Great Loop "Just Do It"

  Aug 31 Paducah to Green Bay Resort Marina on Lake Barkley 43.7 miles one lock Day started as normal a get up with coffee and Raisin Toast.   Then a quick plot of the route and off we went.   We made good time on the Ohio until we approached the Smithland   Lock and Dam then speed fell and fuel took an small hit.   We left the Ohio and started up the Cumberland River and fuel and speed was good again. However as we approached Barkly Lock and dam the things became really bad.   Speed fell to near standing and therefore fuel usage went way up, to keep some forward motion.   This lasted for the last 4 miles up to the dam.   But the boat crawled along and we entered the dam.   On leaving the lock we headed for the marina and fuel.   The entrance was visible and made for it.   While Dianne was talking about the fuel and slip I heard a loud Crunch.   I stopped the engine and checked and yes we were aground.   Lots of mud behind...

  Aug 30 7 miles up Ohio to Paducah KY 38 fuel average 4.9 Miles per Gallon Yesterdays ending was wild with wind, rain and thunder.   We could see lighting to the north west as got ready for dinner and than am second storm came over us during the night.   On good thing I figured out our correct offset for the boat.   We draw 3.5 but the sonar is 1.5 feet under water.   So when the sonar reads 3 feet we are really in 4.5 feet.   This was the case last night and is something I expected and always prayed I was correct on as I had been in shallow water before.   Even with the strong current the anchor held all night and there was no movement at all with the wind and rain.   The same can not be said for the barges they were closer this morning than last night we went to bed, however still a lot further away than when anchored upstream of them.   After a quick bite and coffee off we went to the dam although just 7 miles it took use over 1.5 hours t...

  Aug 29 Cape Gerardo to 7 mile above Caro on Ohio 58.8 miles average fuel was 11.5 mile per gallon The average was lowered from the 15 miles per gallon on Mississippi to just the above 11.5 for the last 7 miles today.   We did not do bad on the Ohio the average was around the expected 4.5-4.8 but it was a big hit.   Again we are anchored and the current is something to see.   Swimming tonight we stuck close to and held onto the boat as letting go could be a very long walk back up river before attempting to swim back.   The trip here was again somewhat scenic lots of beaches and shore files but not a lot of bluffs or rocks.   There were a few rocky spots on the river marked as hazard areas that I threaded but I think that as added caution only. Traffic was heavy today saw only one other cruiser and no fishermen.   But 22 tows moving up river and followed 1 down.   Mostly they are moving empty barges to load with grain once the harvest comes in. ...

  Aug 28 Rockwood Island to Cape Gerardo 53 mile average fuel 14.8 miles to the gallon Last night could best be described as noisy.   The anchor chain growled, hummed and banged all night long due the current running though it.   Add to the a couple of trains and several tows and was at times loud.   I got out of bed   twice checked the anchor ropes and alarms we had no problems no drift.   So it went very well.   When Di decided to get up we had a toasted english muffin and of course coffee.   I then searched around the boat for any logs or debris that might have caught up during the night and finding all clears pulled in the stern anchor.   Then climbed to the front winch and hauled that in while Dianne drove over the anchor and once free off we took.   The river was nice to us today giving a strong push.   I fear that I wlll lose the push once on the Ohio and will miss the great gas mileage and easy ride.   We passed 7 upstr...

  Aug 27 Kimswick MO to mile 100 on the Mississppi north section.   53 miles average miles per gallon 12.2 As the above shows the Mississippi south of the chain of Rocks is moving like a run away horse and gave us a very cheap ride today.   We were moving at just idle on the engine all I had to do was keep enough speed to stir the boat.   Lots of barges today plus a dredge so at least once an hour I had to take control and move the boat one why or another.   To keep out of other peoples way.   Only one bridge today which I found a little different as normally we see a lot more and fews boats.   Only 10 fishing boats most of those were anchored and fishing in place.   One was beached and a guy was fishing from the beach and a women looks like she was collecting stuff (clam shells, river glass or perhaps trash). Even the Radio was quite and limited chatter there. Last night at dinner met a nice guy our age (read OLDer) and felt the problem with kids...

  Aug 26 Alton to Kinswick MO 45 miles 2 locks Interesting and fun day today were awake and moving early had a breakfast of english muffins and jam.   Then a gas arrived and wanted to discuss our boat how it worked and compare it to his history with similar boats.   This took about half an hour and turned out just fine ended up we gave him our card and started out. As soon as we left Alton marina we called the Melvin Price lock and dam and told them we were on our way.   The had the lock all set up for us and in out we went with no problems.   We did the same with Chain of Rock lock and dam with the same result in and out fast and easy.   In the Chain of Rock lock they let us float free of the wall.   This was little scary for me and had to maneuver the boat to keep it off the wall.   I think I prefer to tie off.   Another difference here is that must have a life jacket on inside the lock.   Not a bad idea but it did take us a little by ...

  Aug 25 St. Charles Mo to Alton IL about 20 miles As we knew we would be waiting for the pump today we stayed in bed latter than   would be normal for us.   When we did finally leave the bed and dressing we discussed our plan for the day.   On the top of the list while waiting was laundry.   Then cleaning the boat and a few very minor lose screws to tighten.   This included the one in my head.   The morning was warm as the sun was beating on the boat before the afternoon shade reached us.   We decided to sit down in the service department and enjoy their water cooler and AC.   This also allowed us to watch for the UPS truck.   It got there before I finished my first cup of cold water.   Kurt the mechanic showed me the pump and told him it was one from Reilly I had selected.   He did not believe and checked and it was in stock and cross listed for foreign cars.   No surprise it was less than half the price and right in tow...

  Aug 24th No movement today It was a long day preparing for a new fuel pump for the Generator.   First why do we need it fixed in the coming weeks there are are few Docks between here and Kentucky so we will be anchored out a lot.   Therefore currently cook we need the generator to power the stove.   Now I spent my time finding the specifications for the fuel pump that was on the unit.   Clearly there was miss installation in this case as the pump was not designed to draw the fuel from so far away and so high.   This caused Cavitation in the which killed it,   I found equivalent pumps that I could install and would work but the Mechanic found the same pump.   He would not install a different pump if the same one was available.   But we did agree the installation would have to be changed,.   That became my job.   What a pain in the butt.   Somehow, for some unknown reasons they installed 4 sections of fuel hose with a length of...

  Aug 23 Wing island South of Beardstown to ST. Charles Mo. 43 miles no lock now on Mississippi We seem to have no luck with this boat!   Every time I start to feel everything is working it finds a new thing to break today it is the generator.   Last night at dinner time went to start it and it would not fire up.   Just coughed and cranked a little bit.   checked oil and water things look ok but no joy.   So we called around and found a mechanic in ST. Charles we are currently waiting for more than 1.5 hours. Kind of sucks they knew we were coming but claim is they sent him out for propellers and he has not come back yet.   But on the good news side of things they did have a used cord to trade in and is working just fine so that part of the things is improving.   So yesterday we reached our target spot at noon it was early so we kept moving to save a day.   Also as we had to anchor anyways better in a moving boat than a still one.   Drop...

  Aug 21 Havana Boat Club to Beardstown (anchored south about two miles behind Bar Island) 36 miles Another lazy morning in Bed with fog and cloudy skies we managed to stay dry all night so I am not sure what leaked last time it rained hard.   Maybe from one of the cabin hatches.   Somethings on this boat are a mystery to me. Once up we moved quickly to get things moving.   We had english muffins and of course good coffee to wake up.   Today I managed to remember to enter the course on my GPS so Dianne did worry today about the need watch out while set up the course on the GPS.   This being a river there are a lot of turns and bends so the average course requires about   50 ploted turns and that does not even keep the course exactly on the river all the time.   The water level is way down according to the owner at the marina we stayed in last night.   So his advise is to stay in channel as much as possible as any movement out will likely resu...

  Aug 20 Peoria to Havana IL 47 miles 1 lock Left bed a little late as it was raining this morning.   It was difficult night as the water did drip on my side of the bed.   Had to Hug the wall as it was between Dianne and me, therefore to hug close to Dianne would have meant having it drip right on me.   So it was like sleeping alone,   I need every one to say together poor Allan, you always have to suffer.   We discussed leaving or staying it was tossup as the weather was not great but not horrible either.   We left, and it made for an interesting day.   The first problem was my electrical cord to hook the boat to the dock power seems to have low level short in it.   This means it slowly melting the ground connection so I need to replace it.   It makes taking it off really hard as it sticks.   I tried today but no joy maybe tomorrow.   l Then the Peoria dock took 2 hours to lock us through.   It was long wait but I made it...