Clayton's River Adventure: Louisville to Paducah

By Linda Penn and Frank Feger

Those humorous and lovable characters are at it again!  Yes!  Clayton, Grampy, Mom, Austin, newcomer, Sydney, and of course, the smartest dog ever, Daisy, embark on another river adventure.  

This book takes them westward on the Ohio River from Louisville all the way to Paducah.  Along the way, the group takes in more o

• Language: English
• Publisher: Racing to Joy Press
• Release date: Nov 12, 2017
• ISBN: 9780990880738

Book preview

——Chapter 1——

Where is Our Next River Trip?

Grampy, where is our next river trip? asked Clayton as he helped prepare the Granny Rose to dock at Captain's Quarters Marina in Louisville following the exciting river adventure on the Ohio and Kentucky Rivers with Mom, his friend Austin, and new pet dog, Daisy.

Yes, Grampy, Austin added, "we know all about how to proceed through the river locks, keep the lockmasters happy, and control the Granny Rose so it doesn't float away! We are ready for another trip!"

Glad to hear you deckhands are interested in another adventure. Grampy laughed. "I'm considering meeting my Army friend, who is an experienced riverboat captain, in Paducah, down the Ohio River from here, in about a month or so. The houseboat would stay there, and we would fly back to Louisville. My friend and his wife have offered to take the Granny Rose all the way down the Tombigbee Waterway to Mobile, Alabama where we would meet up in late summer. Then we could cruise the Intracoastal Waterway to Destin, Florida and stay there for the winter."

Can we go? shouted Clayton as he finished tying the ropes to the dock. You said 'Destin.' That is where Camryn and her family are going to be for fall break.

Oh, yes, I thought that would get your attention. Grampy smiled.

Wait a minute, Clayton announced, looking really worried. The river trip down to Paducah sounds great, and flying home would be nice, but you mentioned you are staying in Destin for the winter. Clayton wrung his hands and looked at the ground.

Don't worry, partner! Arrangements can be made for you, Mom and Austin to fly to Destin for fall break. Grampy grinned.

You mean it? Austin did a 'touchdown dance' and clapped his hands, as the group departed the Granny Rose and walked down the marina deck to the car parking lot to head back to their homes.

Sounds good to me, Austin! You are maturing into an excellent boat hand, Grampy answered. We would need your parents' permission, of course, for you to accompany us again.

HOLD ON! Mom shouted. Do I get to travel with all of you adventurers again?

"Oh, Mom, come on, you are a part of this Granny Rose crew! We can't go down the Ohio without you," Clayton said, giving Mom a hug. Daisy promptly followed Clayton's lead as she licked Mom's hand. All the love continued with Grampy and Austin joining the circle.

Thanks, guys, and I have an idea. Mom grinned. Clayton, your cousin, Sydney, from Pittsburgh, will be visiting us this summer. Maybe we could plan the trip downriver to western Kentucky when she is here."

Hey, fun! Clayton agreed. She is one cool cousin.

I'll call my sister, Sara, and discuss the travel plans, Mom said. Hopefully, she will give her okay for Sydney to accompany us."

"Alright, Mom and I will start working on the arrangements, and we'll meet back here at the Granny Rose in a month or so," Grampy said.

ANOTHER ADVENTURE AWAITS! Clayton declared. Come on Daisy, let's get in the car and go to our real house. Dad is so looking forward to meeting you.

——Chapter 2——

Phobia Admissions

Here we are again! shouted Clayton, clapping his hands and high-fiving with Grampy, Austin, Mom, and Sydney.

"Let's prepare the Granny Rose for departure, you deckhands, Grampy instructed. We are pulling out of Captain's Quarters Marina, into Harrods Creek, turning left and heading west on the Ohio River. Our first stop will be the dock at Waterfront Park in Louisville. We will be within walking distance of the Belvedere Plaza and the Big Four Bridge. Sorry, Daisy girl, no walking the bridge for you, but you can enjoy resting in your kennel while we are gone."

So glad you adventurers, even Sydney, decided to do research before we left on this trip, Mom said. Who studied the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Belvedere, and Big Four Bridge?

Clayton's hand shot up. I looked up the Belvedere Plaza. It was dedicated in 1973 and was created for the community to gather along the Ohio River, especially during festivals, particularly the Kentucky Derby Festival fireworks show, 'Thunder over Louisville.' The area honors the Lewis and Clark Expedition with statues of York and George Rogers Clark. William Clark, George's youngest brother, and Meriwether Lewis met in Louisville in 1803, and the expedition to explore the west was born. York, a skilled woodsman and hunter, participated in the expedition along with several others. They had to be evaluated by Lewis and William Clark as to their qualifications for the long, hard, and dangerous journey.