We left the anchorage at 8am today as we have only 33 miles and 1 Lock to do today before we get to Green Turtle Bay. Also, Bob checked AIS before we left the anchorage and saw a barge coming southbound through the narrow channel on the Cumberland River we have to turn northbound.
Each of the rivers we have travelled has a different look and personality. The Cumberland River is much narrower, has low rolling hills with trees on the shoreline and has a few houses with huge levees protecting them. It reminds me more of the Mohawk River in upstate NY. We noticed about .5 to 1mph current against us but we were still able to maintain a speed of 7.4.
We were able to let the autohelm steer so the morning seemed easier. We were surprised once going around a curve and “dab smack in front of us” was the “Larry Tilley”, a pusher and barge southbound. They did not have an AIS transponder so we had no warning. They quarry a lot of limestone in the area, have grinders on the riverbank and then it is loaded on the barges so this area can be busy.
We entered the Barkley Lock by noon and were raised 57 feet. Each lock is different and this one had high and low bollards that were spaced comfortably so that we did not have to worry about moving backwards or forwards and hitting another boat. The definition of a good boating day always starts with ‘no one got hurt and nobody’s boat got damaged.” We have had all good days so far.
Barkley Lock opens up to Barkley Lake which is one of the most popular stops on the Loop. It has hiking trails in the Land Between the Lakes, the picturesque town of Grand Rivers, protected anchorages, post office, a grocery store and access to a marina courtesy car.
Patti’s Settlement Restaurant even sends a van to pick up boaters for their nightly feast. The restaurant is decked out in Christmas glitter throughout the year, and offers their specialty pork dishes and over-the-top pecan desserts. We were not disappointed!
Each of the rivers we have travelled has a different look and personality. The Cumberland River is much narrower, has low rolling hills with trees on the shoreline and has a few houses with huge levees protecting them. It reminds me more of the Mohawk River in upstate NY. We noticed about .5 to 1mph current against us but we were still able to maintain a speed of 7.4.
We were able to let the autohelm steer so the morning seemed easier. We were surprised once going around a curve and “dab smack in front of us” was the “Larry Tilley”, a pusher and barge southbound. They did not have an AIS transponder so we had no warning. They quarry a lot of limestone in the area, have grinders on the riverbank and then it is loaded on the barges so this area can be busy.
We entered the Barkley Lock by noon and were raised 57 feet. Each lock is different and this one had high and low bollards that were spaced comfortably so that we did not have to worry about moving backwards or forwards and hitting another boat. The definition of a good boating day always starts with ‘no one got hurt and nobody’s boat got damaged.” We have had all good days so far.
Barkley Lock opens up to Barkley Lake which is one of the most popular stops on the Loop. It has hiking trails in the Land Between the Lakes, the picturesque town of Grand Rivers, protected anchorages, post office, a grocery store and access to a marina courtesy car.
Patti’s Settlement Restaurant even sends a van to pick up boaters for their nightly feast. The restaurant is decked out in Christmas glitter throughout the year, and offers their specialty pork dishes and over-the-top pecan desserts. We were not disappointed!
