CINCINNATI, OH TO FLORENCE, IN

Friday, August 8th to Tuesday, August 12th, 2014

Day 4-8
Miles Traveled on Tuesday: 65
Total Miles Traveled: 190


  We spent the weekend visiting family and had a wonderful time.  We returned to Cincinnati on Sunday and had a great evening with some great friends.  Thanks Jim, Susan, Don, and Venna for a wonderful evening with delicious food and plenty of entertainment. 

Jim, Dan, Susan, Angie, Venna, Don

  Monday was another busy day.  In the morning, Dan put on the new alternator that we picked up on the way to the family visit.  This was the third time he had taken off and put on an alternator in the past 2-3 weeks.  As with any fix it job, it was not without challenges.  The new one did not come with the pulley mechanism, so the one on the old alternator had to be put on the new one.  Dan was unable to get it off the old one, so he walked up to SeaRay of Cincinnati and was able to get one of their mechanics to do the job.  After that, he was able to put in on without difficulty and our batteries are much happier.
  Dan's nephew and his family came for lunch and a cruise on the Seahorse (between rain showers).  Dan helped the great nieces to drive the boat, which they really enjoyed.  For dinner we went to the Montgomery Inn Boathouse (the best ribs in Cinci) with the Wolfe's.  They are long time AGLCA members and "Gold Loopers".  Guess what the dinner conversation was about - yes, the Loop.  We had a wonderful evening and gained a lot helpful tips about taking this trip.  


  Tuesday morning we cast off our lines and the journey continued.  The cruise today was pretty "bumpy".  There was a strong wind going against the current which was causing a lot of white caps and waves, some about 2-3 feet.  Seahorse handled these conditions without any problems.  
  We passed by downtown Cincinnati, which in the 1850's was the pork-packing capital of the world and called "Porkopolis".  At that time it was also the nation's largest inland port.  It currently is home to the Cincinnati Reds, previously the Red Stockings, which is America's oldest professional baseball team.  The Reds stadium is right in downtown Cinci.

Downtown Cincinnati with The Great American Ballpark to the right

  Another interesting structure in Cincinnati is the Covington - Cincinnati Suspension Bridge.  When it was completed in 1866, it was the world's longest suspension bridge.  It lost this distinction in 1883 when the Brooklyn Bridge was built.  It has some beautiful architecture. 

Covington - Cincinnati Suspension Bridge

One side of Covington - Cincinnati Bridge

  To continue with "You Never Know What You Are Going to See on the River", we saw not one, but two, amphibious planes.  Both were around Rising Sun, IN.  One was on the bank.

Plane on bank of Ohio River

  The other we got the pleasure of watching take off.  It was a site to see. 

Amphibious plane on Ohio River getting ready for take-off

  We ended our day at Turtle Creek Harbor Marina.  This marina is off the river and is run by some very nice people.  It is a great place to stop on the way to Louisville, KY.  It is close to Belterra Casino and a courtesy car from the casino will come and pick you up at the marina and bring you back.  We did not take advantage of this service on this trip, but have in the past. 

  It has been an exhausting but enjoyable past five days.