7/1/2016 Friday - day 6 - Arrive in Pittsburgh!

The Beaver River was a great place to stay. Woke early and headed out to make the last leg of our voyage.  Gassed up as we were leaving the Beaver River and headed toward Dashields lock.  We have been blessed to get right into the locks on the way up. I only hope we are as lucky on the way down!  About 14 miles to Dashields lock, then 7 more to the final lock before Pittsburgh, Emsworth.  At Emsworth there was a barge entering the big chamber while we were entering the small one. It was really neat to go up with the barge!  Then the final stretch (7 miles) to Pittsburgh.
Arrived in Pittsburgh around 11 and headed up the "Mon"(local for Monongahela). Stopped at south side marina to pump out, an expensive venture this time. The cost to pump out here was $10(ochu!its usually free). Especially expensive when I hit the wrong button and turned it off before we even started, had to pay again! Pulled up to a free wall and walked into the south side to Nadines Restaraunt.  It was highly reccomended by a fellow boater at Taylir Cay Marina on the Beaver River.  This little "dive"  ( it had been featured on Diners, Drive Ins , and Dives) had some amazing food! We shared a roast beef sandwich and Reuben, YUM!!!! Stopped in to an Aldi and got a few supplies. Then moved upriver to Station Square. We parked at the courtesy dock and walked several blocks to a meeting.  Met some wonderful people then headed to station square.  More walking then back to the boat for a nap!
We got kicked off the courtesy dock(2 hour limit and we were way over) so we boated around the point to the wall across from PNC Park.  We had a brief downpour as we left on our bikes, but stood under a bridge and talked to some of the other boaters. When the rain stopped we saw a beautiful rainbow and rode through the park then into downtown to Market Square.  Finally back to the boat for dinner.  Cooked brat burgers and beans on the grill then sat on the front of the boat and listened to the Billy Joel concert at PNC Park. We could hear amazingly well. This was definitely a highlight for me!  Unfortunately, they say you can't hear the concerts at Heinz Field, which is a big bummer because Kenny Cheney is there tonight!
It was pretty late when we got to bed, but slept well after the boat traffic died down!

Memorial at the mouth of the Beaver river, huge flag!

Dashields Lock and Dam......one more to go before Pittsburgh!

US Coast Guard Station just South of Pitt.

Skyline of Pitt as we were cruising into the city from the South on the Ohio

Another closer view of the skyline and The Point Park at three rivers

River tour boats at The Station Square.  I don't think we need to pay for a boat tour!  ;-)

The landing at Station square. Aquaholic is at the top by the bridge pier.

Some of the many nice boats at Station Square Marina

Aquaholic docked up with many other boats at Station Square.  Free dock for a few hours allowed for AC on for a comfortable nap after touring Southside off Pitt

We found our twin!  This is an 88 Marinette that looks identical to ours.  The owner shared some good information and advice on the boat and maintenance tips.

View of PNC Park where we were tied up to the wall on the opposite side of the Allegany River.  We were treated to an awesome Billy Joel concert that we could hear perfectly.....score! 

We had a brief 15 minute downpour followed by this spectacular rainbow while we started our bike ride around the point park and to market square

PNC park and lights from all the boats

6/30/2016 Thursday - day 5

Today was uneventful but VERY relaxing.   I started the morning in my usual early riser fashion at 5am.  I thought I'd take the time to finally throw in a fishing line since we were only a few mikes from the Pa. Border and any fishing I do after this will be on the low since I only have an Oh license.   I didn't buy any bait, so on went the hot dogs onto the hook......the fish were biting well and were soon on the hook also :-)   

When my princess awoke from her slumber we spent a couple hours on boat cleaning.   Renee went on a rampage with a bottle of scrubbing bubbles and a scrubby sponge and now has our head looking and smelling like one you might find in a five star (anchor in our case) marina!  I spent time filling the water tank, and gave the grill a good cleaning.  Prior to shoving off for the day we made some toast and eggs for breakfast and went around to chat with a few of the Holiday Yacht Club members who were friendly and great hosts.  One couple even offered us the use of their brand new truck to go up into town for supplies if we needed it.  We did not, but sure appreciated the offer.  Boaters are some friendly folk.....I don't care what you say ;-)

We only traveled about 20 miles and navigated one lock (Montgomery Lock and Dam) today.   This was our first experience in one of the Ohio River locks that don't have the floating ballards to tie to.   So, we got out our 100 ft ropes, and up to the lockmaster they went.   Renee learned a trick from one of the folks at Holiday Yacht Club that proved to be very helpful and effective; we attached the bow line to the side of the boat opposite the lock wall and then the rope went up to the lockmaster and back down to us.  This allows for much better control of the boat while riding up.  

Just a few miles upriver from the lock we came to the Beaver River.  We had read and heard some really good things about the river, its town, and the restaraunts/facilities.   After finding a good transient dock setup by talking to a couple folks, we stayed out in the river for a couple of hours and broke out our net rafts......float and relax!   We then docked, got showers (really nice and clean facilities again) and headed up to the Dockside Bar and Grille for dinner.   We stuffed our bellies till we could hardly walk with chicken parmesian and blackened shrimp tortollini.  It was delish! 

As I sit on the aft deck with a cup of coffee writing this, an OLD houseboat just pulled up in front of us.   The owner says he got it for $2000 this Spring along with a dock he bought and that they just ressurected it and launched it for the first time today.   He says he is putting the name on her tomorrow......"The Dirty Oar" hahaha...classy ;-)  

Another great day on the water! just 25 miles and two locks to Pittsburgh tomorrow. 

More and more barges as we head North. 

Loading up the barges

Coming up on Montgomery Lock and Dam.....only a few more miles to the Pennsylvania line! 

Beautiful sky at Beaver River

Aquaholic.lamberts@gmail.com in front of Dockside grill, at Taylir Cay Marina on the Beaver River

6/29/2016 Wednesday - day 4

Wonderful night at Wheeling Yacht Club. Beautiful club with wonderful facilities and very kind and friendly members.  Erik made some delicious breakfast sandwiches and we headed out around 8m.  The third Ohio river lock, Hannibal Lock,  was early and quick.  Not far from the lock we entered the cove where Rayland Marina is located.  The channel and cove were very shallow and we were stirring up mud but did not hit anything or bottom out, YAY!!!  99 gallons of gas and much lighter wallets later we were on the river again.  Docked and walked into Wellsburg. Very neat little town. Saw a huge 200 year old sycamore tree that made the one in our yard look small, a log house from early 1800's, several historical markers, a flower shop, and found a DQ!!!  Caramel funnel cake a la mode is quite yummy :-) Back on the river we saw lots of factories, coal plants, and other industrial plants along with a casino (not much of the gambling types so we floated on by).  Went through the "big chamber" at the New Cumberland Lock(usually used for barge and commercial traffic).  Home for the night is Holiday Yacht Club.  Again greeted by very helpful friendly hosts.  A very nice protected harbor with an absolutely gorgeous stone A frame home at the top of the hill that used to be part of the boat club.  Took a bike ride through Chester West Virginia (nothing to thrilling to see) before returning to the boat to fix dinner. Erik made some amazing ribeyes with baked potatoes. Another wonderful end to a very blessed day!

The bunnies on the walking/biking trail along the riverfront are incredibly uses to people.  They let you get within a few feet of them.

Sunset panoramic from the boat clubhouse.  A

Another sunset pic

Ryland marina

One of 4 or 5 stearnwheelers in the protected cove of Rayland Marina where we stopped for fuel

Some cool history about Wellsburg.  It's hard to tell, but the tree behind this sign is enormous and over 200 yrs old

You've got to kept them happy! ;-)

Wellsburg WV

Old history log home in downtown Wellsburg

Welcome to Wellsville sign taken for air friend, Patty.  We actually thought we were there when we were in Wellsburg early this day.....oops.....wrong town.

Preparing to enter the channel to the cove of Holiday Yacht Club in Chester WV

View upriver from a scenic lookout in Chester WV

Aquaholic at her home against the wall at Holiday Yacht Club.  The only negative about this stopover was the excessive goose poop!  I declare open hunting season on Canadian Geese!  

Sitting in the lay chairs on the bow

6/28/2016 Tuesday, day 3 of our adventure!

Left New Martinsville in the morning and started the day going through Hannibal Lock.  We traveled a little ways then stopped and fixed breakfast. Bacon, eggs, and toast, yum! Thanks Bev for the fresh eggs!  Stopped to check out Moundsville. Moundsville was not very interesting, or we didn't find the right part of town.  Did some bike riding then back on the boat for a few more hours and ended up in Wheeling. Biked and walked downtown Wheeling, got situated at Wheeling Yacht Club, our home port for the night. Dinner was Mexican leftovers.  This area of the river has a lot of industry, so we saw lots of barges and towboats today. What a blessed life we have!

Beautiful view of mountains

Downtown Wheeling, Riverfront park

Erik at Riverfront park, Wheeling, WV

Erik at Riverfront park

Our flybridge(upstairs) telescoping monoculars, matching one at lower helm. Thanks Devin and Mark!

More beautiful mountains

View of Aquaholic at the Wheeling riverfront 

Cool historic row houses (Wheeling)+

FBI dive team practicing nearby

6/27/2016 Monday - day 2 up the Ohio

Day two of our cruise to Pittsburg was wonderful! We love small town America and we experienced some shining examples of it today! Left Marietta Boat Club (thanks for the hospitality) and headed up river to St Mary's where we found a candy shop to enjoy a carmel and chocolate covered pretzel stick. Wandered around and looked at some wonderful old homes. Notice in the pic with the train car that they still have a pay phone.....haha, haven't seen one of those in while! Continued upriver to our next stop, Sistersville. Another quaint town with tons of history. More great homes, the longest running ferry on the river, AND I finally found a DQ to agree to do both crunch coat and dip in chocolate....yum! Back aboard we moved up river again to our current location at New Martinsville. Docked at a brand new free city dock and after a good Ole Ohio River bath we wandered up into town and had an excellent Mexican dinner (highly recommend Dos Hermanos). Walked off full bellies looking at more great history and now back down to the boat to sit in our zero gravity chairs and enjoy a wonderful sunset. God is good!

Leaving Marietta

Looking up the Ohio River

First Ohio River lock. Willow Island

Tied to a floating Ballard in the lock

Aquaholic at the park at St Marys

Historic Creel house(brick house in center)

Creel house

Candy shop in St Marys

St Marys

St Marys Marina/park

St Marys Marina/park

DQ at sistersville

Oldest operating ferry on the Ohio river

Amazing sunsets at New Martinsville

sunset at New Martinsville free dock