MADISON, IN TO LOUISVILLE, KY

Thursday, August 14th, 2014

Day 10
Miles Traveled Today: 45
Total Miles Traveled: 264


  The Ohio River is a lot wider in this section of the river. We cruised along listening to Johnny Cash's song "Big River" and enjoyed the scenery. 

The vast Ohio River

  We also enjoyed seeing the aviary wildlife - ospreys, herons, geese, and a parrot.  Yes, a parrot.  You never know what you are going to see on the river.

A parrot on the Ohio River?  Yes, it is!

  We cruised by Louisville Water's original Pumping Station and historic Water Tower.  Built in the Classical Revival architecture style, it really stands out next to the more plain newer pumping station.  It started operation in 1860 and ceased in 1912.  It currently houses the WaterWorks Museum.
http://www.louisvillewatertower.com/content/louisville-waters-original-pumping-station-historic-water-tower  

Louisville Water original Pumping Station and historic Water Tower

 

  We docked at the Great Lawn free public docks in downtown Louisville.  These docks have free power and water, and, are walking distance to all the downtown attractions.  This is a great place to tie up and stay a day or two to see the city.

View from our dock - downtown Louisville, KY

  We spent the rest of the afternoon walking around town.  There are nice gardens, sculptures, and water features to admire.  A sculpture of George Rogers Clark, known as the "Father of Louisville", sits in the center of the riverfront right along the river.  He seems to be pointing at the "Falls of the Ohio" near where he built his fort on Corn Island.  He was the highest ranking American military officer on the northwestern frontier during the American Revolutionary War. 

George Rogers Clark

  Another highlight of the walk was seeing the Belle of Louisville.  She is the oldest operating  Mississippi style steam-driven paddle wheeler in the country.  She was built in 1914 and was initially named Idlewild.  She was renamed the Belle of Louisville in 1962.  For more about her history go to:http://www.belleoflouisville.org/timeline.html 

Belle of Louisville

                                   

Belle of Louisville - stern wheel

  We ended the day with a great dinner with some great people - Dan's nephew and his family.  They took us to Wick's Pizza Parlor - the best pizza in Louisville.  We had the Big Wick and it was delicious!  Check it out at: http://www.wickspizza.com/how-it-all-started.html
We had to take another walk after dinner to burn off all the calories.