Floating Down the River

Last week I took a tour of the Ohio River and the McAlpine Locks near Louisville, Ky. for work. Originally we were supposed to float down the river on a barge but at the last minute we switched to the Spirit of Jefferson.

Now, while I have a secret fantasy of floating down the Mississippi on a barge to New Orleans, I wasn't too upset that we made the switch.

It was 90-plus degrees out and the Spirit has air conditioning...and a crew that serves cold soft drinks.

The barge has a canopy and a cooler of pop.

The trip is designed so that participants learn a bit more why the river system is so important to farmers. Quite a bit of our corn and soybeans are shipped on our inland waterways.

It was an enjoyable morning on the water. (I love the river...love being on it or near it NOT in it! Unlike another person on the barge...I do NOT want to reach out and hug the river. I admire it from afar.)

We saw a few barges...

We went under a railroad bridge...

We enjoyed a day on the river...

Linking up to Pinke Post.

Wordless Wednesday...One Last Look at Summer Fun

As we flip the calendar from August to September, here's one last look at some summer fun we had on the Ohio River last weekend. Oh, where does the time go?

Linking to Wordless Wednesday over at 5 Minutes for Mom.

One Wild Ride

My family has a great place along the Ohio River that we usually spend many summer weekends enjoying the water, summer games, food and family. However, this year life has gotten in the way and this weekend was the first and probably only time I was able to get down there.

Being the cool aunt that I am, I brought my two oldest nephews down with me and met my parents and Lil' Sister, her hubby and my youngest nephew.

The eldest two nephews decided they wanted to go tubing and since their parents were not with us, we said "Why not!" No really, my dad took it pretty easy on them as it was the red-head's first time on the tube.

Here they are waiting to take off...

And we're off...

"Look ma, no hands."

"I'm not sure we should go any faster..."

Outside the wake...

Tubing is such hard work.

A great ride...

Someone was feeling a little left out...

It was a great day. We also took a nice boat ride and stopped in a little cove we know and almost everyone jumped off the boat for a little swim. Personally do NOT swim in the Ohio River. Ever since I saw that fridge floating by, I just can't do it!

On the way back to camp, I snapped a shot of Ashley Judd's house. Or at least that's the rumor my family is trying to start. The house IS in Kentucky and we all know that Ashley Judd is FROM Kentucky.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!