Headed for Tennessee!

 Monday, Oct 13:

Wes was busy with boat and video projects while I worked.  Our friends Scott and Narissa from Lemonade made it to Alton.  We walked over to their boat and visited a bit, then we walked to Mac's in Alton for dinner.  We walked back to the marina and there were still a few loopers at docktales.  We stopped briefly, then back to Lemonade for more visiting.  It was about looper midnight so we decided to go back to Toscana to relax a little before bed.  

Tuesday, Oct 14:

Narissa convinced us to stay another day and leave on Wednesday with them, so once the office opened, Wes went up and extended our stay for the extra day.  After I was done with work, we took an Uber to Fast Eddies with Scott and Narissa.  We enjoyed some beverages, food and music.  Then we took an Uber back to the marina where we enjoyed one more beverage aboard Toscana before they went back to Lemonade.  Then off to bed early as we are getting going at first light tomorrow.

Wednesday, Oct 15:

We were both up and moving early.  Wes called the lock at 6:30am and they said if we could hurry and get there, they would squeeze us in between two tows.  Wes let the others know that were leaving that morning, fired the engines, dropped the lines, and off we went.  There were 8 of us in the lock.  We made it through, then on towards the Chain of Rocks.  We had to wait about an hour for 2 tows to go through, then they put the 8 of us through.  I got the camera out and snapped some good boat/Arch pictures for the other 7 boats with us.  Then Lemonade waited with us and then took our picture as we passed the Arch.  Then down the Mississippi we all went.  We were getting some push from the current so we were able to make it to Kaskaskia Lock to tie up for the night.  We arrived around 1720.  There were already 3 boats there, but there was enough room for the rest of us (there were 4 of us) and even enough room for one more boat.  We visited a bit, then back to the boat for dinner.  Then we brought our chairs out and visited with Lemonade, Inspiration, Avontuur, and Dada II until looper midnight.  We relaxed a bit then when to bed.

 Thursday, Oct 16:

No locks today, so we didn't have to get moving at sunrise.  We got up, fired up the generator, and we both did some computer work.  It was a beautiful morning.  We dropped the lines and shoved off around 0830 and headed towards Little Diversion.  It is such a different view when the river is low.  You can see the wing damns out of the water and there is so much beach where you usually see only water.  We got to Little Diversion around 1530, and rafted up with Lemonade starboard to starboard so that neither of us had to put out a stern anchor.  I finished work then we enjoyed a landing drink with Scott and Narissa.  Then we enjoyed dinner and game night.  It was a very enjoyable night at anchor!!

 Friday, Oct 17:

We got up and Wes did some computer work.  We pulled the anchor around 0730 and started down river.  There was a bit of barge traffic right as we got started, but it wasn't too bad.  Wes had an MTOA  meeting, so I took the helm while he was on his call.  When he was done, he took over and I went back to work.  It was a busy day on the river, but a beautiful day!  We got to just below Olmstead lock and dropped the anchor around 1500.  Lemonade rafted up to us for the night, but the other 3 boats continued on through the lock to anchor on the other side.  We all got settled in, then landing drink time.  We enjoyed dinner together and played some more games.  Another fun night with Scott and Narissa!!

Saturday, Oct 18:

It's a short day to Paducah, so we didn't rush in the morning.  Wes did some computer work, while I slept in a little.  He also made breakfast, and then a quick hair cut for Wes.  There was a sailboat that anchored out near us and they started heading toward the lock around 0845.  The lock hailed us and asked if we were ready to go through.  We told them we needed 20 minutes.  They said that was fine, so we and Lemonade got ourselves ready.  Then we untied Lemonade, pulled our anchor and headed to Olmstead lock.  We got through around 1000 and continued up the Ohio River.  We got to our anchorage at Cuba Towhead round 1500.  There was a sailboat already anchored there, so we stayed back a bit and hugged the shoreline a little.  Three more looper boats came in after dark, MisKelculation, In the Loop, and Never EZ.  Storms came through around 2000, the wind picked up and spun us around and into the shallower water, but we were fine.  We waited until the majority of the storm passed, then we went to bed.

 Sunday, Oct 19:

 

Wes got up before me (I know, shocker), but I wasn't too far behind him.  It was still windy and much cooler than the sunny and 78 degree day yesterday.  You know it's chilly when even Wes puts on his light sweatshirt.  We pulled the anchor around 0800 and started our way up the Ohio River again heading towards the Cumberland River.  We got to Barkley Lock around 1345.  We had a short wait while they turned the chamber around and got into the lock around 1400.  It's just a short run to Green Turtle Bay, so then we were all settled in and checked in by 1430.  We visited with some loopers, then went up to docktales around 1700, then we walked to the Tiki Turtle with Scott and Narissa for dinner.  They will be staying here for week while we are moving on, so we aren't sure the next time we will see them.  We had a very nice dinner, then back to our boats to relax a bit before bed.