See the new album for photos along the way. We are currently near Cincinnati, OH mile mark 464.1 at Four Seasons Marina, a 500 slip facility. We've come 435.5 miles. Internet is sporadic, but I'll update when I can.
M/V The 69 Queen
1969 River Queen 40'
and a 24' Pontoon "Red Solo Cup"
Port of Fulton, MS
Great Photos! Carol, thank you so much for sharing your trip with us. This is fascinating stuff that many boaters, including myself, find very interesting. Keep us posted and we wish you continued luck on your trip of a lifetime!
My Steeler pennant is in the port side window PERMANETLY! Unfortunatly the stock of IC Light is dwindling!
Originally Posted by hurlboat
carol dont forget to hang your steeler flag when going thru cinci
We made 66 miles today, we're running about 2150 rpms which is about 11 mph. We've come 525 miles. We're at Smugglers Cove Marina, mm 530 Warsaw, KY. It's back in a huge cove made by Craig's Creek, so it's a protected no wake harbor. The Ohio is wide, with flatland farms on either side that stretch at least 2 miles to the base of some low hills. We're paying on average 3.00 a gallon for fuel and a 1.00 per ft for transient dockage. The locks are few and far between here, and all of them are floating bollard style. The last two locks have had 95 mile long pools. So far we've come thru 10 locks and the next one is within site. Louisville, KY is the next stop, we may lay over for the weekend, it's all weather pending.....
Carol
M/V The 69 Queen
1969 River Queen 40'
and a 24' Pontoon "Red Solo Cup"
Port of Fulton, MS
We're still at Smugglers Cove Marina, LDB mm 530, this is a great place and the dockmaster Larry is always ready with a smile to help in any way he can. There is a great bar/restaurant across the street called The Sunset Grill. Food is decent and the view of the Ohio pleasant, live entertainment on weekends.
See the photos for some pics of the Belterra Casino airplane which lands on the river and taxi's into the marina and meets the shuttle service van. Now that was a really COOL site to see!
Will head out Monday morning, next stop, Lousiville KY.
M/V The 69 Queen
1969 River Queen 40'
and a 24' Pontoon "Red Solo Cup"
Port of Fulton, MS
We're at French Island Marina and Boat Club mm 765.5. The other side of the campground is cornfields, I'm shocked I'm picking up WiFi. We've logged 740 river miles. We've been cruising at 12 mph and getting just a little better than 1 mpg. Average fuel price is 3.00 per gallon and as high as 3.16. (Terry, you do the math)
We are also averaging about 30.00 per nite for transient fees. Some are less, some are more, some have given us free dockage. Laundry mats and marinas with laundry facilities are few and far between.
I've found the Quimby's guide only somewhat accurate. Some of the marina's listed no longer exist, some have the wrong contact information. Some that advertise fuel no longer have it. We've decided to just fuel up at every stop. There was a stretch between Louisville, KY and Cannelton, IN which was 120 miles of nothing..........no fuel, no marinas, not even private docks. We saw very few towboats in that stretch and no pleasure craft. When we got to Cannelton, at Rocky Point marina, their fuel dock was gone, but they did bring us fuel in a 50 gallon tank in the back of a pick up truck. Two tanks full. As far as I can tell that is the worst stretch.
We're just a little over halfway and only 157 miles from the turn into the Cumberland River. Knock on wood....the boat is running well. We'll have to lay up here for a few days, they had 2 inches of rain and the river is running fast with a lot of debris. I have spare props but don't want to take a chance.
I meet Steeler fans almost everywhere we go. The "Steeler Nation" truly does exist. The pennant in the window always gets noticed, and people invarably ask "where ya'll from?"
I'll post when I can, which I'm sure will be when we get to the big marinas on the Tennesee river. See the new pics added in the album.
Carol
M/V The 69 Queen
1969 River Queen 40'
and a 24' Pontoon "Red Solo Cup"
Port of Fulton, MS
I have to save I am enjoying reading about your trip, It brings back fond memories. We stayed at a marina farther down river in Evansville. I remember the lighthouse you showed at Rocky Point. Your next stop will probobly be at Golconda and then the Cumberland and Green Turtle Bay.
Best of luck, take your time and enjoy( I hope I can do it again some day)
We've come 937 miles from the Beaver River, the boat is holding up well. We had a blower go out, but had a spare and are replacing that today.
The last place we stayed was at Golconda, IL. It was a nice marina, friendly people, and they are lucky enough to have an island just upriver from the marina. Someone built a "Tiki Hut" out of a couple of trees that were down on the island. What a party spot........
We are in Green Turtle Bay marina on Lake Barkley, Cumberland River. Barkley locks are about 30 miles up the Cumberland river, the lift is 57 feet, when you come out those gates WOW WOW WOW The lake is absolutely beautiful. This marina is spectacular, there must be at least a 1000 boats (ahem, mostly yachts) and at least 100 of them are sailboats. Two restaurants, three swimming pools, fuel, pump out, yacht sales, you name it they got it. There is WiFi, but for some reason, I'm not connecting to it. Luckily they have a public computer for anyone to use, unfortunatly I can't send any photos from it.
We have about 400 miles to go to get to Demopolis, I'll post some photos when I can.
Carol
M/V The 69 Queen
1969 River Queen 40'
and a 24' Pontoon "Red Solo Cup"
Port of Fulton, MS
We just got back from a week trip on the Mon River. Went all the way up river just short of the Fork River and the Tygart (we had to head back before the locks closed). What a great time we had, but nothing compared to what you guys are doing! Keep up the great work and keep us posted. The pics are great and make me want to retire tomorrow and start on this trip myself! Thanks again and continued good luck!
Wow is this country gorgeous! If you are traveling, Green Turtle Bay marina on Lake Barkley/Cumberland River is a MUST STOP! I give it 5 anchors.
We've come thru the Barkley Canal into the Tennessee River/Kentucky Lake. Kentucky Lake is huge! Very wide, very long and the day we traveled, very windy. We had waves breaking over the bow and were getting spray up on the flybridge! Whoo hoo! Fun! We came thru on a Monday and only saw one other boat out on the lake. Check out the photos, we had heard there was a town that was flooded when the dam was built. I guess it's a great dive site. There was also a railroad bridge at that location that came part way across the lake and the rest of it had been torn down. Talk about a bridge to nowhere......
We stayed at Pebble Isle Marina, it was OK, no internet, no cable TV, couldnt even pick up a broadcast station. But the sunset was great! Then there was that big yacht next to us, we heard she came from California thru the Panama Canal on a transport ship. I checked the Office of Science and Technology and found out it is documented under a "Trustee". So I have no idea who was on it, but we could see thru the tinted windows they were being served dinner by staff. (yep, that's why I'm called "Galleyslave", cause I got no staff!)
When we got to the end of the lake there were numerous islands and duck blinds everywhere. The GPS unit along with the paper charts are a must. The Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge was gorgeous. Once we came out of Kentucky Lake and actually got into the Tennessee River it's amazing, the water is clean, clear and a beautiful emerald green color. We are staying at Clifton Marina, in Clifton, TN for a few days. mm 158.5 on the Tennessee. So far, so good, we're in a covered slip with free internet, and there's a signed autograph of Alan Jackson in the marina office, he stayed here on his yacht.
We're only 57 miles from the Tenn Tom.
M/V The 69 Queen
1969 River Queen 40'
and a 24' Pontoon "Red Solo Cup"
Port of Fulton, MS
Just checked out your pictures. The partly submersed building in Kentucky Lake is an old prison. That what an old timer told me. Have been passed it several times. Beautiful country.
I'm Kenny's old barber that you met in Marritta on the 4th of July.
The Tennessee river here at Clifton is really nice. Reminds me of the upper Mon.
There are two marinas in this area and both are full, with a waiting list. (damn, no wonder, one has FREE draft beer from 4 -6 every day and the one we're at, is the only place in town that has bands!) We've thought of staying here instead of going to Demopolis, time will tell if we are able to get a slip.
We've been catching "Loopers", we'll see some at a marina, then run into them again a 100 miles away. Two couples we met were from St. Louis and they were on pontoon boats. Another couple was from Chicago, they are on a 26' cruiser. That is one of the highlights of this trip.
Today we took the tender across the Tennessee, there are sandy beaches on the opposite side, and went arrowhead hunting. Found one arrowhead, and a slew of indian pottery shards. The water is so clear it's enjoyable to swim in, and there is very little garbage on the shorelines. One place you need to watch is a cattle pasture, the cows are open range and the river is the fence. Do not want to come across a bull.
We've taken the marina courtesy car into Savannah, TN which is @ 20 miles. YAY a Wal Mart!
I'll keep you posted.
Carol
M/V The 69 Queen
1969 River Queen 40'
and a 24' Pontoon "Red Solo Cup"
Port of Fulton, MS
Couldn't get a slip on the Tennessee river. So, here we are on the Tenn-Tom at Midway marina in Fulton, MS.
We stayed last night at Grand Harbor Resort, it was pricey for transient dockage at 1.35 per foot, and it was a half a mile walk to take the dog to pee. There wasn't much grass there, it was all docks or condos. The docks were 16' wide and everyone was running up and down them on golf carts. The area was beautiful though, on Yellow Creek just off the Tennesee river at what is considered the end of the Tenn-Tom, the scenery was spectacular.
Once we got into the man made section it reminded me of a giant ditch. Long (40 miles), boring, and a lack of scenery. Jamie Whitten Locks made up for that. That was an 85' drop, it took 35 minutes after we were secured to the wall to make the drop down.
There are sections of man made ditches then they will open into a lake. The lakes here look to be very shallow and are choked with some type of aquatic weeds. The channel is clear, and very well marked. What surprises me the most is that the water is so clean, even in the lock chambers it's clear.
Look for new photos in the trip album. We aren't far from Demopolis, only 177.3 river miles. We've come 1181.5 river miles from Captain's Quarters on the Beaver river, if my calculations are correct.
M/V The 69 Queen
1969 River Queen 40'
and a 24' Pontoon "Red Solo Cup"
Port of Fulton, MS
After the January floods on the Beaver, these stationary docks will be a welcome change! Imagine....no logs bump bump bumping under the boat, no frozen solid river in January, and no rowing to shore cause the water is high! We checked pricing between here and Demopolis and though they are comparable, this place has free cable tv and free WiFi. Also, Demopolis does not have covered slips available for a boat this size or above. I also like the idea of the spring fed lake for swimming, there are no gators in it.....
The down side: It's a dry county Will have to drive into Tupelo, MS for alcohol, which is @ 18 miles. The mosquitos are as thick as snow, I may have to buy stock in bug spray.
So, thank you for your interest in our trip. And for anyone who is planning the same in the next couple of years, don't hesitate to get in touch with me and I'll be happy to share more detailed pointers. ie: good and bad marinas and free spots.
Carol
M/V The 69 Queen
1969 River Queen 40'
and a 24' Pontoon "Red Solo Cup"
Port of Fulton, MS
Congradulations From the Pics it looks like a great place. Acually looks alot nicer than Demopolis. When the Beaver is frozen this year we will think of you in the nice weather.
Congradulations From the Pics it looks like a great place. Acually looks alot nicer than Demopolis. When the Beaver is frozen this year we will think of you in the nice weather.
And we will think of CQ and the BVYC..........and the multitude of friends left behind.
M/V The 69 Queen
1969 River Queen 40'
and a 24' Pontoon "Red Solo Cup"
Port of Fulton, MS
Beaver River to Demopolis, AL
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Unfortunatly the stock of IC Light is dwindling! 
Originally Posted by hurlboat
Will have to drive into Tupelo, MS for alcohol, which is @ 18 miles. The mosquitos are as thick as snow, I may have to buy stock in bug spray. 