4 September, 2021. Serenity and crew crosses her wake and completes America’s Great Loop

 

35 SM; 6.8 hours and one final lock up

Marvelous anchorage last night.  So peaceful, never woke until 0500.  Kim’s early morning anchorage video. But we have a mission today.  Buck strong currents up the Cumberland river arriving at the Barkley lock and dam.  Overcast, rain threatening and more forecast later today, we made ready to get underway.  All set, anchor hoisted at 0700.  Brief journey around the towhead island, exposed to the strong Ohio river currents briefly, then turning into the Cumberland with it’s own swift currents.  Ran a couple of extra hundred RPM today just to stay consistent at 5 MPH.  Six hours to make 30 miles but we made it.  I had called the lock master early this morning to ensure there was no unscheduled maintenance and to let him know we were coming and his lock was the last lock on our journey.  A mile before the lock I hailed the lock master via radio with our position and requested a lock up.  He welcomed us back and said the lock was ready, door open and proceed on in.  That we did and tied up on the starboard side.  Arrived at the lock at 1300.  A pretty quick ride up of 47 feet.  Shortly the doors opened and we exited into Lake Barkley.  Bitter sweet knowing we entered and exited our last lock on this journey.  

Approaching the opened Barkley lock

Doors closing behind Serenity

We had traveled down the Cumberland River from Mt Juliet, TN, 200 miles to the east, 1 November, 2019.  We will not return back up the river.  Instead, two miles ahead, we cross our wake, the track/location we passed on 5 November, 2019 and proceed to the same anchorage where we spent the night.  Kim’s anchorage video

Crossing tracks, crossing our wake

Completing the Loop at 1330 after 6322 statute miles traveled.  2086 hours total on the Yanmar diesel.  We popped the top on a sprite and toasted our achievement and completion. The crew filled with various emotions.  We have enjoyed the clean water of Lake Barkley this afternoon with swim call.  Made spaghetti from scratch for boat supper.  Storms, hopefully not severe and heavy rain on the way tonight and tomorrow.  Will set the anchor alarm once again; verify the anchor is set and ride it out.  

We intend to remain on Lake Barkley for a couple of days, then we will take Serenity to Green Turtle Bay marina, just 3 miles away.  Due to the holiday weekend we cannot get a slip until next week.  Then pick up a rental vehicle, unload all of our stuff and head to SW Missouri.  We will return back in a few days with all of the boat cushions and stuff we off-loaded two years ago that belong on Serenity.  Serenity will get a very through cleaning, oil and filter changes and waxing inside and out.  Serenity has been a great little boat and a safe boat.  The Yanmar diesel has performed flawlessly.  We have spend every night aboard, 302 nights of travel.  We have several more nights aboard before this adventure concludes.  

In a few days I will gather statistics and post.   Thank you to those who have followed and offered encouragement along the way. To many who met us in some marina and we shared time, and good food together thank you.  

6323 SM; 2086.2 hours hobbs.

3 September, 2021. Planned short day to a safe anchorage

 

12 SM; 2.5 hours

Relatively easy day.  No rush to wake up or get up.  Secured on the inside of the substantial Paducah city docks.  Cool night and morning.  Slept well.  We arranged for an instacart grocery delivery vice taking an UBER which probably would have cost as much considering transportation both ways.  Excellent service and we put away our provisions.   Topped off the fresh water tank.  Called the city and requested fuel.  I am certain Serenity had fuel to make our destination, but it is a barren route with zero chance of resupply or even reasonable rescue so why risk running out?  Took on 22.4 gallons.  About what I expected.  

Impressive floating walkway from floating dock to waterfront @ Paducah

We verified all gear stowed away, lines ready, the checklists completed. We untied from the fuel dock at 1150 and re-entered the Ohio river headed NE.  River has risen some during the night as forecast.  We expected more debris and current but about the same as yesterday.  About 2.5 mph current.  Our speed over ground 5.0 mph.  We are heading to a well regarded anchorage behind an island and clear of the main river and shipping lanes.  Only a short distance but still takes 2 1/2 hours due to the slow speed.  We have followed a very large tow/barge complex since departing Paducah.  

Tow dry dock repair facility

Kentucky side of Ohio—attempting to ID trees.  Cottonwoods?

Follow this captain for 12 miles before we exited the river

We exited to the SE off of the river to an area between KY on the south and Cumberland Island on the north.  It is called the Cumberland Towhead.

The term "towhead" implies an islet (small island) or shoal within a river (most often the Mississippi River) having a grouping or thicket of trees, and is often used in the Midwestern United States. ... The term "towhead" was popularised by Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.

Water upon entry was 20+ feet as we made our way deeper into the protected area.  Easing toward the north shore we dropped and set the anchor in 12 feet of water at 1410.  Lovely spot, current to keep us orientated, quiet and we are the only boat here.  Kim’s anchor video  Warmer this afternoon with a slight breeze but high clouds came from the NW and temperatures have dropped a few.  Pleasant sunset; water is smooth and the current carries flotsam and jetsam past.

Today’s intent was to finish the Ohio portion of our journey.  Tomorrow morning we will exit our anchorage and maybe do 1/2 mile on the Ohio then turn SE and travel up the Cumberland River 30 miles to the Barkley lock and dam.  Due to hurricane Ida’s heavy rains last week, the dam is passing high amounts of water.  We anticipate 2 mph current to buck again tomorrow.  So, the 30 miles will take at least 6 hours.  There is less commercial traffic on this lock so we should have a good 6 hours of daylight remaining in the day if we have to wait for our turn to lock.  There are no anchorages on this stretch.  This lock lifts 47 feet up to lake Barkley.  An anchorage is a couple of miles after we exit the lock into lake Barkley.

6288 SM journeyed; 2079.4 hours hobbs