Monday, September 22, 2014

Day 425 September 21 59 mi Hoppies Kimmswick MO

From the Illinois River, we enter the Upper Mississippi River at Mile 218 and then travel south to Mile 0 passing through two locks, where we join the Ohio River which leads us to the Cumberland River.
The current, in normal conditions, runs between 3 and 4 mph.....but for us it is running @ 5 mph.  The weather can make or break this journey and it is looking good for us.

Early morning departure....7AM with four boats leaving Grafton Harbor Marina


We are the 4th boat 
 
 
 Grafton Harbor Marina....nice place
 
 
 
Beautiful bluffs near Alton
 
 
Our Lady of the Rivers Shrine
 
This 50 foot shrine was built after the disastrous flood of 1951 as gratitude for the water stopping just short of flooding the village of Portage des Sioux.
 
 
Flock of the American White Pelicans
 
 
Later Date....Bayport MN...joins our group
 
 
 Piasa Bird from the water
 
 
Aton Belle Casino Boats
 
 
Mel Price Lock and Dam with a 23 foot drop....lots of trash
 
 
Lee Ann Ingram....northbound
 
 
Entering the Chain of Rocks Canal
 
 
Good Directions....rapids the other way
 
 
Lots of barges waiting
 
 
But....we are next after the Northbound comes up
 
 
30-45 minute wait 
 
 
Want me to help Captain
 
 
Robin B Ingram.....3x5...northbound
 
 
Chain of Rocks Lock and Dam....12 foot drop....Last lock on the Mississippi
 
 
Gates open....Big Barge waiting to enter
 
 
 
Leaving the Chain of Rocks Canal back into the Mississippi
 
 
Here we come.....downtown St. Louis MO
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Brings back lots of memories
 
 
Beautiful homes
 
 
What a view from the river
 
 
Hoppies Marine Services
 
This is the only place to get fuel for the next 107 miles and the only marina for the next 228 miles.  Dockage is at three 100 foot barges tied into a high stone cliff with cables.  The town of Kimmswick is within walking distance.
We are met by Hoppie, daughter Deb and others to get 5 boats pointed upstream, and tied.  Lots of current and wind......
 
 
Freedom comes in after us
 
 
We have a port tie....Saddi has a new ramp built in Grafton
 
 
Because this could collect at your stern if you were pointed downstream
 
 
Daily "river" briefing
 
 
Fern knows the Mississippi River
 
 
Michelle and Dave......Sheli and Steve
 
 
Cary and Martha
 
 
They help with the Sunday evening potluck....delightful ladies
 
 
Fern and the Captain....what a treat to finally meet her
 
Gas boats fill up....diesel boats can make GTB......afternoon spent with Fern and she tells us about the Mississippi River....She and her husbands are legends!!!!
Potluck dinner this evening.....59 miles.....total of 1656 this season....
 
The following boats are traveling together....Nanseann, Freedom, Just Us, Puraa Vida, Later Date and Snailmail....so there will be six going to Little Diversion to anchor tomorrow night.....110 miles....6:30AM departure.....
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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