Friends on the river

Start Mile 463, just upstream of Cincinnati 

Last night I set up the boat for the usual night, but at 12:30 the rain returned.  Shower turned into heavy downpour, plus a wind from upstream (opposite the daytime pattern).. The boat could accommodate a light rain, but not this. As lightning flashed I am thundered, I lay in bed thinking about all of the rain coming aboard, and worrying that if I didn’t get up The boat could accommodate a light rain, but not this. As lightning flashed and thundered, I lay in bed thinking about all of the rain coming aboard, and worrying that if I didn’t get up, Water might come over the transom. The bow to stern heavy. I’ve pumped quite a bit while the rain continued to drill down. Back in the cabin, only my feet were damp, from a water might come over the transom. The bow to stern heavy. I’ve pumped quite a bit while the rain continued to drill down. Back in the cabin, only my feet were damp, from a leak above. Eventually the rain slowed and I got back to sleep.

At Mile 490, somewhere just passed Cincinnati, I am at the midpoint of the river.  Cincinnati seemed unapproachable and overwhelming, so I continued past.

Instead, the treat for the day was the town of Rising Sun. They had a “Welcome To...” sign and a good landing.

Rising Sun had been connected in its history with the town across the river, named Rabbit Hash.  Rabbit Hash suffered flooding and fire and exists only in name today.

Just steps into town, The community feeling was obvious. And ambitious river walk included plaques with the town history, a memorial to soldiers and a playground. The old houses were especially well maintained. A particularly nice building, the Empire House, is a hotel as it was when built in 1817. The builder was a river captain Who was accused of making counterfeit money, but denied the court a conviction by dying first.. I met the proprietor, Martha,  she was born in Michigan but came to Rising Sun after training to be a teacher. And then she never left.

It would be worth a trip to Rising Sun just to stay in the Empire House.

I wandered down main street and saw an antique store which possibly made coffee.  It was half antique store and half a place with comfortable chairs. I met sisters Amber and Carlotta who run the place. It was half antique store and half a place with comfortable chairs. I met sisters Amber and Carlotta who run the place. Pretty soon, their old friend Bill came in, and they made coffee for all.

No payment permitted.

 Before being brought low by health problems, Bill had been mayor of this 3000 people town.We had a lively and fun conversation about town affairs, and then the current mayor walked in for his cup of coffee. They all confirmed my expectation that Rising Sun Play stay high value on community. What a  pleasure to be briefly included.

Rising Sun has a riverboat casino on the upstream side of town. When in the planning phase, the town enthusiastically campaigned for it with state regulators. The town negotiated a percent of the “take”, which has greatly helped fund town projects. These days the state is intending to grab the town share. The town is back to campaigning, or lawyering. Best Wishes, Rising Sun!

Back on the water I was tracking the towboat Jincy. This is the boat whose captain I met on the dock in Maysville.  He was due to cycle in as skipper two days ago. Jincy is a towboat I had passed and been passed by several times before I met him. A familiar boat. 

I have an app which tracks vessels, and could see he was about 25 miles south of me, mid day. As he only goes 4-5 mph, I caught up at 3:00, above the Markland Locks. My friend was off duty but would be back at the helm at 5 o’clock.  Captain and pilot alternate every six hours for the three weeks they are on duty. They operate 24 hours a da every six hours for the three weeks they are on duty.