Sadie Too

As for Sadie, she is beginning to enjoy the trip.  On day one, she had to wear her life jacket as we crossed Lake Michigan.  Between the heat and the rough waters, she was nervous and paced most of the day. 
Now she enjoys laying on the fly bridge watching the river traffic and the water float by.  She knows most of our friends by the sound of their engines, and has new doggy pals at almost all stops.  We try to stay at marinas often because of the access to water and power.  Most of the marinas have a dog walk area which she always enjoys.  She has lots of boat dog friends that she gets to play with.  On days that we anchor out, we use the dinghy to take her to shore.  This is a lot of work because we have to lower the dinghy and put it back in place when we return to the boat.  We have worn swimsuits to take her to shore in the warm rain, sunk in the mud as Marv did, seen wild animals and always made it back.  Sadie loves to ride in the dinghy.  When we take her life jacket out and lower the boat, she knows it is her time.  At first getting the life jacket on was a challenge, because she is so wiggly.  Now she runs to you and stands in place until she is made ready to go.  We have a bit of a challenge getting her from the boat to the dinghy.  Marv stands on the swim board and lifts her hips and back end down to the swim board while I lift her front end down the steps, however coming back in the boat is a piece of cake.  She almost climbs up the steps herself.  As for eating, she is right on track.  She knows that 8 pm is pig ear time.  Somehow her little clock never changes.

Travels from Alton to Green Turtle by Connie

Waiting for Fast Eddies to Open

While at Alton Marina we went with our friends Jeff and Rhonda to Fast Eddies for lunch.  We took a taxi over to the restaurant at 11 only to realize after the fact that Fast Eddie's didn't open until 1 pm, so we found a spot in the shade in the alley out behind the restaurant.  Every person coming in to work tried to explain that the entrance was on the other side of the building.  Finally, the man in the upstairs apartment was sure we were lost and came to tell us we were at the wrong door.  With heat in the 90's, we relished the shade even if it was on steps in the alley.  Lucky for us, Fast Eddie's opened 1/2 hour early, so with good friends laughing and sharing another adventure, the wait wasn't horrible.  This curious little restaurant had a few rules:  no food take outs, and you had to have at least one drink with your meal.  Lunch was great with only 6 things on the menu:  burgers; chicken, pork or beef kabobs; iced shrimp or pulled pork.  Burgers were huge and only $2.00. 

Sept 17th:  We left the Grafton Marina to head south.  We knew we had a long journey with two locks for the day, so we left at 7 am.  At that time the lockmaster had 3 southbound tows and 4 or 5 northbound already lined up.  What a nice lockmaster, he worked us in between the tows.  We still had 3 1/2 hours to wait for our turn.  Some people had to wait overnight.  By the time the lockmaster took us in there were 6 boats of us waiting to go through.  That night we were headed for Hoppie's Marine.  Now Marv mentioned Hoppie's, but he left a little bit out.  As we pulled into the marina, my first thought was "Deliverance."  Oh, My!  However, two men came out to pull us in and tie us up.   They set up their steps for us to use in climbing in and out of the boat.  Fern herself was a wealth of knowledge.  She told us where to anchor out or tie up, where not to stay, how to get help and to be aware of run away barges.  This was the first time anyone had mentioned run away barges.

On Sept 18th we left Hoppie's for a short run which makes for an easy day.  Of the six of us at the locks, four of us were still traveling together.  About an hour out, Bajan Speed, Kris and Mark, quickly turned around and headed back up river.  Kris was piloting and her husband, Mark, was down in severe pain.  With the help of 911 they were able to tie up at a private boat dock.  Shortly after tying up, Mark collapsed on the dock.  The ambulance came quickly there after and got them to a small area hospital.  The doctor on duty called a surgeon in from St Louis, and Mark was operated on that evening.  Today he is alive and doing well.  He is most definitely ready to resume the trip.  In the meantime, the Kaskaskia Lock Master heard the emergency radio calls, and Fern at Hoppie's did as well.  We had three doctors and an RN in our group, so I guess we were covered.  The lockmaster helped Kris make the right river direction choices and offered SOS numbers for her to call.  Fern had one of her helpers and his wife drive down to meet Kris and drive her boat back to Hoppie's for storage until Kris could get a transfer pilot.  When Kris tried to pay them, they wouldn't take money.  They said, "No, we're boat people.  We help each other."  Their boat has now been picked up by a boat pilot and taken down to Green Turtle Bay in KY for storage until they can resume their trip in a few months.

When the rest of us realized they were ok, we journeyed on to Kaskaskia Lock for the night.  While playing with her new friend, Monte, Sadie realized that she floats in her new life jacket.  Marv said it was funny to see the look on her face. 

Sept 19th:  We were up early today as we have a 151 mile trip.  We planned that this would take about 11 hours, but with the river current with us the trip went faster than anticipated.  At the days end the three boats of us anchored on Boston Bar.  This is a pretty place, but with the turbulence and barge traffic on the Mississippi, we got little sleep.  The Mississippi is a very busy river.   

Sept 20th:  We were up really early today...5:30am.  Sadie to shore, engine check, quick breakfast and at daylight we were on our way.  As Marv mentioned, an hour or so down the river we had to turn back as our friends, Tuscobia, Rod and Julie, were stuck on a sand bar.  After the pull out by Rhon Da Vous, we were off again.  When we turned from the Mississippi up onto the Ohio we had to go against a lot of traffic and a lot of turbulence.  I was glad to get passed that stretch.  Since we had two locks to wait for, dark came over the river life before we made our destination. A tug boat with a huge load allowed us to run beside him in his lights until we reached our turn off from the Ohio to the Cumberland River.  We have found that if we talk on the radio to the tow captains, they appreciate knowing what we need to do.  Most of them are very cordial in helping us get around them.  Our friends, Jeff and Rhonda, were waiting with lights on for us when we pulled in behind Cumberland Island.  That night when Marv took Sadie to shore for her run, he sunk in the mud and had a hard time pulling his feet out without loosing his shoes and an even harder time getting back into the boat.  He said he was concerned he might not make it back to the boat when he sunk in the muck.  I was concerned when the didn't return for quite a while.  Finally, I got out a strong flashlight so I could watch for them to reappear.  Both he and Sadie got hosed off when they came back onboard.  After drying off and warming up, we all had a good nights sleep.

Sept 21st:  We slept in this morning.  Marv took Sadie to shore and found a much nicer beach area where she could romp for a few minutes.  It's amazing what you can see in the daylight.  No more late travel nights!  Our friends Rod and Julie got separated from us as we traveled yesterday.  They told us they tied up to what appeared to be an abandoned barge.  Early in the morning there were men on the barge disassembling it and getting ready to move it.  This will be a very short day as we travel through 1 set of locks and to our destination Green Turtle Bay Marina on Barclay Lake.


 

Grafton, Illinois to Barkley Lake Kentucky

On the morning of September 14th we left Grafton Marina for Alton, IL. While at Grafton we were able to repair our air conditioner with the pump that we had overnighted to us, and replace our bilge pump which decided to run continuously. The Mississippi between Grafton and Alton is really quite scenic with lots of rock cliffs along the shoreline. The picture below is the confluence of the Mississippi River and the Illinois. The Mississippi turns to the left and the Illinois is straight ahead on the Right.

Mississippi and Illinois River

Mississippi River Shoreline

Between Grafton and Alton, IL was the town of Portage des Sioux, Missouri. Located in this town is the Our Lady of the Rivers Shrine built in 1951 as gratitude of the river stopping just short of flooding the Village.

Our Lady of the Rivers Shrine

Alton was not a stop that we had planned, but we were not able to get into Hoppies Marina down river until the night of the 17th so we added a stop in Alton. Alton turned out to be a very pleasant stop. We ate at a very interesting restaurant called Fast Eddies and we able to get some grocery shopping done in a local store that would picked us up at the marina. One night while there we attended a gathering of loopers. It was a barbecue where you bring your own meat and other dishes to share.
Early on the morning of the 17th of September we left Alton headed for Hoppies Marina only to wait 3 hours and 45 minutes at the Mel Price Lock only 2 1/2 miles down river. Luckily we had only a short wait at the Chain of Rocks Lock which came next.
While in the Mel Price Lock we came across these people in a canoe. Someone who talked to them said they were going to Texas.

Looking upstream as the Chain of Rocks Lock begins to empty

Shortly after the Chain of Rocks Lock we came to the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. This was the beginning of lots of commercial river traffic and lots of turbulence. It was very difficult to determine which tugs were moving and which were tied up to bollards in the middle of the river. We were able to successfully weave our way through the St. Louis Area and make our way south to Hoppies Marina.

Approaching the St. Louis Area

St. Louis Arch and Downtown

Hoppies Marina is a very interesting place. It consists of old barges connected in a line. Fern Hopkins the owner is a crusty old lady who probably knows more about the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers than anyone you will meet. She gives a class everyday at 4:30 PM and she puts out a wealth of information that made our next few days of travel much easier and safer. Before the class began Fern told us that we could just let the dogs run and Sadie had a great time running up and down those barges and playing with an English Spaniel named Monte.



Hoppies Marina

Sadie Too at Hoppies Marina

On September 18th we traveled from Hoppies to the Kaskaskia River where we spent the night tied up to the Kaskaskia Lock wall just up the Kaskaskia river a short ways from the Mississippi. We were not supposed to get out on the wall but there were three boats there and we walked between the boats as we pleased. There was a nice park that we were able to take the dingy to and let the dogs run and play.

On the wall at Kaskaskia Lock

The morning of September the 19th we left shortly before daylight as we needed to go 110 miles to Boston Bar to Anchor. We would not normally be able to go that far but with about a 4 mph current on the Mississippi it was doable.
Our anchorage at Boston Bar was somewhat eventful. We anchored next to Rendezvous and first thing I took Sadie ashore to do her thing, I stopped and picked up her friend Monte but got called back to the boat just after the dogs got ashore.  The wind had spun the Sadie Too and Rendezvous in a circle and our anchors were now crossed. It took some doing but we were able to get them straightened out. After that we spent the night with both boats on Rendezvous' anchor.

Stern Wheeler seen from Boston Bar

Above is a Mississippi Stern Wheeler which we saw pass while at Boston Bar. Not sure of which one it was as I could not read that name, even with the binoculars.
On the morning of the 20th of September we left Boston Bar for the remaining  7 miles to the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. One of the boats traveling with us said for us to go ahead and they would catch up. About 20 minutes down river they called and said they had run aground. Our cruising speed is 8 mph and with the 4mph current we were going 12 mph. We had gone 4 miles down river and going back up our speed was 4 mph. Luckily Rendezvous was faster than us and got back somewhat faster and was able, after may attempts, pull them off the rocks. They had a bent Prop and bottom damage but were able to continue.
After our second departure from Boston Bar we traveled down the Mississippi to the Ohio River and began traveling up river. We had heard horror stories about long waits at the locks on the Ohio River, due to construction on the new Olmstead lock and Dam, plus lock 52 has had their main lock chamber shut down for maintenance which left the smaller Aux. Chamber for all traffic. The Commercial traffic was waiting up to 36 hours.
We were lucky and we were able to pass thru the first lock on the Ohio, which is at Dam #53. This dam is a weir dam and during periods of high water the wickets are lowered and the water flows over the dam and the lock doors are opened and traffic passes thru the locks. We only had to wait less than an hour for a pilot boat to escort us through the construction area of the new Olmstead lock and dam which will eventually replace both lock and dam 53 and the next lock and dam upriver #52.

Pilot Safety Boat thru Lock 53

Our group thru Lock 53 (Sadie Too is 3rd boat)

Single file transit thru Olmstead Lock construction area
(Sadie Too is 3rd boat)

Our wait at lock 53 was only about an hour but the lock was very slow and with the delays of this morning we did not get to our intended anchorage until after dark. We anchored at Cumberland Toe Head, where the Cumberland River runs into the Ohio. We got there after dark and Sadie had to go ashore. I took her ashore on Cumberland Toe Head Island. I stepped out of the dingy and sank to my knees in mud. I could not reach the radio in the dingy so I had to get out on my own but after a long struggle I got loose. Needless to say Sadie and I brought lots of mud back to the boat.
The next day September 21st we traveled up the Cumberland River to the Barkley Lock and Dam which forms Barkley Lake.
From the Dam we only had to go a couple of mile to Green Turtle Bay Marina for our next Stop.

Cumberland River

 

Approaching Barkley Dam

Entering Barkley Lock

New Adventures From Connie on Peoria to Grafton

We pulled out of Peoria early with wind and rains heading our way.  During the day we passed Coon Hollow Island and Jackass Marsh.  Where do people come up with these names.  When the rains finally came, we relished the cool down.  90 degrees was very warm when at times we didn't have shade nor breezes.  At this point we ran into friends from PA whom we had met earlier, Jeff and Rhonda, Rhon Da Vous, from Pennsylvania.  It is always fun to have someone else to travel with.  Tall Timbers Marina, near Havana IL, was an interesting marina.  They had dockside portable johns that were cutely decorated, didn't smell and were very clean.  I really didn't mind using them, and they were right outside our slip. 

The next morning the weather was cooler, and we got to sleep in and take long showers, because we knew tonight we would not have the amenities.  As we tied to the Logston Barges, we had to hike a levee wall, several building stories high, to go into the town of Beardstown.  I hiked the wall twice, but Marv hiked several times.  He had to register, he took Sadie for a walk, again when we walked across town to grocery shop, when we went across town again for dinner, and he took Sadie for a few more walks.  When we went grocery shopping, I sat in the shade on a parking curb by a restaurant with Sadie.  I sure got a lot of odd looks by everyone who drove by...especially the police officer who went by twice.  The barge tie up was not so cool.  We had river traffic and waves all night...not horrible, as Marv mentioned, the alarms went off during the night telling us we were taking on water.  As Marv was in the belly of the boat and things going from bad to worse, I was in the salon trying to figure out the best way to help...or not.  He finally found a wooden plug which we previously wondered why they had been left on the boat.  Boy am I glad we didn't unknowingly throw them out!  Then we countered bugs from having the lights on during the plumbing episode.  In spite of all, I am so grateful that Marv can fix almost everything.  Then the barge company awoke us early the next morning to get to the lock.  Apparently, the next lock down the river had been damaged or hit by a tow and they were closing the lock to do repairs.  We didn't spend much time getting ready.  We grabbed clothes and hit the river.  As we flew by our friends, Rhon Da Vous, who were anchored down river behind an island, I called to let them know we had to hurry to the lock.  They did the same thing we did and followed in quick pursuit.  As we waited at the lock, we all grabbed breakfast bars and lots of ice water to get ready for another hot day.

We spent 4 nights at the Grafton Marina.  Rhonda and I took the marina courtesy van to Jerseyville IL to do grocery and supply shopping.  We toured the small town of Grafton on several walks, and shared a dinner at a local winery with Jeff and Rhonda.  Marv and I again used the courtesy van to go to Jerseyville for mechanical supplies.  Sadie and I were in delight to ride in a land mobile.  Now this courtesy van was interesting.  The brakes squeal, and the steering column grinds as you turn corners.  On both adventures we were glad to get back to the marina without incident.  While at Grafton we met several other loopers, and we learned the practice of docktails.  When you are ready to socialize, you take your preferred beverage, snack and chairs and sit on the dock.  Within a short time, you will be joined by two to twenty more ready to share stories of adventure and sights seen and to be seen.  It is always fun to meet new friends.

We are soon to go onto the Mississippi.  I'm feeling a little apprehensive. 

Peoria, IL to Grafton, IL

On September 8th, after spending the Labor Day weekend at Illinois Valley Yacht Club we once again resumed our trip down the Illinois River. Just a few miles from Peoria we transited the Peoria Lock with almost no wait.


Entering the Peoria Lock

Our next overnight Stay was at Tall Timbers Marina, a small but very nice Marina in Havana, IL. This was a very Dog friendly community and Sadie had lots of room to run.

The "Sadie Too" at Tall Timbers Marina Havana, IL

Our next overnight stay was one of the most interesting. We spent the night tied up to a grain barge at Logsdon Tug and Barge in Beardstown, IL. Logsdon it a family tug boat operation that allows travelers to tie up to their barges near their office. The only down side is that you have to climb stairs to get over a very high levy. We braved it anyway and went grocery shopping and had dinner at a pretty good Mexican restaurant.
During the night our bilge pump alarm went off and while I was trying to find out where the water was coming from, the air conditioning pump came apart in my hand. Luckily the next day I was able to have a new pump overnighted to Grafton Marina a couple of days down river.

The "Sadie Too" at Logston Tug and Barge Beardstown, IL

We were awakened early the next morning by one of the people working at Logsdon, with the news that the La Grange lock about 8 miles down stream would be closing for emergency repairs and if we wanted to get through the lock we needed to leave immediately. We did and made it through before they closed it.
The scenery on the lower Illinois River is pretty much the same as there are high Levy's on both sides of the river in most areas. The following are a few pictures of this stretch of river.

Interesting Structure on the lower Illinois River

Typical Scene along the Lower Illinois River

Typical Houses along the River

Our next overnight stay was at anchor behind Willow Island. This was our first night at anchor and our first time to have to load Sadie in the dingy and take her to shore to relieve herself. This proved to be a fairly easy operation and Sadie loves to ride in the dingy. During the night a storm came up and lasted well into the next day. Our morning trip to shore, after pumping about 2 inches of water out of the Dingy, was in a downpour. The up side is that it was a very warm rain, so we put on swimsuits and traveled in the rain.

Car Ferry at Kempsville, IL

Another House along the River

Cliffs along the Lower Illinois River Near the Mississippi River

As we came closer to the Mississippi River the scenery changed to higher land and lots of rock cliffs.
Our next stay was at Grafton Marina in Grafton, IL at the confluence of the Illinois River and the Mississippi River.
While we were checking in at Grafton Marina, Fed Ex delivered our new air conditioner pump and soon we had AC again.
While in Grafton our main Bilge Pump began running continuously when in auto operation. I was able to get another Bilge Pump but needed some plumbing parts to make it work, and we had available to us the Marina's courtesy van to drive to another town, Jerseyville, to the Farm and Home Supply store. They had what I needed and we were soon back in business.
Grafton is a very interesting town, Its entire existence is dependent upon tourism. Most of the town is Brew Pubs, Wineries, and restaurants. They have a zipline and other tourist activities. During the week the town is almost empty but on the weekend the town is packed.