Ohio River, Fort Massac

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Stats:
Diversion Canal on the Mississippi to Ft. Massac Creek, Ohio River.  6:45 - 5:00.  92 miles.

The passage down the rest of the Mississippi was uneventful.  We got an early start with the goal of putting some miles down.

It wasn't long before we finished the Mississippi leg of our journey and we were hanging a left onto the Ohio River.  We had to travel the Ohio river upstream, which made a BIG difference in our speed. Up until now we were benefiting from the current helping to push us along.  Our boat typically does about 8 knots.  With the benefit of the push from Mississippi's flow we were mostly speeding along into the double digits.  Now, with one left turn, we were heading upstream on the Ohio and our mileage dropped from around ten to twelve knots per hour to six(ish) with the same rpms.  UGH!

On the left is the Mississippi, on the right is the Ohio River. We came down the Mississippi, and once we hung our left

to go up the Ohio, which is upstream, our speed dropped substantially.

The junction of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers is EXTREMELY industrial, with tows and barges EVERYWHERE.  Tows and tugs were buzzing around, a train was passing overhead, the wind was howling and the waves and opposing current were at war.  It was a harry few moments.

This is the construction of a new lock on the Ohio River.  It was a little intimidating to approach, wondering just where the heck we were supposed to go to make our way through the mess amongst all the tow boats and barges.  Yikes

Soon things settled down.  We watched as bands of weather approached and passed, but by watching the clouds we were able to either slow down or speed up enough to avoid the rain pockets.

We found a free dock at the launch ramp of a little town and settled in for the night, enjoying a delicious dinner in the cockpit, watching the sunset while the winds and waves picked up.  Yep, the storm was closing in.

                             Yummy dinner.

                                                                 
                                                                     Our home for the night.  We fit on that dock, right??

Out of that wavy, windy sunset we noticed a canoe with two people paddling to beat the band.  They got closer and came in for a landing on the loading dock off the stern of our boat.  We immediately noticed the Canadian flag and, could it be??  A LOOPER burgee.  Seriously?   It turns out they are fellow "loopers" doing the great loop in a canoe!  Wow!  Here is their website:  www.wildravenadventure.com  AND, they have their dog onboard as well!!

We exchanged looper cards, stories, had a beer and they were off to get their camp set up for the night. We offered the pull out couch but like true adventurers, they're independent and have their routine.

Fellow loopers, arriving by canoe. They sold their sailboat and decided to do the loop by canoe.
When asked why, their answer was "Ach, too easy in a sailboat."  LOVE IT!!!