Monday, November 14, 2016

On The Road

Update ~ Our computer motherboard blew today 11/18/2016.
We are going to be taking a long Blogger break till we can afford a new computer which might be awhile.
I am typing this from the library as a person let me have five minutes of their time.

For November the weather has been exceptionally nice.  Lee said Sweet William The Scot pack your bed and lets do a little road trip so we can show our friends things outside of Nati City.
On the road again
Seein' things that I may never see again
We're the best of friends
On the road again.
Here is our first turn off!
Yep first stop is Captain Anthony Meldahl Locks & Dam.
The Dam opened in December 1964.
Its length is 1,756 ft (535.2 m)
The amount of coal transported down river from Pittsburgh jumped greatly following the Civil War. The size of the tows also grew with the amount of coal hauled.
The Rivers and Harbors Act allowed the production of a system of locks and dams along the Ohio.
Which made the river navigable all the time.
The dams are non-navigable and made of concrete and steel. Each dam has two adjoining locks, one 600-foot by 110-foot chamber, and a 1,200-foot by 110-foot chamber to accommodate fifteen barges that can lock through in one maneuver.
We see two barges coming from the east.
The first barge is maneuvering into the spot closest to us.
He dinged his bell and waved at us. My ears went back with the ding.
See the man standing at the point.
He is getting into place.
And the Marathon Barge is going in.
See his top!
The barge is going down.
Down.
The barge is so low you can hardly see his top!
On the Kentucky side of the river in the distance you can see The Meldahl hydroelectric facility .
The river hydroelectric power plant provides new, renewable generation to the region. Located near Maysville, Kentucky, the facility is the largest hydroelectric power plant on the Ohio River.
It became fully operational just this past April 2016.
Currently they are planning three more turbine hydroelectric plant and spillway addition to the Meldahl Locks and Dam.  Clean energy isn't it great.
At normal pool elevation the length is 95 miles (153 km) upstream encompassing an area of 21,700 acres (88 km).
If we were on the other side of drive we could see the barge come out at a lower river level.
The second barge is going into the second slot.
On the other side of the river is Maysville, Kentucky where George Clooney, the actor is from.
We could take the ferry across but that is not our destination now.
His maneuvering was not so great, we could hear the barge scrape the far wall.
Diagram shows you how the lock works.
Here is a hand forged anchor.  Type used in the early 1800's.
Estimated weight 1800 pounds.  If we could lift it we could take it home.
Well we are back on the road and the field has round hay bales covered with white water repellant sheets.
Our next stop is Freedom Hill.
Yep we are on the Underground Railroad Trail.

Thanks for being a friend
Traveling down the road and back again
Your heart is true and your a friend of  mine
Signing Off 
Sweet William The Scot



27 comments :

  1. Thanks for taking us on the road again with you. You sure do hit some interesting places
    Lily & Edward

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  2. Hari OM
    OMD SWTS, that is just the most amazing place - I loves all that industrial stuffs, (you may recall!) and hydro energy is fabulous. Am so glad you are getting fine weather for your road trip... woohoooooooooooo..... hugs and wags, YAM-aunty xxx

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  3. oh what a super trip... how bad that it wasn't possible to bring that anchor home :o)I love that you will get more turbines to produce clean energy, it is possible to load up all smartphones and yaptops of the world without ruining our planet right? It's great that the sailor waved at you, I bet he loves scotties as much as me :o)

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  4. Looks like everyone enjoyed a great trip! Will have to check this place out sometime soon, thanks for the share!
    Kim

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  5. That is some impressive engineering Sweet William. And we think it is great that you have a new source of clean energy, rather than more burning of nasty dirty coal.
    Toodle pip!
    Bertie.

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  6. I did not know that dams and locks where ships sail was on the Ohio River. You are having some mighty fine weather on your road trip.
    Bentley & Mom

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    1. The Ohio River goes a long way an actually has 21 locks and dams. They go from Pennsylvania to Illinois.
      How is your life Bentley? Getting ready for a little turkey my
      friend?
      SWTS

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    2. Life is GREAT. We are also having wonderful fall weather this year. Mom has the big bird in freezer just waiting to make an appearance.

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  7. How exciting to see barges and locks. I luffs it when we go to the Grand Union Canal over here to watch the boats.
    Have funs on your road trip and thank you fur sharing with us
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  8. That is so interesting - did not know that the Ohio River had locks and dams like that. We are always learning something when we visit you!
    hugs
    Mr Bailey, Hazel & mabel

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  9. Thanks for the tour SW! We love coming to your blog and seeing your latest adventures. Looks like you had a pawsome time!
    Waggies,
    Braeden, Seth and Riley

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  10. OMD OMD we loved seeing the Ohio River and the Locks and Barges...
    OMD next up Underground Railroad... that will be REALLY interesting.
    WE love your FALL/AUTUMN Blog look.

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  11. that was a wonderful place to visit

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  12. Thanks for taking us along on your travels. I forgot how wide the Ohio River is ...Wow!

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  13. We always love it when you take us along on your trips.

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  14. My peep spent 13 months at the Big Ditch and locks, just not in Ohio.

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    Replies
    1. Yes I remember your Panama Canal service venture ~ 50 mile-long pathway the Ohio River is longer with no rain forest or bomber mosquitoes and we quasi speak English.
      SWTS

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  15. OMD, that is soooooo cool! I didn't knows that one existed! Very cool! Just thinks of all the power and money the hydrodam is making! Loves it! And you are a very pawfessional model SW! I would have gave that dingy guy a bark or two! BOL
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  16. We love watching all those mechanical thingys!

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  17. Thank you for sharing your road trip. We have a little canal near where we live but nothing as pawsome as that one! Nose licks and love from Moth xx

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  18. Are not those lift-locks a n adventure just to watch them in action?!

    We have some of those in the Niagara region of Ontario, Canada, and also in Peterborough Ontario. There are likely more but those are the ones petcretary has seen working.

    I am enjoying your road trip!

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  19. I am so sorry to hear about your computer problems. Hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving Sweet William and Lee.
    Bentley & Pat

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  20. Oh no! Computer problems are the worst! I hope you are able to get a new computer soon! There might be great sales now, being Christmas and everything. I hope your Thanksgiving was good and that your Christmas is going to be good too!!!

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  21. Oh dear, we are so sorry to hear about your computer problems. We are in the same boat, but with a car - no a computer. We hope that your holiday season has been lovely!

    Edgar and his mum

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  22. Happy New Year Sweet William and Lee!!! May your year be filled with love laughter and good health!!!
    Luvs
    Marty and Mom

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  23. Wow, we feel like we’ve had the grandest of tours. Hope to see you back blogging soon. Happy New Yea !!!r

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