Lock 52 , our unexpected anchor spot

Hi F and F, 

So now our little  flotilla is up to 10 boats going together south .

Two of the boats took off at a fast pace hoping to reach Green Turle Marina( another Mecca for all the loopers) That would mean a 130 mile  run in one day!

The rest of us followed at a slower pace.We were happy to keep up with our own little group and had planned to anchor out at the beginning of the Cumberland River heading down towards Green Turtle Bay.

Mel led us again although we passed a couple of  slower boats .At the first lock of the day Olmstead Lock  we ended up all together  as the front  runners  had to wait.  So now we're back to 10 boats again. The lock master had a boat escort us through this still be be completed lock .Supposed to breads 2020!

As we headed south , bigger barges were seen, and we carefully passed a 25 barges tow on a sharp corner. Although we passed the red buoy on the wrong side their was plenty of depth and the tow  barge captain knew that and advised us to go ahead.The tow barge operators are very helpful and polite and friendly for the most part .

You call them to see if it is one whistle or two whistles as you approach them.That will determine which side of their barges you will pass them on.

By 10 am we hit the Ohio River and now we were going up stream  north (current about 2 kts) and we changed over to red right returning ( red buoy on our right side).Less logs to encounter in this river

We arrived at the dreaded  Lock 52  around 2.pm.This is also a wicket dam , but because of the falling water levels that part was not in use.

This is a slow old lock with many barges using it and we had heard stories about it.Not good stories!

Initially the lockmaster was thinking  we would be about to get through in a couple of.hours , but by 

6.30 pm we still had not heard word. Then ,unfortunately a big heavy storm approached us and we anchored for safety. Four of the boats then up anchored as they had heard  they could come on in to the lock. I

The rest of us had heard nothing on the VHF and before we had time to get to the lock , the lockmaster had closed the doors on us and said we would have to wait til tomorrow morning!

The lock does take barge traffic all night long but said we were not included , and we had to be ready by 6 am, and he would try to get us through sometime in the morning. We were all pretty frustrated!

So we stayed anchored for the night, just off the lower part of the river and in front of the dam.

We had left over supper and went to bed early ready for the early morning start , we hope!

Over and Out, 

E and G