthrie. Had a great evening together.

Looking on a map you would find we are anchored 6 miles up river from Old Shawntee Town, Illinois.

EVANSVILLE, IN

Sept. 27, 2010---Windy day, Dream Manor was shoved hard against the dock with a tight fit between two boats. We felt like a day of rest anyway after the long haul yesterday. Spent some time in the engine room doing a little clean up and maintenance on the primary fuel filter for the port engine. Keith fixed a large batch of popcorn and we spent a lot of time watching movies. Then of course Monday night football has priority over any other activities. It was a good game between Green Bay & Chicago. However Green Bay beat themselves with penalties.

Sept. 28, 2010---Traveled a great distance of 35 miles today in 3.5 hours. Tied up at the Inland Marina fuel dock in Evansville, Indiana at mile 792. (This means we are now 792 miles from Pittsburgh). Took on 426 gallons of diesel. Dream Manor was a little thirsty! First order of business after that was to call Casino Aztec and have the courtesy van come pick us up and haul us to the casino. Lunch at the buffet you know! Spent all we wanted to at the slot machines and returned to the boat. Will continue down river in the morning.

LONG DAY

Sept. 26, 2010---Looked like fish scales in the sky as we raised anchor at West Point, Kentucky.




Got an early start as we planned to make some miles today.





Sun was shining brightly on this spot creating neat colors.





Since there were no signs to indicate crossing the time zone from Eastern to Central. I am sure it took place in line with the tree that has the straight, bare trunk! That is mile 681.3 on the Ohio River. Time line actually follows the river for the next 8 miles. Fully across the line at mile 689.3.



Someone has quite a view from this house perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the river.





Definitly had a big travel day. Covered 127 river miles from West Point, Kentucky to Owensboro, Kentucky at mile 757. Started to feel like an endurance contest. Also had one lock, "Cannelton" at 720.7 miles. Let down 26'. Total 11.6 engine hours. Good thing there was an extra hour of daylight as a result of the time change. Also got more practice docking in the wind.

WEST POINT

Sept. 25, 2010---Changed oil & filters on the main engines. Enjoyed a fine breakfast at River Edge marina. With no wind it was easy to back out from the end of the fuel dock where we were bow forward and parallel to the boat ramp. Bob Conrad and his wife put out a lot of effort for boaters to have a good experience at their marina (502-552-7829)

Someone launched a boat while we were there.

Cruising was very pleasant today. Sunshine and calm water. Went past Louisville to the McAlpine lock at 606.8 mile mark. Went into the small chamber as a tow was entering the long chamber. Since there was half as much water to let out of the short chamber to lower 35' we got out just ahead of the tow. Continued down the Ohio to mile 630 and set anchor across the river from West Point, Kentucky. West Point is located just outside the border of Fort Knox Military Reservation. Town of Fort Knox is located ten miles south of here. Traveled 5.2 hours today and covered 45.4 miles. Not bad for a mid morning starting time.

What a sunset! Red sky at night, sailors delight.

This is the way it should be when anchored for the night.

WILD & WINDY OHIO RIVER

There is an old saying "Red Sky in the morning, sailors take warning." Must be something to that, as contending with the wind today made yesterday seem like just a breeze. One of the readers commented that we got to learn to drive in the wind. Sure got nine hours of practice today.

Markland lock at mile 531.5 had the small chamber out of service doing repair work. Had to wait one hour for a tow to be brought up. Lock master wanted us close to cut in behind the tug to get in the lock quickly. Trying to save time. The strong wind was enough of a problem and then getting into the churning water behind the tug made it plenty difficult to transition into the lock chamber. After getting secure we still had to wait on two smaller boats coming down the river. Went down 35' to the next river level.

Glad to let the two smaller boats rush ahead.

Passed Turtle Creek Harbor marina at mile 529 where we had enjoyed a few days stay going up river.

Passed by Vevay, Indiana at mile 537.5 where the town name is painted on tall pilings.

Had planned to stay at Madison, IN. When we arrived the docking area was quite full. Attempted to dock, they quickly waved us off as all spaces were reserved. Managed to back away in the strong wind without getting into trouble. Found out later the annual Madison Chataqua Festival of Art was taking place this weekend. Must be a major event as we met about 20 boats that appeared to be headed that way. Most boats we have seen traveling on the river for quite some time.

Water was rough all day.

Arrived at Rivers Edge Marina at mile 584.6 and tied off on the end of the fuel dock. Near the community called Charlestown, IN.
Having traveled 78.6 miles in 9 hours we were ready to shut down.

RISING SUN

Sept. 23, 2010---Ron Friend got up early to bid us farewell. He went out to the point to take pictures as we left the marina.






Beautiful morning as we pulled away from the fuel dock.





Making way on the Ohio River.

Another view leaving Manhatten Harbor marina located in Dayton, KY. Thanks to Ron for these photos.

About two miles from the marina is a view of downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.

Great American Ball Park. Home of the "Reds".

Paul Brown Stadium just a short way down river from the baseball park is the home of the "Bengals".

Thought this was a little unique. Fed Ex at river mile 477.6 crossing on the Anderson Ferry from KY to OH.

Made a short stop at Aurora Landing at Aurora, Indiana, mile 497.

Had lunch at the Acapulco Restaurant.

Caught a window shopper in action. Look farther and see Keith moving briskly toward the camera with Maryann trailing behind.

Walked around town looking at the many neat pictures painted on the buildings. The town is mostly in an area about six blocks long parallel to the river and extending back about four blocks.

Continued down the river to Rising Sun, Indiana. Tied up at the courtesy dock for the night.





Huge welcome sign painted on the wall just above the dock.

Grand Victoria Casino is about a mile back up river from the dock.





Keith found Maryann sitting in a large chair. Taking a break on their walk back from the casino.

Sure we went to the casino! Left only a few dollars for Indiana, but had a fine dinner at the buffet. From the fourth level of the casino the Dream Manor can just be seen along with a few smaller boats at the courtesy dock.





Stores in Rising Sun have fall decorations nicely displayed.

Video below was taken just down river from the mouth of the Great Miami River and I-275 bridge. The border between Ohio and Indiana is between the bridge and the river. This is another point where there are three states, as Kentucky lays from the middle of the Ohio River to the south. Traveling in the middle of the river we were surely in all three states at the same time!