Boats on the Ohio

Ohio History

A Day on the River

Here’s another picturesque scene with sunlight dancing around bobbing boats. West Virginia actually owns this part of the Ohio River up to the low-water mark (that was Virginia’s original boundary). We traveled down the Ohio River past Buckley Island and then turned back. There was once an amusement park on the island—till it was destroyed by a flood! What a lovely ride!!

Paddle Wheel

Ohio History

Valley Gem Paddle Wheel

I can just feel the cold water splashing up from the churning paddle wheel in this picture! The top deck of the sternwheeler gave us this view right into the wheel. It was fun to sit up there as we passed under highway bridges over the river! On the lower deck, we got to stand next to the water rushing around the boat. The Ohio River was currently seventeen feet deep, according to the captain.

Valley Gem

Ohio History

Sun on the Confluence

Then we boarded the Valley Gem sternwheeler, just downriver from the Snyder, not just to look but for a ride! The one-and-a-half hour cruise took us down the Muskingum out to the confluence with the Ohio River. The river, dotted with little fishing boats, sparkled in the shimmering sun. There were dredgers working in the confluence, seen here as we enter the Ohio River from the Muskingum.