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2012-05-19 tl;dr: I couldn't lock through Kentucky Dam, so I had to portage over. I'm now on Kentucky Lake. Lots of boats. I paddled up to the Kentucky Dam. The website I found said to use VHF channel 16. I was then told by another boat to switch to 13. I was then told to switch to 14. Had I done no research I would have started on 14. Even then the operator didn't respond right away. He said the lock would be closed for another three hours, and then the barges would be let through. I asked for and received the best route to portage: a seventy foot climb under the watchful eyes of boatloads of fisherman, who, as usual, had plenty of advice, but no real desire to help. In fact, there was a guy fishing from the bank where I landed, and when he figured out my intentions he skedaddled. Just as I was pulling the kayak up the last few feet, a guy at the top spotted me and rushed over to help get it over the guard rail, so that was helpful. The guy then proceeded to tell me about people who had drowned on the river--all people who got too close to a dam while not wearing a life vest, things I'm careful about.After trudging upriver for so long at barely 3 mph, I was very much ready to get on the flat water and paddle...3 mph. I spent all day paddling into the wind. It turns out it makes a difference. There are a lot of boats on Kentucky Lake. A lot. I can say with some certainty that I've never been in the midst of so many boats. Ever. There are fishing boats, and pontoon boats, and cigar boats, and racing boats, and house boats, and jet skis, and sail boats, and yachts. The only boats I never did see were towboats, so I guess they are all still waiting for the lock. I also didn't see any kayaks, save for a little toy kayak somebody was tooling around in near a campground. But every other boat with a motor was present. They all drive up and down this lake continuously. Some idle along. Most scream past. The water is a choppy mess. And, apparently, next week it gets busy. I must finally be getting south, because I am spotting lizards, and restaurants are back to serving Coke. Also, two girls at a beach told me they like my "canoe." |
 good morning Kentucky   approaching the Kentucky Dam  lock is closed  fish fed flock  fishermen below the dam  big climb ahead of me   Grand Rivers marina  boats boats boats  some beach  more boats   rocky shore   |