August 8 - 10, 2018
Dockhand Trent suggested we might want to rent a golf cart
for our stay in Madison, IN, this Wednesday overnight. Golf carts seem to be
THE way to travel in Madison, but the $45 cost was a bit pricey (more than the
dockage) for no more than we’d use it. As alternate, Clay suggested we could
offload and ride our bikes. Great idea but for the long ramp’s very steep
incline which I knew would be a challenge just to drag ourselves to the top.
Clay and I gawked at the height of the pilings (wayyyy up there in the sky),
then realized that the recent Ohio River floods had the docks floating at the
top. The equation started making sense!
Before dinner, Clay and I spent time on our computers,
amazed that we had connectivity given the marina’s yesterday lightning strike
which rendered fuel pumps, computers and cash registers inoperable—it always
pays to carry a little cash. Quite appreciative of the computer time, Clay
attentively posted pictures of our recent travels on Facebook which I know many
of you enjoy; he’s rapidly filing my cloud storage as, for some reason, we
share my gmail account’s storage! He also checked local restaurant menus, a
passion of his.
I timed our walk as we climbed the ramp and wandered into
the town of Madison for dinner. True to my expectation, we stopped at the first
restaurant (fifteen minutes) on Clay’s wish list called The Red Pepperoni, a
pizza and craft beer restaurant. It was highly recommended and lived up to our
expectations. Fun to see cider on the beer and wine list! And, we ordered
enough for leftovers as we anticipated an overnight at anchor or town courtesy
dock without power and water pedestals tomorrow night.
Thursday ushered in a glorious day of sunshine and warming
temperatures. We took advantage of the cooler morning to wander this thriving
river town, a 77-minute walk in total during which we saw evidence of economic
prosperity and the town’s historic past. The architectural features of many of
the homes and buildings must date back to mid-to-late 1800’s and were, in most
cases, beautifully preserved. We came upon a majestic fountain and park in the
downtown area; it was quite obvious that Madison residents take pride in their
town—and have the means to financially support the maintenance and
improvements. One of the big annual events is unlimited hydroplane races on the
Ohio River which Clay commented he has always wanted to attend.
Following breakfast and our mid-morning departure (Clay
simply safely backed out, following his entrance breadcrumbs in this shallow
harbor), I spent much of the day frustrated in trying to reach upriver marinas
by phone to determine depth and availability of transient overnight docking.
Cell reception is worse than you might imagine on many stretches of the Ohio
River! I texted family that today had been about as exciting as watching grass
grow! We did easily handle Markland Lock in Warsaw, KY at MM 531.5, easy-peasy with
a lift of 24’ and floating bollards.
Clay drives with the river charts in his lap, making
detailed notes of fuel and pump out locations, potential anchorages and city
docks of some sturdiness to accommodate us on our return trip. He deviated from
the sailing line to check out the city dock in Rising Sun, IN (yes, there is
such a place) and was spellbound by the launching of a seaplane which of course
we had to watch take off—and land. Note: A harbormaster upriver and I had been
texting in an effort to combat poor cell reception, and he informed me “If
you’re lucky you’ll get to see him (the seaplane pilot) flip it over…he’s done
that before!” Clay and I were happy for the pilot that he made a safe take-off
followed by a safe landing. And, with the enticement of watching more seaplane
action, Clay opted to tie up in Rising Sun for the night. Leftovers then a late
evening trek to the Paddy Wagon, THE place in town for burgers and ice cream.
The one retired and two currently-employed teachers manned the tiny trailer,
slinging burgers, cones, banana splits in rapid fire to accommodate ball teams,
townsfolks and us. School started last Friday, so the teachers were, by
Thursday night, running on fumes!
What a great town name for logo designs! Rising Sun! How much
creativity does that invite? We saw evidence of many interpretations of Rising
Sun; even the high school mascot is the Shiners. Friday morning’s walk took us
in a loop past the elementary and high schools, down main street, and along the
riverfront where tributes to veterans and memorials to historic events were in
plentiful supply. In the distance upriver, we saw the gaming boat which we were
told had had a huge and positive economic impact on the town; much of the
riverfront development was compliments of the gaming boat being established in
Rising Sun. Wow! And the riverfront was impressive!
Following our Friday morning walk and breakfast we shoved
off upriver towards Cincinnati. I’m reading The Help, my sixth book of
the trip, so I’m focused and of little help to Clay except when he calls
me—which is often. At one point today, he said “I’m about to get hit;” we were
at a ferry crossing with a ferry heading our way. I said, “Let me grab the
camera; this may be the most exciting thing to happen on this trip!” Later, he
commented that he was busier than a one-armed paper hanger trying to track the
sights (marinas, etc.) along the way…as if we’re currently going that fast and
there are that many.
I keep up with family and friends, mostly through emails and
texting. Sus Facetimed this morning with grandkids Sam and Gwynn, then emailed
me a pix of Gwynn heartily enjoying fresh cherries with remnants (goo!) spread
all over her face! And, Kristen Snapchatted a video of John feeding William
where William was trying to suck the food, spoon and all, into his mouth. Fun
with all the sound effects. And further from Kristen, a video text of William
standing on his wobbly, little legs—he’s certainly growing fast! And, I truly
appreciate keeping up with all of you, our ‘SaSea Sally Crew,’ who respond to
my emails and tell me what’s going on in your lives! Thanks to all of you! One
of the hardest parts of this boating thing is being away from family and
friends!
A short five hours post departure from Rising Sun, we arrived
at the gas dock of Four Seasons Marina, Cincinnati, OH. Intent on taking
advantage of each and every fuel stop on the Ohio River, Clay pulled alongside
the gas dock, and we took on about 130 gallons of diesel; I sure liked the
price here much more so than the self serve dock at Juniper Beach!
Post fueling, Mark, a captains class instructor, caught our
lines at C8 and stayed to offer insight into the marina and the amenities
upriver toward Pittsburgh. He was quite informed, but his focus was on gasoline
engines and traveling long distances delivering boats. While he and Clay played
school, I quickly made up the front stateroom bed (quick is a misnomer; it’s
not an easy task by any stretch of the imagination) and tried to make the boat
presentable, expecting as we were, houseguests for the evening. What a joy to
welcome Lloyd and Diane Peterson aboard and have opportunity to spend the
evening with them!
And, as they arrive, I will sign off and report back on the
evening they have planned for us in Fountain Square!
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