Cumberland River

Our goal today was to depart at 7:00 am after an off the channel anchorage at Metropolis IL located on the flooded Ohio River. However we were fogged in so the departure was delayed until 9:00 AM. We traveled a treacherous 19 miles fighting the Ohio River with 2 locks where the water was so high we didn’t lock through but drove over the top wicket dams (65’ deep). The current was the same for 31 miles on the Cumberland River and the 57’ lift at the Barkley lock. The Cumberland River is truly a beautiful river with very little development or industrial anywhere on its shoreline. Today was a gorgeous day and a beautiful ride up the twisting turning river carved out of the wilderness of Kentucky. Great journey today.

Tonight we are safely at the marina Green Turtle Bay (GTB) located in Grand Rivers, Kentucky located on the Barkley Lake. Nice large facility, with lots of local mariners and a very popular stop for north to south travelers. A quick storm blew through about 6:00 PM, but did not alter our wonderful evening at the Marina private club restaurant with new looper friends Dave & Pam Feltner from Akron Ohio. Very enjoyable evening sharing information with fellow loopers.

It is amazing how the auto-pilot fights the fast river flood currents. Often the current is so strong that the autopilot cannot react quick enough to stay on course. Sometimes it is better not to use it. We both must stay alert for floating logs which could create a catastrophic disaster.

Tomorrow, take it a little easier or like the name of the vessel reflects, “Noah Genda”. We are planning a slower pace cruising through the Kentucky Lake region stopping at several marinas along the way.
Images are of the Ohio River.