Events:
Left the scenic docking in Beardstown at 07:10, traveled 88miles over 7.5 hrs, arriving at Grafton Harbor Marina at 14:40/2:40pm. Lots of debris requiring occasional boat steering for the first 2 hours, then quiet albeit fast water thereafter. The current was at least 2 mph and we cruised at 12mph on only 1600 rpm. The La Grange Lock/Dam is another wicket type and the wickets were down so we just sailed right through [at idle, no wake speed]. We had 3 bridges we had to radio to be raised because of the high water - normally we could have dropped the radar array and gone through, but not with a 5 ft higher water pool.
The Grafton Harbor Marina is a nice stop; 300 slips with 60 transients; an Oyster bar-restaurant, large store/office/liquor, laundry/showers/etc. Staff helpful in docking and great in the office. They have a courtesy car which the admiral will use to get some groceries.
Photos:
Several of the marina; will get some more tomorrow. One showing the wake behind a red buoy due to the strong current from the high waters in the river. One shows the unnecessary guests we had in Beardstown in the morning - have had them several times; they must be attracted to the white reflective finish. It is easier to sweep them up than try to wash most of them away.
From the Admiral:
Another hot one!! Poor a/c units are running their little hearts out. Apparently, hopefully, starting Friday we'll have a few cooler days. High 80s rather than high 90s. Fingers crossed.
A good trip today. Not much traffic and the scenery was lovely. We saw fewer industrial sites and even a couple of corn fields. Also tree covered hills. We've transitioned into more typical southern vegetation along the shores. No northern pine or spruce. In fact I think we saw some kudzu!!
The river water looks like mud. Even though the depth is at least 9ft, just below the surface it looks like mud being churned up from the bottom. The high water levels from earlier rain and the current is the apparent cause, although it could be the norm. Yucks up the filters as well as looking yucky. The debris in the water requires constant vigilance. The muddy water makes it hard to spot and the tows churn up everything. We managed to avoid hitting anything today. Hopefully the diver can switch out the props without us needing a haul out. We'll need to do a routine haul out after we get home so would hate to do two. They're expensive even before any work is done.
I plan to take out the courtesy car tomorrow. Rob was told it was an F150 that needed to be cleaned up first. This means it's really bad and needs cleaning to be ok to sit in or it's nice enough to just need a quick clean.
It's a bit unsettling to read that Alabama ranks with the states with the lowest vaccine rates and the highest infection rates in the country; with almost all the new infections occuring within the unvaccinated population. We had hoped to return to a better situation, and not be contemplating masks indoors again.
Time to say goodnight.
Plans:
The diver will come tomorrow to check our props for damage and then we decide whether to switch them for the spares we have; no vibration would allow us to go a bit faster if necessary when trying to cover more distance on the Mississippi or when going upstream on the Ohio to get into the Tennessee.
Comments:
Ann R • 29 Jul, 2021 - At least it’s a great truck - F-150s are awesome! Looks like you are back in civilization again. Bet DA has an awesome mustache from the river!
ErnieR • 29 Jul, 2021 - Hopefully this will be last prop change before home. Speaking of home, you might want to slow down a little to give everyone in Alabama a chance to get vaccinated (not!!). Am sure courtesy truck just needs dusting out!