September 2023 Summary

 Below is our Nebo log for the month of September along with numbers from our ships log. The majority of the month was spent in Hammond Indiana waiting for the Locks to open south of Chicago. 

Main Hours	Gen Hours	Fuel Used	GPH Average	Miles	NMPG Average
18.8	0.0	45	2.39	121.4	2.70

August 2023 Summary

 Below is our Nebo log for the month of August along with numbers from our ships log. You will notice some gaps in our track due to our Nebolink not auto starting every time. I am not sure of the issue but think it may be a weak signal. Please comment if you have had similar problems. 

Main Hours	Gen Hours	Fuel Used	GPH Average	Miles	NMPG Average
79.2	60.0	170	1.22	413.4	2.43

Green Turtle Bay to Cuba Landing Marina

We started our way to Green Turtle Bay on the Cumberland River about 8:30 Tuesday morning.  We only had 1 lock to go through before getting to Green Turtle Bay, but unfortunately we had a 2 hour wait before we could get into the lock....getting into Green Turtle Bay just before dark.  

The resort is really nice and we are happy to have a home port to enjoy before the next leg.  We ended up staying 3 nights, doing all the normal stuff.....laundry, cleaning, wash the boat and waiting on a couple of packages.  We also enjoyed hanging out with fellow loopers.  In fact, two of the boats we were traveling with crossed their wake and complete their loops in Green Turtle Bay.  We all met at the tavern to celebrate their accomplishment with them.  

Cool pic of Willy next to an old Mt. Dew sign in Grand Rivers, the little town close to Green Turtle Bay.  

We left the marina Friday headed to an anchorage for one night and then to Paris Landing State Park for a dock in time to watch the OSU game Saturday.  We anchored in Ft. Heiman Cove.  We were the only boat there and the it was beautiful.  Two bald eagles flew around and landed in the tree next to the boat.  Still too far for a good picture with our phones, but it was really neat.  

Saturday morning we pulled anchor and started our short ride to Paris Landing marina.  We got settled and ready for the OSU vs Penn State game that started at 11.  It was a fun game, especially since OSU won!  GO BUCKS!

After the game we walked around the state park and found a Birds of  Pray Aviary.  They had 2 Barn Owls, a Great Horned Owl and a Black Tailed Hawk.  They were injured and not able to survive in the wild so they were taken in by the ranger station in big outdoor covered cages, between the ranger station and the edge of the woods.  I loved being able to see them up close, especially the Great Horned Owl. So big and those eyes are amazing!   

Sunday morning we were on the move again.  We were headed to an anchorage called Richland Creek.  On our way we spotted another eagle, this time we got to watch him catch a fish!  It's strange, but we expected to see a lot of eagles while in Canada, but as it turns out, we've seen so many eagles in the rivers from the Illinois all the way through Tennessee.  What a treat!

We also spotted a hawk trying to catch a snack from a flock of small black ducks with white beaks....they didn't want to fly and kept diving under the water to get away from the hawk.  Good thing we came along when we did because the hawk decided to move on.  

Monday morning we were up and moving to our next stop on the Tennessee River.   

What a beautiful sunrise! 

We got into Pebble Isle marina where we stayed for 2 nights.  It was pretty shallow, but we still had a foot of water under us.  

As a special treat, each morning the marina delivers fresh cinnamon rolls to transient boaters....right to your boat! Yummy! 

We also spotted a flock of white pelicans!  

Monday afternoon we had the opportunity to explore the site of the Johnsonville Federal Military Supply depot.  Back in Nov of 1864, the depot came under fire by the Confederate army for supplies.  In an effort to prevent the overtaking, the Federals set the depot on fire.  Damages totaled over $2 million.  The next morning the Confederate army bombarded the depot, destroying a great amount of what was left of the depot.  

The sunrise Tuesday morning from Pebble Isle Marina. 

Wednesday we headed to our next stop Cuba Landing Marina in Bakerville, TN.   We were there for 2 nights, leaving on a gray Friday morning.  

Coming to Cuba Landing Marina. 

Grafton to Paducah, KY

Thursday afternoon we left Grafton on the Illinois River and started our way down the mighty Mississippi!!  We had no locks and only 14 miles to get to Alton Marina.  It's another warm sunny day...but the wind has picked up and we have seen gusts up to 26 knots.  

It is amazing how quickly the landscape changed from flat lands to bluffs on the IL side. 

We got into Alton and had plenty of time to clean up and head over to Argosy Casino for a little early evening entertainment. 😉

Friday morning we woke up to a gray and windy day.   We had two locks and 44 miles to Hoppie's  Marina, which is simply three barges tied onto a high stone cliff with cables.  On the way to Hoppie's we went through St. Louis passing the Gateway Arch!  We got into Hoppie's at 2:30 and it was time for a little nap.  It's Friday the 13th so we ordered a pizza that was delivered to the marina and watched a scary move called Babadook.  It was pretty good.....scary with a good storyline.   

Heading into the Mel Price Lock, our first of the day. 

Passing the St. Louis Gateway Arch

Approaching Hoppie's

Tied up on the barge in Hoppie's

Bill attended Hoppie's daily river briefing while I took Roxie for a walk.  Look! Roxie and I found Mater!

 

Saturday morning we left Hoppie's at 7 for a short 4 hour run to the Kaskasia Lock where we anchored for the night.  It was a dreary day with with pretty good winds.  We decided on a short run because we wanted watch the OSU football game.  Now that the mast was back up we can also get the dingy down and so some exploring and get Roxie to shore.  

Roxie got to shore, but there wasn't a whole lot of exploring to do.  We ended up going to bed at 7.  

Sunday morning Bill was up at 5am and made a hearty breakfast of sausage gravy and biscuits.  We had originally planned on a 65 mile run today to Diversion Channel to anchor, but being that we made good time with the current, we decided to push on to the Boston Bar anchorage another 45 miles

We arrived at 5:3, set the anchor and got Roxie up to the sandy shore as the sun was setting.    

The Diversion Channel, which we decided to pass and keep going.

There's a tug boat in all that rubble!

Anchored at the Boston Bar Anchorage.   Yep, as you can see we were in the river, in 3 knots of current, hiding from the barges behind a bridge support column. 😕

Monday morning we were off early again to finish up the last leg on the Mississippi River and start our trek against the current on the Ohio River.  We had to anchor and wait for the Olmstead Lock for about an hour and a half.....from what were hearing it wasn't a bad wait.   We are headed to Paducah, KY where have hope to stay on the town dock.   

In the Olmstead Lock

We made it to the Paducah town lock to find there was no room for us!  They did say that if we found someone that would let us raft off of them, the would allow it.  After doing some checking, the crew on Dove kindly let us raft off of them.   

Dinner at Doe's Eat Place.  That steak fed us for 4 meals!  LOL!

Coming back to the boat after dinner.

Tuesday morning we left Paducah early and started our last leg on the Ohio River to the Cumberland River where we have reservations at Green Turtle Bay Resort.  Looking forward to staying put for a couple of days.  

Ottawa to Grafton

Sunday we were up at dawn to start the next leg to the Peoria Town Docks.  We only had one lock and covered 68 miles.  Most of our flotilla stayed in the IVY Club, the harbor entrance was too shallow for us so we had to keep going to Peoria.  We got in about 4:30, had dinner on the boat and was in bed by 7:30.  

Tucked in for the night in Peoria

Monday morning we were up again at dawn for the next leg.  Logsdon Tug Service in Beardstown, IL.  Again, only one lock and 64 miles to go.  Logsdon Tug Service allows loopers to tie up to their barges for a small fee.  This allowed us to get Roxie to some grass.....but she would not go up or down the metal grate stairs, so Bill had to carry her!  LOL!

Leaving Peoria Town Docks at daybreak.

Bill carrying Roxie to the potty after getting settled in on the barge

Sunset over the flotilla tied to the Logsdon barge 

Dinner with our fellow loopers at Little Mexico

Tuesday morning we were up again before dawn for the next leg to Grafton.  Again, one lock and 76 miles to go.  The first 8 miles were foggy but once through the lock the sky cleared and we had a nice ride to Grafton.

Coming into Grafton

Another wonderful sunset

Dinner at the Oyster Bar located in the Grafton Harbor marina with fellow loopers!

We stayed in Grafton for two nights.  Wednesday was a nice sunny and warm and we took the opportunity to set up the mast and give Cheers a much needed bath!  We treated ourselves to a couple of drinks and wings at 3rd Shoot Bar.  Yummy!

Thursday morning sunrise from Grafton