Kentucky Lake

The trip is over, for me.  We made it.  Tomorrow Dean will drive me back to Ottawa IL in a rental car and pick up his incoming crew in St Louis. They’ll continue south in a week or so.

Yesterday we had a pleasant ride up to and through Kentucky Dam, and stopped at Lighthouse Marina.  Nice quiet spot with groceries and a decent restaurant close by. And hot showers. Today is sunny and warm, and I’m enjoying sitting out while addressing some minor issues on the boat.  The Marina is deserted.  It’s still winter here.  They turn the water on Wednesday on the docks.

That was a fun trip.  The boat did fine, and I’ve come away quite impressed with it.  At 35 years old it’s holding up very well, and all the original systems and interior details were very well done. 

The dogs were fun to travel with.  We had some concerns about denying them shore access for days at a time, but they did their business on deck when they had to.  No major fuss.

Dean’s food planning and cooking was first rate.  His promise of good food was a large part of my motivation to go, and I wasn’t disappointed.

The only real disappointment was discovering that we did some damage to the rudder in the ice.  We hit solid ice in reverse getting out of Ottawa, and I can see now that it wedged between the hull and the top of the rudder and peeled away the skin on the top of the rudder.  The top foot or so will need rebuilding.  Dean has plans to haul in Mobile.

Safe travels Seaquel!  I’ll be home for a day or two then off to the English Canals.