If You Think It's Hot Here...

The last week I've spent enjoying the 100 degree weather.  So far on my trip I've needed to wear long johns and use an electric blanket to the extreme of watching the mercury climb to 100 degrees and wearing wet t-shirts to stay cool.

Back on Lake Erie where the weather was cool.

Ohio River At Last

This morning I have finally reached the Ohio River.  She is much wider than the Mississippi and the current is pushing against me at 2 knots.  But even with the slow down, I'll be glad to reach the temporary home port at Warsaw, KY.  

Thanks to my friend, John, for finding the place and for helping me locate a ship yard that will help with the repair to the stuffing box, which is leaking.  

Where the Mississippi River meets the Ohio River

You just never know what you'll see....

Update Aug 31, 2013

Friday 23 August on the Illinois river from Hennepin to Peoria

Gary & Christelle, Mike & Yonetta out to a "free" chicken dinner.

Many thanks to Gary and Christelle for taking these pictures along the Illinois River.  They are friendly folks from Canada; here's a link to their Great Loop Journey Blog:  http://timeandtidetravels.blogspot.com/ 

"You load sixteen tons and what do you get?  Another day older and deeper in debt...St. Peter, don't call me 'cause I can't go...."  Well, it has been quite a day; but it's been one of the best of this trip.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIfu2A0ezq0

Sixteen Tons made it through several locks, even with the skipper's accent.  It was exciting and exhausting. The first lock was Lockport Lock in Chicago:

It was a long wait and then we were through.

It's amazing the people I have met along the way.  Must be the prayers that are said on my behalf.  It seems there's a helping hand at every turn.  Like Dave & Doris Ann from North Carolina, and a new couple Mike and Yonetta from Evansville, Indiana. http://mytherapygreatloop.blogspot.com/2013_03_01_archive.html 

Did not actually meet these Loopers

Chicago Sanitation and Shit Canal

Naita kun tulee vastaan suhteellisen kapeassa kanavassa tuntee itsensa - ah niin pieneksi. Ohi ne eivat menneet kun meilla kaikilla suurten jarvien kippareilla on sama mahtava 7 solmun vauhti.

When you meet this kind of ship in a relatively narrow channel you feel yourself oh so little.  They never passed me because all we Great Lake skippers have the same magnificent 7 knots speed.

Mackinac saarella pakottivat kiinnittamaan veneen kovassa vastatuulessa tallaiseen paikkaan. Kuvasta puuttuu vene, joka oli viela pienentamassa tilaa.

At Mackinac Island they forced me to fasten the boat in a heavy headwind in a place like this.  Earlier there was another boat parked in front of me but this is later when I took the picture; real "pocket parking".

Voisiko fillari enaan menna pienempaan tilaan?

Could you have a bicycle that is any smaller?