ROLLING DOWN THE RIVER

We left Lake life and entered River life when we entered the first lock as we left Chicago. Since that was our first lock, we were a little nervous. The Lock Master was very helpful and talked us through the process. We have encountered 9 locks since that initial one and overall they haven’t been too bad. Sometimes the biggest issue we have had to deal with is waiting to enter into the Locks. Commercial traffic will always have a higher priority than Pleasure Boaters! After a month of traveling and experiencing the rivers, we now understand why as the scope and volume of barges and tows that traverse the river ways carrying cargo is incredible. But the hardest part of waiting is that you must constantly be prepared to enter the lock when the Lock Master says he is ready for us. Before entering a lock, we need to set up the Big Defender Balls and the Fenders to keep us off the slimy, wet walls. Life Jackets are always put on when locking through. We have Head Sets called “Marriage Savers” so we can politely talk to one another. LOL! We put those on to communicate with one another when entering and departing the lock. As we rolled down the river through the Chicago city and countryside, we encountered the Amtrak Railroad Bridge where we waited for 45 minutes. Our first night after leaving Chicago, we tied up to the Joliet Wall with 3 other Looper Boats. We plugged into shore power for the night and didn’t have to run our Generator. Up early – 5:00am to head to Ottawa Marina where we had dinner with more Loopers. It was so good to be rolling down the river with our newly found Looper friends. We left Ottawa and headed to Henry where we actually stayed in the very first lock that was built on the Illinois River. Of course it isn’t being used now and it was pretty rustic and crumbling, but how unique! After Henry, we stopped in Peoria for a few days to clean up the boat and provision before moving onto Havana where we anchored at Quiver Island. Our large group that we had been traveling with, was starting to whittle down. Fortunately, a couple from Canada Donna and Leo on Moon Dragon who hadn’t really anchored much before, joined us on our first adventure in anchoring. It worked out well thankfully. The next day we both anchored out again successfully behind a Wicket Dam at the LaGrange Lock and Dam. A Wicket Dam is used to help regulate water flow. If the water level is high enough, you go right over the dam. But if the water level is low as it is right now, you need to go through the lock. So we went through the lock and anchored on the other side of it, just after the Dam. We had the opportunity to watch a large barge come through the lock. It was so big that they had to send part of the barge through the lock and park it on the bank of the river to wait for the other half of the barge and the tow to come through the lock. They then attached the two parts and proceeded on down the river. It is fascinating to see the amount of commercial traffic that is moving along the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers.

After2 nights of anchoring, it was so nice to arrive at the town of Grafton and stay at a marina and have power and water right there at the dock. And lots of local restaurants too! Lee from Elba and his cousin, Jacki were there and we spent some time with them and MD usually eating dinner. LOL! Aerie’s had a chairlift that took us up to a winery with a gorgeous view of the mighty Mississippi. There was a pretty unique wood working shop in town and we found a coffee and fudge shop too – Yum! We also borrowed a courtesy car and went into town to provision before we headed back on the river where there would be no restaurants.

We did stop at the town of Alton where the final Lincoln and Douglas debate took place. It is also known for Robert Wadlow, the world’s tallest man. And Miles Davis, a legendary Jazz musician was born in Alton. We left Moon Dragon in Alton as they were flying home to Canada. So Lee and his buddy Jon joined us as we meandered down the river further.