With one week under our keel, we are now loopers! The first few days were long . . . and we mean long. We traveled 359 miles in four days (we cruise about 10 miles per hour plus lock and wait time and other various reasons to go slow), and locked through five times, we then took a few days to regroup and enjoy our surroundings.
Traveling with a soon to be 14 year old golden retriever in some of the hottest days of the season, makes it difficult for us to stop anywhere but marina’s. We are looking forward to anchoring when we have cool nights for sleeping and easy dingy access for Remy.
The Ohio River south of Louisville is beautiful but not much else awaits. However, there are always see worthy things – like Kentucky’s farm animal, the giraffe!; a boat a little high and dry; Cave-in-rock. We made three overnight stops (Rocky Point, Evansville, and Golcanda – basic docks with power, fuel, and friendly people) before entering Kentucky’s wonderland – the Land Between the Lakes – a beautiful boating playground that includes both Lake Barkley and Kentucky Lake. It is the confluence of the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers. This has been one of our favorite destinations over the years and we were anxious to get back.
We cruised up the Cumberland from the Ohio and were confronted with rain and wind. Tasha was poured on in the lock and once the gates opened onto Lake Barkley, the sun came out and beauty awaited. We motored to Green Turtle Bay – a wonderous waterfront resort that we have always enjoyed. We stayed three days, and caught up with most chores, and visited with other long range cruisers. The cruising world is small. Our dock mates on our port and starboard each knew boating friends of ours and another cruiser heard we would be at green Turtle by way of a guy on the dock in Paducah. Lots or connections and already feeling at home with the boater comradery.
Remy made herself quite at home at Green Turtle – it has her five stars of approval. Lots of walking and playing areas, a dog friendly beach she frequented daily, a great gazebo in the shade she could watch the entire marina from, and two waitresses trained at the breakfast/lunch joint who gave her water and biscuits every time she passed by. Remy made it a point to frequent this spot regularly. We ate at one other restaurant on the property and they were most accommodating with water bowls. We love places that make it fun to share your trip with your pup and after four longs days on the boat, this pup deserved it!
Week one wrapped up with a 20 mile jaunt up the Cumberland or Barkley Lake to Barkley Lake State Park Marina near Cadiz, KY. Kentucky has always had a great state park system and this marina did not disappoint. Friendly, clean, lots of amenities and dockage with 50 amp power for $1 a foot- thank you to our Kentucky friends for funding this! We’ll finish our week catching up on internet needed things as our next jaunt doesn’t appear to have many stops with WiFi – we’re headed up river to Nashville – can’t wait to see Nash Vegas from the water!
So it seems we’re officially loopers!
Cheers! D, T & R
Hi Dave and Tasha! So glad to have met you both in Hendersonville at Old Hickory Lake! Hope your Loop goes well and give extra Huggs to your Beautiful Remy!
It was a pleasure meeting you. You have a beautiful club, we enjoyed it very much. Thank you.