My kingdom for a shower.

Our travels down the Mississippi and up the Ohio Rivers was pretty exciting. The Mississippi River is a twisting turning old gal with strong currents, tight corners, sandbars, and, of course, lots of barges. The junction of the Mississippi and Ohio is crowded with barges and Tugs going every which way. About ten miles upstream, the Ohio becomes open and an easy trip. It took a while to get used to traveling against the current (we travelled with the current on the Mississippi and against the current on the Ohio). Our speed went from 14 mph+ to less than 9 mph. The one thing that is absent on the Illinois, Mississippi and Ohio Rivers are Marinas. Actually we only had only two full service Marinas to spend the night at since leaving Chicago. That's nearly 600 miles (there may be a business opportunity here) with limited fuel, food, power, and showers (the crews biggest complaint). We have tied up for the night in a boat junk yard, on a working tug barge, a floating fuel dock, and a city boat launch during these legs of the journey. The good news is I didn't have to drop anchor and sway in the currents worrying about loose barges. We spent last night in Paducah, KY and ventured into town for dinner. What a great downtown. I would definitely come back and spend an extra day here. 

 

 

 

Crew change. Dave (River Rat) was a great deck hand and is heading back home. Gloria has undoubtedly  been spending her time gazing out at Lake Erie praying for her sailor to return safely. Mo is taking on the challenge of helping navigate 200 miles of the Mississippi River and 50 miles of the Ohio.

Sunrise on the Mississippi.

Riverboat just outside St Louis.

The "Arch".

Overlooking "Old Miss".



Lock 52 on the Ohio River.

Harrahs riverboat gambling casino on the Illinois side of the Ohio.

Destination of our cruise down the Mississippi and up the Ohio Rivers. Tomorrow we start up the Tennessee River.