Returning soon

It's been a while, and it may be a bit longer.


My computer has died, and I'm trying to get a new one at the same time I'm working a few more hours and other needs around the house keep me busy.


If all goes well, I'll be back on July 1. Realistically, I'm shooting for July 8.


The good news is that I have a backlog of photos to deal with -- towboats, bridges, dredges ... you know, the good stuff.


I'll see you then.

A few pictures from recent days

Between working and trying to get stuff done around the house and dealing with a computer that is about ready to cross the Rainbow Bridge, I've been negligent in blogging. I was planning to give a nonpolitical analysis of President Trump's infrastructure speech in Cincinnati, but who cares what I think, especially at this late date, you know?

I can't say when I can get back on here, so let's share four photos I've taken recently to let you all know I'm still alive.

First, every marina needs a guard duck.

Second, here's an Amherst Madison boat passing Huntington after the sun had set.

The Earl Franklin Jr. and the Lucedale were doing dredging work in the lower approach of the Robert C. Byrd Gallipolis Locks and Dam today. It looked like the Franklin handled the barge and clamshell bucket that were doing the scooping and the Lucedale was dumping the mud where the water coming through the dam could disperse it. I started singing "Sedimental Journey," but Adam groaned. That means the pun worked.

And here's the M/V Tommy H as it was about to exit the lock.

This was the first time I had seen the Tommy H since Adam and I attended its christening in Pittsburgh on May 25. I have a ton of photos, but they will have to wait until I learn whether the Waterways Journal is using any of them.

Later.

Two items in the news

President Trump will visit Cincinnati this week to urge investment in rebuilding the nation's lock and dam system.

Meanwhile, up the river, work on repairing and rebuilding part of the bridge connecting the town of St. Marys to Middle Island, the largest island in the Ohio River Islands National Wildlife Refuge, has been delayed until next year at the earliest. The bridge now in use was part of the original Hi Carpenter Bridge, which was of the same design as the Silver Bridge at Point Pleasant.

A birthday party for Charlie Jones

From what I can tell, Charlie Jones of Amherst Madison is the most liked and respected person in the river industry in these parts. Today they had a 99th birthday celebration for him at the company headquarters. I was able to attend, and I wrote about it here.