November 2022 - Crossed our wake to complete The Great Loop!

 November 2022

Map of Americas Great Loop

11/1/22 Olmsted Lock Kentucky- Huge, amazing lock and dam! This lock/dam was completed in September of 2018. It was built to replace 2 aging, wooden locks. These older locks were no longer able to meet current traffic demands. The new towboats are capable of pushing 25,000-ton loads, longer and using diesel power.  Olmsted lock consists of two 110' x 1200' locks. Contrary to popular belief these structures have no effect on flood levels. They neither reduce nor increase flood levels, but are solely intended for navigation. These towboats are the most economical mode for transporting bulk items such as coal, grain, petroleum and chemicals. The strategic placement of this lock provides a connection between the Ohio, Tennessee, Cumberland and Mississippi Rivers. More tonnage passes this point than any other place in America's inland navigation system. This project will produce economic benefits of more than $640 million! Also total lockage time will be reduced from 5 hours to less than an hour! Which is also a win for "Loopers"! Some friends took beautiful pictures of Daydream with an orange sunset background!

 

11/2-3/22 Paducah KY – Briefly on the Ohio River. 

Took a nice bike ride to the store, poor Kent hauled back a big load! We passed through a lovely park where Christmas lights were being put up for the holidays! Due to past river flooding the town has a wall system to shut down the roads near the river! Locals painted beautiful murals on the walls! Delicious dinner with our new friends and sharing docktails!

 

11/4-6/22 Grand Rivers KY – We all stayed at Green Turtle Bay Marina. Upon return from a walk into town we found a lovely flower arrangement on the back of Daydream. Some of the boaters had a tradition of passing on an arrangement and each boater adds something of theirs to it. Learned a new drink “tiny beers” and walked through their gorgeous Christmas lights display! From here we split with our flotilla and turned into the Cumberland River.

11/7/22 Dover Tennessee – Interesting cruise through trees, pretty park and massive flock of "coots". Nice anchorage in Lake Barkley where Bodie got to “run very fast and free”!

 

11/8/22 Clarksville TN

11/9/22 Ashland City TN (Riverview Restaurant Dock) Best catfish ever! I especially enjoyed the grilled catfish. We had a lovely view of the river from our table! Fun to see everything from mansions to old cabins along the river.

 

11/10-14/22 Nashville TN – So much fun to go to Nashville by boat!  Some boating friends and friends we made while in Hawaii met us here! Beautiful buildings, brightly lit bridges, sunsets, boats, and bars! We heard several amazing bands; music here is just at a different level than most places. We had wonderful gourmet (and some bar) food and had such a great time with friends! Imagine my glee when we walked up from the dock to find Titans stadium across the parking lot AND they were played the BRONCOS! I talked with Bradley and Jordan that night and they encouraged me to try and get a ticket. So I went up that morning, in 35* weather, in search of a ticket. I found a group selling 1 ticket and they were Bronco fans! I had the best time, even though Broncos lost!

 

11/15/22 Ashland City TN – Back up the Cumberland River to Kentucky Lake

11/16/22 Clarksville TN

11/17/22 Cadiz KY (Prizer Point Marina)

 

11/18/22 Aurora KY – Crossed over into Kentucky Lake then back into the Tennessee River.

 11/19/22 Oak Hill TN (Paris Landing)

 

11/20/22 Camden TN (Birdsong Marina w/Freshwater mussel pearls) – We read about the freshwater mussel pearls so we took the very skinny channel up to the marina. I found a lovely pair of fresh pearl studs! Marina is complete with sunken barge and grain elevator.

 

11/21/22 Clifton TN

 

11/22/22 Counce TN (Pickwick Landing) We made it back into Pickwick Lake, convergence of TN/MS/AL!

 

11/23/22 CROSSED OUR WAKE ENTERING THE TEN-TOM WATERWAY!!! 🌊

WE COMPLETED OUR GREAT LOOP!🚢

We've lived on Daydream for 2 ½ years, waiting for the Canadian border to open, so we could complete our Great Loop!  

Needless to say, we were exuberant! Found a small cove with a lovely waterfall, uncorked the champagne and started the Celebration! This is an accomplishment only about 200 boats make each year! So many extremes of trials and successes! We spent time talking about places, friends, events and memories made along the way!  

11/23-24/22 Florence TN (Happy Thanksgiving) Kent made 2 delicious gamehens with the fixins.

 

11/25-28/22 Moved out of Florence, with a glorious sunrise, through Wilson Lock and into Wheeler Lake.

 

11/29-30/22 Cruised to Guntersville Lake, passed the gorgeous Painted Bluff and pulled into the marina just before dark and a thunderous storm hit! We were able to get a spot under the roof! Next morning was lovely smooth water and sunshine!