Paducah to “The Land Between”

I was so looking forward to being able to tie up to a dock in Paducah after 2 anchorages. We were traveling with our merry band of tugs and friends (3 Ranger tugs, Lord Nelson Tug and our Nordic Tug). What a great group of people. Anyway, the 5 of us finally arrived at Paducah with the wind howling. The people already at the dock were helpful in assisting each of us as we approached the floating dock. Once docked our boat was really rocking in the wind so much so that staying on board made me sick. Thankfully the wind died down as evening approached. It was very windy both days we were in Paducah.

The pictures of the dock show just how high the Ohio River can get. Right now the river is low.

Paducah is known for the Quilt Museum. These aren’t your grandmothers type quilts. Each quilt was amazing. It was very hard not to touch each one and see how they done. It had to stand very close to lots of them and look at each detail. I really wanted to see the back of each one, but they were all hanging on the wall which made it impossible to see the handiwork from the backside.

The murals on the flood walls depicted the history of the city. One artist painted all the murals and he comes to touch-up the murals on occasion to keep the pictures looking sharp. What an amazing history of this riverside town. Tim and I also visited the Riverfront Discovery Museum.

Part of the history of Paducah was the flood of 1937 which flooded most of the town. You can see in the picture the height of the flood waters that year.

We ate with our looper friends at Over/Under….check it out if you are ever in town. Don’t forget the ice cream store just down the street too.

After two nights in Paducah we motored to Green Turtle Marina which in the Land Between the Lakes in Kentucky. I was very happy to have finger docks on either side of our boat as well as getting a pump out of our blackwater. We met up with our tug friends again….they left Paducah after one day. When they left Paducah before us my heart was very sad. I had to process this sadness and realize that I need to keep my heart open to new friendships even as they come and go in this journey. But it sure felt good to see these new friends in Green Turtle Marina for 2 more days–eating at Patti’s (a must if we visit again), Walmart trip, swimming in the pool, dinner at the Yacht Club, laundry. Non-highlight: falling on the dock and hurting my knee….so embarrassing!!! Because of that fall, news got around and I got to hear everyone’s embarrassing falls….not sure if that was meant to make me feel better =).

We stayed 3 nights are Green Turtle Marina which was wonderful. Both Tim & I slept very well at night. I think when you are at anchor we sleep with “one eye open” to make sure we are still anchored and not floating down the river.

Friday we left for Nashville. It’s about 150 miles so we are taking it in 3 segments. As I write this we are anchored behind an island in the river. The wind is gently blowing and the temps are very comfortable. we will be soon serenaded by a trumpet player who plays every night at anchor and in the locks as the door closes. Someday we may figure out video. 😉