The last leg of the Ohio River

We got off to an early start after a good night's sleep. It's nice to be tied to a dock with electric and avoid running the noisy generator to have AC. The river continues to be wide and we rarely see pleasure boats. This seems so odd to us but maybe we just aren't used to weekday boating.

 

We did have a major S.O.S. The coffee carafe cracked! We noticed a small crack when we left but now it has expanded and leaks! I'm sure MacGyver (Alan) will find a way to make it work. He loves his coffee.

 

 

We went 108 miles and through 2 locks (Newburgh and John T Myers). The Newburgh Lock is seen below with an arrow pointing to where we enter.

 

Alan calls ahead on the marine radio on channel 13 (hailing the lockmaster) to ask permission to lock through. He identifies our boat as a southbound pleasure craft. The lockmaster will radio back with response confirming which lock we will use and the timing. Sometimes there is a wait but we have been fortunate with only one wait to date. Often there are 2 locks, one used for commercial craft (barges) and one for pleasure craft and/or small tows. Once the gates open and we get in the lock, Alan pulls up next to the floating bollards and I secure our line around one. Lasso skills always a plus. As the water goes up (or down), the bollards rise or lower. In this case, we are going down. Notice the slimy walls (hence the gloves). Prior to entering the lock, I have place large fenders on the outside of the boat to protect it from the dock wall. Once the water is at the proper level, the far gate opens and a whistle sounds to signal us to pull out.

 

 

 

 

Cave In Rock, aptly named, is a small community located at Ohio mile marker 880.5.

 

Crazy to think there were every pirates on the Ohio River!

 After another long and hot day, we anchored behind Rondeau Island at Ohio mile marker 901.

 

 

Alan took a moonlight swim

Tomorrow we hit the Cumberland River. It will be much narrower than the Ohio.

P.S. You may have noticed that the blog date does not match our travel date. The date you see at the top of each post is the date I actually wrote the post. I usually add to the blog each morning when we get underway, capturing the previous day's events. Thanks for reading our blog!