More hot days!

Marc had a chance to check his new iPhone “Anchor Watch” app last night. He had it set for 80 feet, and it went off in the middle of the night. We had not dragged, but were swinging pretty good with the combination of wind, current, and wakes from the numerous tows going past.

This mornings sunrise was as pretty as last nights sunset.

When we were at Hoppies, Fern was telling us about a gentleman who had been by the day before. He was in a small house boat, and was using a small outboard “kicker” to steer  with while he drifted down the river.

He figured the fuel consumption would be better than running the big engine, and he wasn’t in any hurry. Fern said he was going to meet up with his father in Cape Girardeau.  We passed him the next day near the Kaskaskia River, and again near our anchorage Friday night. He must travel 24/7!

The other day we told you about bend weir dykes.  Well - we now call them “Washing Machines”. That's what the water looks like - all swirls like a washing machine, and if you’re not careful, they will “wash you”! Now - put not one, but TWO tugs pushing a full load of benzine, in a tight corner, right over a washing machine. We waited a while until they were through, but the 5’ rollers were still there! Oh well - the stateroom needed a good cleaning. We had the deck hatch, and the two small side ports in the hull open. It sprayed water through the starboard side port, and all the way to the head! It really wasn’t all that bad. We had the back canvas down, and laid over the bed. 

The river systems always amaze me.  How the Army Corps engineered the lock and dam system is absolutely incredible!  Today, on the Ohio river, we had the opportunity to see a lock and dam being taken apart, and a new lock and dam being installed. The Corps is building a new lock and dam on the Ohio river, below lock 53, to replace locks 52 & 53. The picture to the left is the new lock. We think the metal structures on land are the dam gates. Lock 53 has been virtually eliminated. The lock structure is still there, but the dam is gone. They had green buoys laying on the abandoned lock walls. Lock 52 is still operational, but looks the worse for wear. 

The fourth day today with the temperatures over 100 - DAMN HOT!!  Tonight we are anchored with Marcs Ark at the Cumberland River Towhead. After a long nine hour hot day, we all took a much needed dip.

Tomorrow we have an easy 30 miles to Green Turtle, where we will stay for seven days to kick back, provision, and set out on the next leg of a trip that has so far proven to be every bit as wonderful as we had anticipated.

Wish You All Were Here!

Captn Ken