Mike and Patty's Great Loop Adventure 2018-2019

Boston Bar Anchorage in Cairo, IL to Paducah Transient Boat Dock in Paducah, KY

Day #92: From last night Mike and I played one game of cribbage, Mike won. Not a peaceful night in the anchorage between the anchor rode making noise and debris hitting the boat Mike and I were up numerous times. We were up at 5:15 A.M. it was warm, humid but clear. We started the engines at 6:40 A.M. no issues bringing up the anchors even with all of the debris that we had clunking on the boat. We were underway with "Baytripper" at 6:50 A.M. As we got out on the Mississippi River we were traveling 12.4 miles per hour downstream. At 7:30 A.M. we were at the confluence of the Ohio River as we turned onto the river going up stream we were going 6.3 miles per hour. We left Cairo, IL at 8:45 A.M. leaving the heavy barge traffic behind. At 9:30 A.M. we were given instructions from the Olmstead Lock. As construction is still being completed on the lock we did not need to lock through but needed to be escorted around the lock. Also, Lock 53 no longer exists but deconstruction is still occurring so we needed to be escorted past that site as well. At 9:50 A.M. we were holding station waiting for the escort boat "Miss Isabelle". At 10:00 A.M. "Miss Isabelle" took us upbound. At 10:30 A.M. we were clear of both the Olmstead (Lock #11) and Lock 53. The Ohio River although slow going we didn't have near the amount of debris as we did on the Mississippi and the current was somewhat better. At 11:30 A.M. we had sandwiches on the flying bridge. At 2:00 P.M. we past Fort Massac. At 2:00 P.M. Mike hailed Lock 52 lockmaster the lock is demolished but we still needed to call to let them know that we were passing over the wickets. We followed a tow over the wickets and there was extreme current. At 2:45 P.M. we were clear of Lock 52. Mike called the Paducah City Dock to let them know that we were about 1.5 miles out. John from Paducah City Park giving Mike instructions about docking. The winds were gusting to 20 miles per hour and the current by the docks was extreme. Between John and Pete ("Knot Grounded II") they helped us get docked safely at 3:30 P.M.. Mike went to help John and Pete getting "Baytripper" to the dock just ahead of us. We traveled 54.3 miles today (1226 miles for the total trip). Mike and I did our post departure jobs we headed to "Baytripper" for arrival drinks and air conditioning as the temperature outside was 89 degrees. We decided to go out to dinner so we headed to the Paducah Brew Werks for pizza. We had a great meal with Bev and Bruce. We walked back in the dark walking by the Quilt Museum which was closed we will be coming back once we are at Green Turtle Bay for the week. Back onboard Mike did a few boat jobs while I blogged.