All photos can be enlarged by clicking on them.
We made it safely through the night anchored in a wide, but shallow area of the river. We had at least four barge groups fleeting (paused along the bank) on the opposite side of the river with their engines running through the night. In fact we saw probably 25 full barge tows fleeting along the last ten miles up to the John T. Meyer Lock & Dam. The larger chamber of the lock has been closed for repairs, meaning barge groups with at least fifteen barges and a towboat have to be broken down and taken through the small chamber usually reserved for small pleasure craft. We called last night and again this morning to find out when we should move closer to the lock.
On the phone we found out we were going to lock through with another small watercraft. The small watercraft proved to be a canoe operated by a beautiful 21 year old girl who departed Hebron, Kentucky one month ago today. She told us she built the canoe (although it's not done). She packed her dog, her banjo and some clothes and took off with New Orleans as her destination. She said people have been giving her food, clothes and even a guitar as she travels. She said someone gave her a marine VHS radio, but she didn't know how to use it. I was able to help her out with the radio and told her which channels to use. She was what you might call "a free spirit". While in the lock chamber locking down Denise and I were dealing with keeping our boat lined up, while she was on the other side with her canoe tied to the lock with one little rope and her laying back, playing her banjo.
This is a video taken as we exited the lock and wishing "canoe girl" goodbye.
As we approached the town of Cave In Rock we saw many
beautiful homes built on top of the rocks lining the river.
The community of Cave in Rock gets its name from the obvious cave in the rock facing the Ohio River. Once used as a hide out for river pirates, today it is a park. It has also been used as the setting for several television shows and motion pictures, including How the West Was Won and Disney's Davey Crocket and the River Pirates.
Having lived most of my life in Elizabethtown, Ohio, I had to make a stop at the floating restaurant in Elizabethtown, Illinois. This is the third time I've eaten here and their river caught catfish is great!
After eating, we walked into town and visited the Riverside Mercantile, which features a little bit of everything. They were doing a brisk business at the ice dream counter.
As evening approached we were able to get a transient slip at the Golconda Marina. We have hook ups for electric and water and were able to do laundry in the marina building. Denise made pizza from scratch for dinner. This was a great stop at only $15.00 per night!
Today we traveled 65 miles.
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