September 20-21

September 20 From Hoppies Marina there are few places to stop until the junction of the Misssssippi and Ohio rivers at Cairo some 158 miles away. There is one spot down the river at Kaskaskia River junction about 40 miles away. It was the consensus among the loopers that we would travel all the way to the Little Diversion Channel some 110 miles away rather than go to Kaskaskia and sit in the 90 degree weather. 110 miles away--that's 9 hours for most of the boats even with the 3mph push from the mighty River. Everyone rolled out and we were on the River at first light at 6:30 am. Two of the boats were fast cruisers and they left us in the dust. The next five boats, Tom-Kat, Sea-Knight, Freebird, Our Time and us traveled in a group although SeaKinght cut back on his speed to conserve fuel as the next fuel stop is more than 220 miles away. You can get fuel at a barge along the way but you must call 24 hours in advance. With the push of the River current my Flo Scans show about 3mpg depending on the current. The 110 mile trip burned about 30 gallons of fuel. With our 300 gal fuel tank we won't have any trouble making the 220 mile stretch. Fern at Hoppies warned us of the turbulence that takes place in many bends of the river. In order to keep these bends from silting in, wing dams are built out into the river but they are well below the surface so as not impede navigation. As the water passes over these dams the surface creates swirling eddies which can throw your boat around if you are not expecting it and sometimes even when you are, the River briefly reminds your boat who is superior. Little Diversion is like a little creek that drains into the Mississippi. It is perhaps 125' wide and 10-12' deep. The two fast boats arrived long before we did. They anchored and rafted together and they suggested we do the same in order to accommodate all the boats. After Tom-Kat and Freebird settled in, Silver Foxes glided into the channel and dropped the hook. Our Time gently snuggled up. We tightened the lines and had lots of fenders out between us and now we rode as one. Jon & Gail Thomassen from Bobcaygen Ontario Canada were onboard, a couple we had met in Alton briefly and then again at Hoppies. The six of us had a delightful evening. The weather was fantastic. No wind, no bugs just picture perfect.Our long day was rewarded by steak shish kabobs on the grill. The picture is of the group of boats anchored in the Little Diversion Channel

September 21. All of the boats were up bright and early including us. They all left at first light for another 100 mile day except our conjoined boats as well as Baums Rush the 26' sailboat that travels a lot slower than any of us. Our Time and Silver Foxes decided to do about 65 miles so we both left at 7:30 and not exactly sure where we would end up. Baums Rush left shortly after we did. Our trip of 48 miles to the junction of the Ohio went smoothly Our Time led the way calling to the tows and getting meeting instructions. Nary a tow did we have to pass. At the junction of the Ohio river there was a line of demarcation--the muddy Mississippi and the green color of the Ohio river! As the boats made the turn it looked from our perspective like a train wreck of tows and barges. Anchored barges, tows moving barges, tows holding barges in place, some going upriver some coming at you. We managed to weave our way through the mess. We also have to remember "red right returning". In other words since we are now going upriver red buoys are to be kept to your right. The brakes were also applied to our speed. Instead of traveling 12 mph we are now pushing against the current and averaging 7.5 mph. What a difference! The Ohio river is 981 miles long. Mile Marker (MM) 981 is at he junction of the Mississippi so as the river is ascended the MM's count down from 981. The Olmsted lock & dam is currently being built at MM 965 which will replace 2 older locks on the river. These lock projects are huge. This one won't be finished until 2013! Approximately 20 miles up the Ohio we encountered our first lock. No problem waiting for the lock. A 10' lift and were away in about 30 minutes. It was about 3pm and we were getting tired so we asked the lockmaster where we could anchor. He didn't have a clue! He suggested we call one of the tow boats for advice. I got on the Radio and called the Majestic Lady a tow that had just locked through without any barges. He was very friendly, talked American instead of Cajun and gave us a few general suggestions including near Joppa Judy also remembered our friends Karen & Bill had anchored there so I gave them a call. We nailed down the spot where we were going to anchor. MM 954 across from the cement plant in Joppa very close to the Kentucky shore. The towboat Captain assured us there would good water there. Their lingo for water that is deep enough and that we would be well off the shipping channel. Here we are. Anther one of those I wish I could bank this weather. A beautiful sunset, calm river, no bugs. Very warm today but cooling off nicely. Just a neat view in the wide part of the River. As usual Baums Rush arrived about 5:30 pm at this anchorage. It is not publicized in any of the guide books. It might not be comfortable in some wind conditions but for today and tonight it will be delightful. Tomorrow is another day and another adventure! The picture is of the sunset at our anchorage tonight