The Rest of the Illinois

Fri-Thurs Sept 15-21

We finally left Joliet with many other boats and we all got through Brandon Road Lock and Dam without a delay. The go-fast boats were speedy and got through the next lock Dresdan quickly.

We waited so long, the cows went home!

Five of us slow boats waited and waited. It was 6:30 pm by the time we exited the lock. The nearest marina is 2 hours away, but as it got darker we had to slow down. It was 9:30 in the dark dark dark before we found the marina. We were exhausted, but at least we were tied safely to a dock. The Illinois locks are pretty old and have a lot of barge traffic. With only one small lock chamber, the process is very slow.

The next day we were prepared to wait again, but it was only a 2 hour wait for the Marseilles Lock. The lockmaster wanted 2 boats to raft to us on the starboard side of the lock and 2 boats to raft to the boat on the port side of the lock. Made for lots of conversation!

It was a short cruise to Heritage Harbor to spend the weekend at their very nice marina. There were lots of loopers there for a big dinner in their restaurant! I am not one for a big birthday celebration, but Kelly forgot....he is in deep ship!!
                       

After borrowing the courtesy car to get a few items from the store, we were ready on Monday to travel on down the Illinois River. We got in and out of the Starved Rock lock really fast. The cruise was relaxing and we enjoyed the sites. We can see that fall is arriving. And look at those Asian carp jumping!!!

Here's the best part of Peoria, their cruise ship.

We pulled into a marina for the night, but it sure was a pain trying to get out the next day after the water level dropped. This guy in a john boat assisted.

We received word that a barge went aground and the Corps of Engineers closed the river at mile 77. We kept going downriver hoping that the news was wrong. We found Quiver Island with enough water that five boats anchored for the night.

Pat and Pete with dog Jude on Resolute

Off the next morning for Logsdon Tug Service. It is exactly as it sounds--several barges for their tows to tie to, but they also let loopers tie up for $1/boat foot. It was another hot hot day.  Four boats - Resolute (Pete and Pat), Mother Ocean (Dennis and Jan), Midas Touch (Mike and Marian) and In Deep Ship walked several blocks to a Mexican restaurant, but their frozen margaritas cooled us off!

We departed right before sunrise to get to the last lock on the Illinois River and get past mile 77 and the skinny water. The barges are still waiting but they are letting anything that needs less that 7' of water pass through!

It was a long day cruising down river and we arrived about 5pm at our last stop on the Illinois River at Grafton Marina.