Joliet to Peoria

We are now traveling on the Des Planes River. Just a short distance down river is Joliet IL. where we are going to spend the night. In order to get to our destination we must have 3 bridges open. In Joliet however the bridges do not open during rush hour, so we had a wait of 1 hour and 15 minutes. The city of Joliet maintains a municipal wall for traveling boaters. The wall is complete with power and water hookups and is located at a very nice waterfront park. We have been told it is in a rough part of town but the police department maintains a neighborhood precinct there and there are police coming and going all the time.

Looking back into Lockport Lock as we leave

Barge Traffic on the Des Plaines River at Joliet

The Sadie Too tied up on the Joliet Wall

The above picture is the Sadie Too, the morning after spending the night at the Joliet Wall. We waited here all morning as the Brandon Road Lock, about a mile and a half downstream is down for maintenance.

Man in a one man Dory

This fellow we first saw yesterday upriver about 30 miles. He is traveling by dory from Chicago to New Orleans.

Connie in the Brandon Road Lock

About 13 miles downriver from the Brandon Road locks the Des Plains River joins the Kankakee River. These two rivers form the Illinois River which we will follow for the next 272 miles to the Mississippi River.
About a mile below the beginning of the Illinois River is the Dresden Lock. We only had a very short wait at this lock.

Leaving Dresden Lock

Our next stop was at the Spring Brook Marina in Seneca Il. As with many of the overnight stops we just spent the night and moved on. We did eat supper at the local Restaurant however.
The following day we passed thru the Marseilles Lock with only about a 45 minute wait.

Waiting above the Marseilles Lock

After the Marseilles Lock we traveled downstream to the Starved Rock Lock. To pass thru this lock we waited 3hours and 45 minutes. This wait caused us to reach or next stop after dark. This stop was the Henry Harbor Marina, which is a municipal marina operated by the only bar in the town of Henry. When you call to make reservations you talk to whoever is tending bar at that time. We along with two other boats were told they could handle boats of our size with no problem. The result was all three of us sitting on the bottom in the mud all night. In the morning we offloaded our 200 gallons (about 1500 lbs). of water and were able to get underway without any damage as were the other boats. We now know to ask more questions when making arrangements to stay at marinas.

Passing and Tug and Barges

Starved Rock and Starved Rock Dam

The Sadie Too and Panda Bear waiting for Starved Rock Lock

Sadie Too rafted off of Panda Bear

Connie and Marv in Starved Rock Lock

After leaving Henry Harbor Marina we had only a short run to The Illinois Valley Yacht Club in Peoria where we would spend the Labor Day Weekend. This was a very nice facility and we were treated like royalty. While in Peoria we had the opportunity to visit with our friends Bob and Norma Dawson where Sadie was able to run free at their home with over 10 acres.

Upper End of Peoria Lake

Sadie Too and Panda Bear Moored at the IVY Club in Peoria