Until We Meet Again

MIGHTY OHIO

GREAT BLUE HERON

As we cruised down toward Smithland, the Cumberland River and Barkley Lock, we said good-bye to the mighty, muddy Ohio River (at 11:39am CST) for a few years. The Cumberland was absolutely beautiful and we encountered NO barges this time. At mm 19.5 we watched an American bald eagle fish. There were many great blue heron and two great white egrets. We locked through Barkley easily. In fact it was the best lock through we've had so far, even though we were lifted 49ft. into Lake Barkley. We pulled into Ky Dam Village Marina at 2:30pmCST

We spent the next two days at Ky Lake, enjoying the warm sun when it appeared and attending to the details of life as we now know it. I did the laundry while Captain John made the pole fenders that we will need once we reach marinas with pilings. We took the dingy prop and canvas to be repaired, both boo- boos occurred during the high winds you already know about if you read "Down Mighty Rivers". I don't want to re-live that experience. Anyway both items were fixed by two fine fellows who went out of their way to rush our jobs and put us at the top of their fix- it lists. We borrowed the marina's van and picked up the canvas, the prop and lots of groceries. Oct.7, we fueled up and departed for Paris Landing, Tenn. at 10:32amCST arriving at 2:00pmCST. The marina is lovely and we had a nice evening chatting with a group of older folks on 5 large cruisers who were boating up to Green Turtle Bay and the Cumberland for awhile. I'd hate to see their ibuprofen bill! We decided to stay at Paris Landing for a few days. It's our 26 wedding anniversary today and they have a nice restraurant in town for a special dinner. Who would have ever thought 26 years ago we'd be here in Paris, Tenn. today.