“Longer but Shorter” - Huh?
The Mississippi River turned out to be far less intimidating than I had feared. There were plenty of 40 barge tows that were 1,200 feet long but there was also plenty of room to maneuver and avoid any close encounters of the disastrous kind. Along the way, I met a number of other Loopers in varying degrees of Loop completion. For the last several days I travelled with 2 other boats, Perfect Agenda, and Don’t Fret which helped the time pass on some of the longer travel days (96 miles one day). Unfortunately, they stopped for a rest day at Green Turtle Bay Resort but I pushed ahead because I’ve got places to go and people to see.
From Paducah, we were advised to take the Ohio River to the Cumberland River and south to Kentucky Lake that way because taking the shorter Tennessee River route would subject us to a long wait at the Kentucky Lock of perhaps 2-3 hours. Commercial traffic always gets priority over pleasure craft and the Kentucky Lock is the primary route from the Ohio River to the Tennessee River for commercial traffic. So, while is was double the distance for us, we had no barge traffic on the Cumberland at all and a clear lock chamber when we arrived resulting in a shorter overall journey.
I am currently heading up the Tennessee River toward Knoxville and expect to be there on 10/1. I will fly home for my obligatory doctor visit on the 4th and, because I am trying to not get to the Gulf Coast too soon and be exposed to the end of hurricane season, I will delay the resumption of the Loop until about the 25th. Projecting ahead, I expect to complete the Loop at Pensacola on or about 11/15 after covering more than 6,000 miles.
I've had plenty of beautiful sunsets on the Loop but this was probably the most colorful sunrise of the entire trip.
Schuyler at anchor about ready to weigh anchor and head out for the day. (photo courtesy of Perfect Agenda)
Schuyler traveling down the Mississippi River. (photo courtesy of Perfect Agenda)
A large welcoming sign at Cape Girardeau, Missouri on their flood control wall
My traveling companions aboard Don't Fret and Perfect Agenda
The flood wall at Paducah, Kentucky was filled with murals depicting their history. There are more than 60 murals in total.
11 Loopers at dinner in Paducah trading Loop stories
All kinds of Loop boats at Paducah.
Sunrise at Paducah
Part of the Cumberland River
An impressive home along the Tennessee River
My quiet anchorage for tonight