RAIN and MORE RAIN November 12, 2008

We awoke after 6 a.m. and found our boat surrounded by autumn trees. About 5 a.m. the rain pattered on our ceiling but lightened up when we pulled the anchors.

Catrina was on the River by 7 a.m. We found the 3 W's: Wind, Waves and Wet. With the same rpm's we got 4 mph rather than 6 mph. It was downright uncomfortable outside. We closed down the cockpit and moved into the settee.

Tom connected the GPS and autopilot inside so each could be used from the settee. Here is Debbie running the boat as she looks out the front window. The only feature missing was the depth finder.

In front of Debbie is a set of Corp of Engineers Charts lent to us by Wendy. They show every marker and curve on the river all the way to Mobile. We can look up distances, marinas or overnight mooring areas.

Above is part of one page that shows a railroad bridge with one section removed. The blue area is water. The lower bank show a finger of land (in grey) come out into the river. The diamonds are red and green markers indicating the channel. The straight line is the recommended sailing course. The upside down dashed lines are deeper channels to areas at the sides. The boats at the sides are mooring spots. Now let's look at the bridge.

One thing that Tom missed when he piloted the boat from inside was a seat with a back. Inspiration hit and he found a good use for his crutch!

Late in the afternoon the rain stopped. We noticed the leaves again. Before we were concerned with the rain, fog and poor visibility. We were very concerned about the barges and not knowing they were there until a few hundred feet away. All day only two barges passed us. The River had frequent curves and a narrower width with a smaller deep channel.

About 4 p.m. we pulled off the river at Cuba Landing. Water was low in the entrance channel and again Tom moved very slowly to the gas dock for a fill up and pump out. We decided to take advantage of the pool on the way in. Below is a picture of the route around the edge to the marina. Just picture our boat just behind the white/red marker. That is where we spent the night as the rain fell gently on the roof.

ON THE RIVER - ER - KENTUCKY LAKE November 12, 2008

While Carol and Debbie fetched 5 days of drinking water and straightened up the boat, the fearless three (Tom, Glenn and Wendy) resinstalled the motor and moved the dingy motor back to its original home. Yes, you do have to drop the motor from the cockpit into the pontoon and secure it to the mount. But you also have to hook up the raising line and gear and throttle cables.

By Noon our friends waved goodbye and we were off. Captain Tom took the wheel finding a way to keep his operated knee up. Debbie kept an eye on his eyes to make sure they were open!

We crossed the Lake from the west side to the east as two barges moved south or down river. During the afternoon we only saw about 7 barges total and all were headed the opposite direction. We are traveling south but are going up stream. Because of Kentucky Dam and Lock at the entrance to the lake, we are in "pool" - no current but we can have wind and waves. It was a good refresher lesson to pass barges on the wide part of the river with no current. Also we remembered that going up stream meant that our left side would be RDB - Right Descending Bank - and the left markers would be green.

Not only do we wish to travel to warmer temperatures (it was under 40 this morning) but we can enjoy fall in another area than palm trees and sand. The leaves along the shores are in full color and the channel usually goes adjacent to the east side of the lake.

Before we know it, four hours have passed and the sun is setting over the west shore. This is the view out our back cockpit door. We will have to get up early if we plan to make many miles during these "short" days.

The sunset is beautiful as we hurry to find a protected spot off the barge route to drop anchor.

We decide to go a couple miles further to Fort Heiman Cove RDB (west shore). We have been traveling at 6 mph. In just 20 minutes it is pitch dark. The clouds are pretty in a sunset but they hide the moon!

As we enter Fort Heiman Cove at mile 62.6 RDB, the last rays leave us. Thirty one miles today. The cove is behind the right bank and is deep and a couple hundred yards wide at the bottom. Tom crept Catrina along keeping a close eye on the depth finder. Debbie sat on the bow ready to drop anchor. The depth was about 15 feet when Tom flashed the light relaying the drop anchor command. We have been traveling with all windows closed to preserve heat so we improvised and found a non-verbal command.

You may not be aware but Tom is addicted to TV so we double moored. Debbie put out 150 feet of anchor bow anchor line. When we were firmly grounded, Tom shut down the motors and dropped the stern anchor. Then Debbie pulled in some of the bow anchor line so that Catrina was in the middle of the two anchors. If we removed the slack, it would hold the boat in one position and we would not slip off the satellite signal!

Debbie put the leftover fajita mexican take home into a salad, added salsa and sour cream and a side of baked beans for a quick and easy 5 p.m. TV supper. It has been a full first day back on the River!

CATRINA AT LAST November 11, 2008

Dr. Mark discharged Patient Tom with instructions not to fall OVERBOARD! Carol and Glenn loaded up their van with all our stuff (as much as we took off October 12) and hauled us to Kentucky Lake. We cannot thank them enough for such good delivery service, friendship and wheeled-vehicle storage!

On the way we stopped and picked up the repaired motor. Wendy and Joan had referred and taken us to this marina, the best in the their area, and they were able to repair the damage (versus sell us a new motor). Glenn and Tom "carted" the motor to Catrina while Carol and Debbie unloaded the rest of the van. Then it was off to Wendy and Joan's, a visit to our favorite mexican restaurant in Benton (they also have a taco bell), grocery shopping at Wally World (of course) and home to bed. After over a month it was wonderful to sleep in our own bed with the water gently rocking us to sleep!