Green Turtle Bay Resort Marina

Tuesday, October 2 – Thursday, October 11, 2012

Mike and I were so relieved to be in Green Turtle Bay Resort and Marina in Kentucky. Primarily because we had actually made it there.... but it was also a great place to relax. It seems other loopers agreed. The transient slips were overflowing. There was approximately 25-30 boats enjoying the friendly hospitality GTB has to offer. Boats of all shapes and sizes gathered here. The resort has an exercise room, sauna, indoor pool, salon, massages, 2 restaurants, courtesy cars...... It's a great place to chill. If you pay for 5 days the next two are free!

This says it all.

Mike had our boat lifted to inspect the rudders and have the bottom power washed. We had hit something on the Illinois coming out of a lock when a tow was entering. It sheared off some bolts on the rudders and Mike replaced them but it he wanted to have a closer look at them. It turns out the rudders were stiff but 2 of the props were tweaked. They had to be sent out to be matched and balanced, a three day job. No problem, we are hanging out for a while anyway. They pushed the Irish Attitude back to our slip, feeling slightly naked without her props.

 

Many nights were spent at the gazebo overlooking the marina. Loopers would gather there to introduce themselves, exchange cards and experiences. Some adventures were coming to an end while others are just beginning. It just depends on where you start.

              

 

Our days were spent doing laundry, washing the boat and touring the area. We walked into Grand Rivers and visited the shops along the main street. Patti’s 1880’s Settlement covers most of the acreage. It has a wonderful restaurant, many shops and even a pot belly pig that does tricks. Mike chose the pork chop and I elected the stuffed fillet mignon. Bread is baked in small flower pots. The wait staff must be able to recite all 17 pies served, not just a vague list but what’s in them. It’s an impressive feat so of course we had to share a piece. Delicious!!

Mint Sinker

"It's a rich, dark double fudge pie topped with mint chocolate ice cream, piled high with whipped cream, "drizzled" with créme de menthe and chocolate syrup, and topped with a cherry."

   

Anita, Don, Mike and I walked off our indulgence the next day. When guys headed back and Anita and I walked over to Kentucky Lake, to another marina. This area is call the Land Between the Lakes because Lake Barkley is on one side and Kentucky Lake is on the other. The Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers were expanded in this area by the construction of two dams. A canal connects the two. It’s a beautiful area. We walked out on a pier head that was being set up for a special occasion, a wedding maybe? We spoke with an elderly lady and she told us the tow boat tied up to the pier was being christened tomorrow. It was being named after her! She said she had retired at age 87 after 53 years and now at 90 years young, she was being given this honor. What a sharp lady.

The Hazel Demery

The village also has a theater, The Badgett Playhouse. The guys opted to stay behind and Anita and I went to musical variety night that had music from the 50’s to Disco! It was a fun night out. The same cast also performs two different shows that played during the week. It’s a very talented group of singer and musicians.

Another day we used a courtesy car to visit Paducah. Anita and I visited the National Quilt Museum. Not my usual forte but I am glad I went. These are not your great-grandmothers quilts, as wonderful as those can be. These were truly works of art.



This 'quilt' was carved out of wood!

Lewis and Clark and their Shoshone guide, Sacagawea

 

Bronze statues in Paducah. Again Lewis, Clark and Sacagawea

Paducah is noted for the murals on the flood wall that protects the city. The scenes depicted on the river side are not equal to the representations that faced the city.



Adding life to art

Floods over the years



A heritage share by Mike's family

My Dad worked for the Illinois Central RR for many years

Lock and Dam

Tow Captain

The real thing

We had now spent over week at Green Turtle Bay. The staff was genuinely helpful and accommodating, making our stay very enjoyable but we were getting antsy to get on the water again. Unfortunately we could not go far without props. Many other boats moved on down the river while the Irish Attitude waited to be made whole again. Wednesday the props were in and as promised, she was moved to the lift area to finish the job. One more night at GTB and then it was off to Kentucky Lake and the Tennessee River.