Paris Landing State Park

Friday, October 10

We had a peaceful night until about 6:00 A.M. It seems there was a small fishing tournament with a 7 o’clock start. Between 6:00 and 7:00 about twenty fishing boats launched at the ramp 100 yards from us and tied to the dock right next to us. I got up, fixed coffee and went out to watch.

It was another calm clear morning with a temperature near sixty. The fisherman all got off; we had breakfast and headed out not to long after the fishermen.

With little or no wind and bright sunny, the flybridge was comfortable all day. It was another great day of cruising as we continued down Kentucky Lake. As we get into the area of the lake where it begins to widen, but mostly with large shallow areas, we begin to see large numbers of pelicans. This is the first time we have seen pelicans since the spring migration headed north back at St Charles. Another sign fall is here. We continue to see a little color but it is still early for color here.

The second pelican picture is included for two reasons. It is a good close up of the pelican and it also shows a little of the milfoil problem on the river. Some of the wide shallow areas of the river have heavy milfoil that grows rapidly in the nutrient rich waters that are 8 to 10 feet deep at summer pool. Now that the water has been drawn down 4+ feet to near winter pool, the heavy growth is in 5 to 6 feet (or less) and is heavily matted. The egrets and herons actually walk across it. I estimate some of the mats to approach 50 acres in size.

We are now on the section of the river used by the boats heading south to the gulf, we are seeing many more pleasure boats headed the other way. This picture shows three cruisers going by and passing a slower sailboat.

By three o’clock we were pulling into Paris Landing State Park Marina. This is where we came into when we were headed up river after a long day of high winds, then rode out the remnants of Ike, with 60 mile per hour gusts that night and the next day. What a difference, bright sun and still near calm conditions make.

Saturday, October 11,

We decide to stay a second day at Paris Landing; we used their showers, took our time getting ready and then walked the near mile to the Inn and Convention center. We had their buffet breakfast and then leisurely strolled back to the boat. It was a lovely morning, clear skies, calm and temperature in the low to mid 60s. The walk through the lovely state park was delightful.

When we got back Diana took a load of laundry up to the laundry at the office. Then she dug out all the cans and bottles she has been saving, this is one of the only places we have found that has recycling bins. I gave the boat a thorough wash down from top to bottom. By the time everything was done the temperature was in the low 80’s and it was past lunch time. We had a late lunch, and then both laid down to relax and cool off for a little while.

Later this afternoon a couple more transient boats can in. We helped them tie up and chatted a while. Now it is time to catch up on this blog and plan the next couple of days.