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Trip Day:
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213
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Latitude:
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37°00.44 '
N
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Locks Today:
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0
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Miles Today:
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0
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Longitude:
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088°13.57'W
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Locks Total:
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95
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Total Miles:
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4,482
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Location:
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Grand Rivers, KY
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By eight o’clock we were stepping off the boat as the crew pulled her into the Boat Works bay.
Since KatMan2 had their mast stepped here on Monday, the crew commented they had already practiced on this type of catamaran. The raising went smoothly and we were back in our slip within an hour. 
Now the real work began. Ron fine-tuned the rigging, we attached the boom, then we raised the main, inserting the battens as it went up. The jib was next, then the screecher. With all the sails up and the lines run, we took a break. I had intended to blog, since we had good connectivity, but I took a nap instead.
Early in the afternoon we made the decision to remain at the marina for one more day to relax. About half the boats left today to head to Joe Wheeler State Park in Alabama for the Great Loop Fall Rendezvous which we are not attending.
We both commented we felt guilty taking long, hot showers failing to conserve water in any way. The facilities at this marina are very nice and a real treat in this cooler weather. We also took advantage of shore power, running the heat to dry out the boat and sleep in a cozy, warm space.
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 9th - GRAND RIVERS, KY
B-r-r-r-r-r! Boy was it hard to crawl out from under the quilt and sleeping bag. Once we got the coffee started we realized we wouldn’t be going anywhere due to a heavy fog. So we took our time with breakfast and attempted to dry the condensation on the headliner and windows. After an hour the fog began to lift and we headed out, although I steered by the chartplotter for another 30 minutes due to poor visibility.
By noon we had made our way into Green Turtle Bay Marina. Don and Anita, aboard Limelight were leaving just as we arrived, so we said hello and goodbye as we passed. Hopefully we will see them again down river.
As soon as we were secure in the slip, I started the first two of four wash loads while Ron hooked up shore power and registered at the office. Hot showers and clean clothes—we were rejuvenated! We were off to the nearby Dockside Grill for lunch on land. The remainder of the day was spent preparing for the mast to be raised the next day. The temporary antenna and solar anchor light were removed, then we set about removing all the tie downs on the mast. Ron bought a new Windex and installed it on the top of the mast while he could reach it without being hoisted to the top.
Tomorrow the mast goes vertical!
MONDAY, OCTOBER 8th - DRYDENS CREEK
After breakfast we made plans to get underway. Ron went forward as usual to lift the anchor, then motioned for me to power forward to break the anchor loose out of the mud. It didn’t. The anchor was stuck on or under something. I tried more throttle, only to get creaking from the strain on the anchor roller. Long story short, we tried forward gear,reverse and sideways to wallow the anchor out.
Foot by foot more anchor line was raised, so we were lifting something pretty heavy off the bottom. Ron was finally able to grab the trip line, attached an extension , and led it to the winch. Between winching the trip line, heaving on the anchor line, and powering forward and in reverse, we slowly got the anchor to the surface. Wound around it was fishing net, line and even a homemade concrete anchor; all still attached to more on the bottom. It took getting in the dinghy and cutting away this mess before we were clear to leave—two hours after starting the engine. What an ordeal, but at least we still have our main anchor.
It took a long time for the sun to burn the cold air away. Even the white pelicans were hunkered down against the cold .
As we entered Barkley Lake the waterway opened wide. Oddly, the channel runs from side to side, crossing the lake. Most of the expanse of water is flooded forest area and in some cases public domain confiscation of private land. So the channel still follows the winding path of the original river. Most of the lake is deep enough for small fishing boats, but the deep channel is maintained for tugs. Having no local knowledge of the area, we followed the channel for safety.
We saw very few boats today, it was just us and the fowl life. We followed the tapping sounds to locate two wood peckers on this dead tree. 
As we pulled into Drydens Creek we spotted a small cove about 80 feet across—just perfect for us to snuggle into for the night.
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