The Ohio River to the Cumberland River to  Cross the Finishing Line at Grand Rivers!


Our traveling down the last 7.7 miles of the Mississippi River were uneventful.  Clear skies remained with us throughout the day.  At Cairo, Illinois (pronounced Karo, like the syrup), we turned onto the Ohio River.  At this point seen in the picture, it is considered the lowest point in Illinois.  At one time, Fort Defiance stood here in the Civil War.  There was a great deal of activity on the water comparable almost to St Louis.  Barges coming, going, and loading.  Not that Danny isn't but, definitely had to be vigilant in what was going on in front and on the sides of your boat.  Above we are turning off the Mississippi on to the Ohio River.
Saw another casino no longer operating just pushed up into the shore.  

We made it to the Olmstead lock and dam and they lifted The Other Woman and Beach House up 30 feet.  Beach House had trouble holding their lines and ended up floating in the lock.  Thank goodness it was just the two of us so it was not a big deal.









I included this picture where you will notice a flock of crows except one pointing down from the light.  It must have got hung up or stuck and appeared to be hanging upside down dead obviously.











This was a part of the Tennessee Valley Authority, Shawnee Power Plant

Historical structures along this course include Fort Massac Park.  The park was reproduced in 2002 based on drawings from 1802.  In this area, Lewis and Clark passed through in 1803 adding an individual to their expedition.  Interestingly, George Rogers Clark(the older brother of William Clark) brought a Virginia militia regiment called the "Long Knives" through this land in 1778 and took territory from the British in the Illinois territory.  While we did not visit, we could see it from the river.

Our plans were to be in Paducah, Kentucky tomorrow but speeding up our plans due to work down river changed that plan.  Unfortunately, the town runs the marina and they had no space for us.  They advised us we could raft to a boat that had a reservation with their approval.  Luckily for us, there were several boats that we knew.  Crustacean, Bill and Margie, allowed us to tie up.  

Bill used his drone to take pictures and you can see us as the second boat back.

It is a very cute town.  Morgan, our daughter, told us we needed to eat at The Freight House.  The chef was on Top Chef and Top Chef All-Stars.  Morgan said she really liked the way the woman presented herself on the show.  The Beach House, Crustacean and us went and enjoyed it immensely!

One of the highlights of going to Paducah is the National Quilt Museum which is just phenomenal.  I spent 2 hours there while Danny enjoyed the Paducah Beer Works (PBW).  And yes, there are all quilts!


This quilt was among a number in the Hall of Valor section for patriotic quilts!  If you can try to blow it up!
The plan was to leave Paducah at 8am, which we would need to leave earlier to let Crustacean join us.  All  11 boats got off the docks with our flotilla going down the Ohio  River and peeling off to go down the Cumberland River towards the Barkley Lock and Dam.  

The scenery and the changing of the foliage was beautiful.









The Other Woman traveling down the Cumberland River.

















The Smithland Bridge which you can see in front of the new bridge will be demolished the day after our passage.  We passed the Historic Gower House which was built in 1780 in Smithland, Kentucky.  The home was operated as an inn.  Ned Buntline wrote stories about the Western frontier and Buffalo Bill Cody lived in this inn in 1845.

Our last day of the Great Loop, Danny and I were rewarded with many eagles throughout the Cumberland River  Just beautiful birds!



After going through this lock, we arrived at Barkley Lake which is where we started this trip on November 13th last year at Green Turtle Bay.  Danny and I had crossed our wake!  

When we arrived in our slip and getting the boat tied up.  Danny just grabbed me and picked me up and said we did it!  I knew he was happy.

We had a big party at the Thirsty Turtle with the Looper Boats in the marina coming to join us!



               I am holding the flag we started with and Danny, the captain is holding the gold burgee!

The Other Woman gets to fly the gold burgee that represents completion of the Great Loop!
Danny has been flying the beer flag for some time.

We appreciate all of those that have followed our trip through this blog.  We are very lucky to have been able to do this and are truly blessed.  Now we need to look for another adventure!

     Final Statistics of Jenny and Danny's Great Loop Adventure

 TOTAL MILES TRAVELLED  5,732.53miles

TOTAL DAYS- 340

TRAVEL DAYS- 138

 Locks- 152

 Bridges Openings- 59

As we finish our Great Loop, a great quote from Fred Rogers-  “Often when you think you’re at the end of something, you’re at the beginning of something else.” 

 

Our next adventure awaits!😊




























































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