Alton, Illinois
We left Grafton Marina on a cold rainy morning. Foggy on land so it was a challenge to see. This was a short passage of just under 3 hours. No barges but did see a car ferry crossing in front of us. Fueled up in preparation for a long run Tuesday. This marina is just north of our next lock, the Mel Price Lock and Dam. Hoping to find a buddy boat to travel with through the lock. The local grocery store came and picked us up to get a few things (Diet Coke!). We should be set until Green Turtle Bay in Kentucky. Heading out later to go find live music and food with a couple from a sailboat from our Flotilla that we keep running into. Nice to be moving again after 4 days at Grafton.
Kim's giant drybag!
Covered Slips
Alton Marina
Tuesday, Oct. 31-Happy Halloween!
Up at 5:30 to enjoy my coffee before we left at sunrise. There are 8 boats in this Flotilla. We have reconnected with people from Hammond and met new loopers. Nice to travel with others who know the ropes. First lock was just outside the Alton Marina. I had to grab a floating bollard and let's just say, epic fail! However, I did finally get it and held on tight. Was able to film as we left the lock. It was a 23' drop.
2nd Lock, Chain of Rocks Lock, were rough. Extremely windy, cold and trying to raft off another boat. Thankfully everyone helps.
We past the Arch at St. Louis (powerboat is part of our Flotilla). then for the next two hours we dodged barge after barge, debris of logs and sticks in the water and tried to stay warm. We have an enclosure but it is not insulated!
Hoppies Marina Services. Yep, a rusty old barge but the crew were so nice and friendly. This is a fuel stop.
Moon over boats at Hoppies.
Rough night on the barge at Hoppies. Huge tows (a tug with 12-15 barges) passing all night. Our boats caught their wake and bounced around all night. Not much sleep happened.
7:00 am leaving the dock for a very long day.
"The Bomber Mafia" by Malcolm Gladwell
Traveling to an anchorage at Little Diversion brought on tows, tugs with barges. So many tows! It has been proven that the Tows will answer females over males. So I now have mastered the art of talking to tow captains. I have learned what "On the one or on the two" means. Port side (left side) or Starboard side (right side) when passing or overtaking.
At one point we were following a 12 pack (tow with 12 barges-3 wide, 4 long) and had 2- 9 packs coming at us. Kim was behind the wheel for that one!
We ended our day with 9 boats rafted in a little inlet and had dinner together to share stories and plan tomorrow. Long day but a good day.
Rafting in Little Diversion. Two rows, 5 boats in first row, 4 in second row.
Leaving our anchorage at 7:00 am to finish out the Mississippi River.
Thursday, November 2, 2023
What a day we had! Left a beautiful anchorage with fellow loopers to finish out the Mississippi River. We found ourselves the lead bot of 9 so I was hailing the tows and communicating with them as to 'on the one or the two'. That lasted an hour and then the powerboats flew pass us to take the lead. I was ok with that.
As diligent as we were, we hit a huge log that made us think we were going to sink. However, we were fine. Debris and big logs everywhere in the river. It made for a very tense morning watching for deadheads (logs stuck in the ground and only a small part sticking up) and other objects floating around.
We ended the Mississippi River to enter the Ohio River. Now that was a %$#& show! Barges, tows, tugs, everywhere. We could hear them talking about us, we are now by ourselves, as we weaved our way through the mess of barges! Didn't even have time to even get pictures!
Traveling the Ohio River
Paducah Transient Dock (Kentucky)
When making a run from the Olmsted Lock and Dam, we thought we would get to Paducah at dusk. However, it was pitch black and the transient dock did not have any lights on it. My phone rang and a fellow looper was following us on Nebo and call to say they would guide us in. By Jodi's cell phone flashlight, we got in and 4 loopers helped catch our lines. Thank you Carmen and John from Carma's Reward and Jodi and Kaaren from Dos Gatos Locos. They were our angels tonight! And yes, that Holiday Inn on the hill was tempting!
Paducah Quilt Museum
These quilts were more like paintings. Very impressive!
Sunrise on our last day in Paducah
Huge walls protect the city from flooding. Murals depict the history of the city. Toured a River Museum and found a deadhead. These are extremely dangerous in the river. And of course we found a bourbon bar. Finished the night at a piano bar.
Floodlines.
Entering the Cumberland River. Two large silos (one fell over) greeted us.
We arrived at Green Turtle Bay Marina early afternoon after going through Berkley Lock. Locks are still stressful!
