SO THIS IS WHERE WE LIVE

  We thought we would take this time to show you all where we live.  Probably should have done this earlier, but better late than never.  It is not a lot of space, but it could be worse.  We are living in about 300-400 square feet of cabin space.  This presents a challenge to even the best organizers.

  Our main indoor living area, also called the salon, is an "all in one" living room, office, dining room, and kitchen.  It is small but cozy.  

"All in One"

  We replaced the original couch with a much more comfortable and versatile piece.  It is actually 3 sectional chairs hooked together.  We can make it one sofa or 3 separate chairs depending on our needs.  It is easy to move which is important since the engine lies beneath the living room and requires lifting floor panels to gain access.

Comfy couch

  
  Our kitchen, or galley, has a 3 burner propane gas stove and oven.  The oven is small and there will be no big Thanksgiving Day turkey coming out of this oven, but it meets our needs.  We grill out a lot and also plan to eat out more as we visit towns and cities along our journey.  We have a large stainless steel sink with both hot and cold water just like in any home.  The refrigerator is 3/4 size and sometimes it can be challenging to find room for everything.  We keep water, soft drinks, and other beverages in a cooler in the cockpit to help with space.  We only buy enough perishable food for about 1 week, any more and the door won't shut.

Compact kitchen - Microwave, fridge, coffee maker, stove/oven, and sink. What more do you need?

  Yes, we do have a bathroom.  Also called the head.  There is a separate shower stall which is very nice.  Many smaller boats have a shower and toilet area all in one, so when you shower the entire bathroom gets wet.  The toilet is electric, run by the boat batteries, and flushes with the push of a button.  

Separate shower stall

Bathroom

  The master bedroom, or stateroom, has a queen size bed and is very comfortable.  We are limited on closet space, so have brought enough clothes to last about 2 weeks.  Mostly we wear shorts and T-shirts, but do have a couple of nicer outfits in case we get the urge to go more upscale when we dine out.

Master bedroom

  We do have accommodations for guests.  This bed, or berth, actually lies under the kitchen.  It is a queen size bed.  When no guests are aboard it is used for extra storage space, which there never seems to be enough of on boats.

Guest room
(I won't show you what it looks like as a storage room)

    
  We spend most of our time outdoors.  Either driving from the upper deck, or flybridge; or relaxing in the cockpit, which is like a back porch.  These areas give us more living space.

Decorated for the Fourth of July

  So, this is where we live.  Hope you enjoyed the tour!


    

ASHLAND, KY TO FRANKLIN FURNACE, OH

Saturday, July 5th, 2014

Day 31
Miles Traveled Today: 17
Total Miles Traveled: 696




  Saturday completed our "Shake Down Cruise" as we entered our home port at Holiday Point Marina.  After almost 700 miles, 31 days, 22 locks, 106 engine hours, 18 generator hours, 3 marinas, 7 anchorages, and 6 free docks, we were excited to be back home.  Despite some challenges, the trip was enjoyable and educational.  We learned a lot about our vessel and ourselves.  The good news was we both were aboard, smiling, and ready for the next adventure.

Captain Dan at the helm - see his smile

  This landmark marks the entry to our marina and belongs in the category "You never know what you are going to see on the river".  Is it an alien spacecraft or some work of art?  It is actually an oval concrete boat that at one time did float !  Wow !!

Marks entry to Holiday Point Marina - concrete boat. 

  Upon arrival into the marina we were met by a Welcome Back crew complete with fresh apple fritters.  YUM!

Dan and Angie with Jim and Teri

Ryan, Howard, and Kim

  
  Our view just before entering the channel to our marina was the Greenup Lock and Dam.  This is our gateway to The Great Loop and where our adventure will continue again starting the first part of August.  

Greenup Lock and Dam - Gateway to Our Great Loop Adventure

  We plan to spend the rest of July doing some final preparations for The Great Loop trip.  The Shake Down Cruise did its job and gave us some things that needed to be changed, repaired, added, etc. before casting off for the big trip.  We also plan to catch up with family and friends and enjoy some time with them before we leave again.  


  Signing off for now.  But stay tuned, more posts will come. 

POINT PLEASANT, WV TO ASHLAND, KY

Thursday, July 3rd to Friday, July 4th, 2014

Day 29-30
Miles Traveled Thursday and Friday: 40 and 17
Total Miles Traveled: 679



  Thursday we traveled to Adam's Landing Marina in Huntington, WV.  There we met up with Kelly and Terri who keep their boat, "In Deep Ship", at our home port during the winter.  They took us to a great restaurant in Huntington called The Black Sheep Burrito and Brews.  This restaurant is known for it's specialty tacos and burritos.  They had about 15 different varieties of tacos.  Our favorites were the Baja Fish and the Hawaiian.  Take a look at the menu:  http://www.urbanspoon.com/cities/167/restaurants/1623718/menu_photos/303729   


  Friday took us back into our home port "cruising grounds".  We passed the Southernmost point in the state of Ohio - South Point.  Not quite the same view as the Southernmost Point in the United States found in Key West. 

South Point, Ohio

  We also passed a "famous" river - The Big Sandy.  This river is formed by Levisa Fork and Tug Fork.  Near Tug Fork one of the most notorious family feuds occurred between the Hatfields of West Virginia and the McCoys of Kentucky.  

The Big Sandy River

  We decided to celebrate our Fourth of July in Ashland, KY anchored out with our friend Howard and his step-son, Ryan. Howard cruised up to Ashland on his boat, "Something Special", from our home port, Holiday Point Marina.  Ashland, KY hosts Summer Motion with a free concert and fireworks on the water.  Many come to the festivities, both by land and by water.  Seeing the fireworks on the water is spectacular.  It was a GREAT celebration !

Howard sitting on his boat watching the land activities

Great Fireworks on the Ohio River

  HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY TO EVERYONE!!!

POMEROY, OH TO POINT PLEASANT, WV

Wednesday, July 2nd, 2014

Day 28
Miles Traveled today: 15
Total Miles Traveled: 622



  Another short cruising day gave us ample time to explore Point Pleasant, WV.  There is a lot of history in this town.  This town was named by George Washington in 1770.  We started our tour with a visit to Tu-Endie-Wei State Park which was within walking distance of the town dock.  About the park: http://www.tu-endie-weistatepark.com/facilities.html 

Tu-Endie-Wei Start Park - picture taken from the river

  Tu-Endie-Wei is an Indian phrase meaning "the point between two waters".  Point Pleasant, WV is at the confluence of the Kanawha River and the Ohio River.  It was here on October 10th, 1774 that Colonel Andrew Lewis defeated Chief Cornstalk.  Many consider this battle to be the first of the American Revolution.  A monument for this battle stands in this park.  

Battle of Point Pleasant Monument

  Also at this park is "The Mansion House".  It was erected in 1796 by Walter Newman as a tavern and home and is now preserved as a museum.  It is known as being the oldest hewn log house in the Kanawha Valley. 

"The Mansion House"

  We continued our tour at the Point Pleasant River Museum.  This museum has a lot of artifacts and models for the Sternwheel Era.  Within this museum is a pilot house simulator that can actually train river pilots.  Dan tried his hand at the helm of a river tow boat.  Angie captained a speed boat.  What fun !!

Captain Dan at helm of tow boat - sort of

For more on this museum:  http://www.pprivermuseum.com/default.html



  We ended our town tour with the Mothman Museum.  Yes, you've read this correctly!  The Mothman Museum.  What is the Mothman you ask?   He is a legendary moth-like creature that was reportedly seen between November 1966 and December 1967 in areas of West Virginia.  In December of 1967 the Silver Bridge connecting Kanauga, Ohio with Point Pleasant, WV collapsed into the Ohio River.  Forty-six people were killed.  This creature is said to have predicted the collapse.  Do you believe ?  
Read more at:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mothman

Mothman Statue in town

Is this the real Mothman?  YIKES !!

MARIETTA, OH TO POMEROY, OH

Monday, June 30th to Tuesday, July 1st, 2014

Day 26-27
Miles Traveled on Monday and Tuesday: 63 and 15
Total Miles Traveled: 607



  As we traveled down the river, we passed the fifth largest island on the Ohio River - Blennerhassett Island. This island has quite a bit of history.  Is was the home to Harman Blennerhasett and his wife Margaret.  In 1806, Harman became entangled in a mysterious military enterprise with Aaron Burr.  As a result, President Thomas Jefferson accused both men of plotting treason in attempting to establish an empire in the Southwest.  The island is now a historical state park and is only accessible by water.  The Island Belle takes visitors to and from the island.  

The Island Belle on Blennerhasset Island

To see more about the history of the Blennerhassets and Blennerhasset Island click on this link: http://www.blennerhassettislandstatepark.com/history.html

  We ended our travels Monday anchored at Letart Island, WV.  Dan says that the name sounds "Frenchy".  The problem is he doesn't speak French.  
  This was a nice and quiet anchorage with wild life entertainment.  We don't know why this raccoon didn't invite us to share his great fish find.  It was fun to watch this little (or not so little) critter.  Although, keep in mind, we had no TV, cell coverage, or internet service this evening.  So watching grass grow may have been entertaining.

Raccoon feasting on fish

  Tuesday was a short cruising day to Pomeroy, OH.  Pomeroy is a very narrow town built along a hillside.  The Meigs County Courthouse here at Pomeroy is mentioned in "Ripley's Believe It or Not".  This building can be entered from the ground level on three separate floors because it was built into the hillside.  There are some nice shops along Front street, which has the town on one side and river on the other.  Not only were these shops nice, they also were air conditioned, which was a blessing since the heat index was 100 degrees. 

Meigs County Courthouse

  We tied off to a dock at the Wild Horse Cafe.  http://www.thewildhorsecafe.com/
The food was so good that we ate there for both lunch and dinner.  The favorite was the pralines and cream ice cream at lunch.  FIVE SCOOPS !  We had no choice but to walk it off in the afternoon heat. 

Wild Horse Cafe - Dan tried to take a ride