Log Extracts 9/13 to 9/15

09/13:  Away at 0710, partly cloudy, kinda gray day, light winds and warm. Ran at 15 kts for over 2 hours, then throttled back to join Gemini Dream for a ride down the last Illinois River lock.  Arrived in Grafton, IL (jumping off point for arduous 218 mile trip down the mighty Mississippi at 1530 following a run of 103 miles.

Cruising down this part of the river was pretty much the same scenery. Due to low water levels, we are below levies. Being a small pleasure craft (PC) cannot see up and over! Frequently google mapped to see where we were if off the river! Grafton is at the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. In 1993 the town was destroyed with a 38” flood but has rebuilt with wineries, antique and craft stores. Did find a BP gas station and purchased road maps of IL and MO. Met 2 more Loopers. One was detouring to St Charles, MO to pick up a wife who was joining them for their next leg. See---anyone can join us also enroute---just need to have plans re: where and when you’d want to get off and transportation from there. Dinner: Chicken Taco Salad

Miles this Leg; 103; Total Miles; 1,301

09/14:  Away at 0945 following a rainy night.  Grey skies, chilly (wore long pants for 1^st time since late spring) winds easterly, light.  Cleared last Mississippi lock before the Ohio River (218 miles away) at 1325.  Passed the St Louis waterfront, crowded with traffic, mostly large (15 barge) Tows.  Once south of SL things returned to rural normal and the skies cleared.  Arrived at Hoppie’s Marina (series of linked barges (one was made in 1949 at the Missouri Valley Steel Works, Leavenwoth, KS) moored to shore) at 1600, assisted by a 2.5 knot current.

Hoppie’s is a historical landmark in its own right. It has been in service since 1934. Hoppie’s family was river lamplighters. His wife’s, Fern, family were tow captains. The only service they provide is: 1. The ONLY place to dock before Kentucky Lake; 2. Gas and diesel, water and power hook up; 3. And Fern’s incredible knowledge of the river. She gives “classes” to all boaters re: the river, anchorages (all but 1 or 2 are silted in), tow traffic, safety re: avoiding tows while maneuvering the narrow twisty turns, tying up overnight at the only lock that lets you do it---cannot get off due to 9/11 security, etcetcetc. She is delightful lady with only her love of the river and boating that exceeds her knowledge shared. Hoppie’s is ¼ mle walk from Kimmswick, a town of 200, 2^nd oldest town in MO, ½ buildings on National Register of Historic Places. Luckily we were here on the 2^nd Friday of the month where the town stays open until 8 PM. Homes are antique, craft and gift stores, bakeries and one nice Restaurant (even mentioned by Oprah). A CW band was playing, CU and the Retirees (aptly named) in front of a home. All in all great fun. Haleigh and Jada were magnets for hugs and attention by all ages. They were in heaven. Haleigh is back to being Haleigh---thank goodness. 72 hours ago I wasn’t sure she was going to make it home with us.! Dinner: Beef stew

Miles this Leg; 51; Total Miles; 1,352

09/15/12  Off at 1130 on a cloudy, cool morning.  On the way to an intermediate stop about 40 miles downstream.  Much barge traffic, all upstream; we have yet to pass a downstream tow.  Great new tool, AIS, tells me where traffic is w/in 10 mile radius; name of vessel, location, speed etc.  No more blind corners.  Arrived in the rain at Kaskasia Lock (tied up to wall) at 1515 hours after a run of  37 miles.

I woke to a beautiful sunrise over the Mississippi. Many tows with their barges passed going up and down river during the night. Began the day with an hour walk through Kimmswick. After all the activity from the night before, it was peaceful and quiet…..easier to imagine what it might have been like in 1859. We had a leisurely morning as with only 42 miles to go, why hurry. Also wanted to let the “girls” get a chance for another walk as tonight we are tied to the Kaskaskia Lock’s dock-meaning it’s a dinghy ride for a puppy potty ashore. Turned out the Lock Master said we could let them use the concrete wall as long as we cleaned it up…but is not their idea of a place to pee. This is the ONE challenge we face—as do others with 4 legged critters. Stay tuned. If it weren’t for this dock it would be a 157 mile run down to the first still above water anchorage---that would be iffy for us in daylight hours. Late afternoon a 55ft Trawler arrived at the wall with us. Is a couple with a 6 year old daughter—and dog---from Brazil. They left Brazil 6 years ago---via South America, the Caribbean, picked up the Loop in FL. When finished with the Loop in FL they will then head to Europe. Tomorrow will be a long day, starting with first light-117 miles to the mouth of the Ohio and an anchorage.

Dinner: Filet Cherbourg (burgers with mushrooms and blue cheese), fresh vegetable sauté (asparagus, corn, squash, onions, garlic, basil and rosemary). The green “keep your produce fresh bags” have kept my own basil and purchased romain fresh for 2+weeks!