Post # 8

We are finishing up the Illinois River this week, if all goes well we should be on the Mississippi on Wednesday. From Chicago to the junction where the Illinois meets the Mississippi is about 325 miles.

We left Lake Michigan through the Chicago lock & Dam which only lowers you 2 feet. This lock & dam was constructed to reverse the flow of the Chicago River! From there our journey took us directly through the heart of the city. We locked through just before sunrise; which gave us beautiful views of the sun reflecting off the buildings.

Once we snaked our way out of the city; the rivers views became more commercial & industrial, with a great deal of barge traffic. It is amazing how many of the United States commodities are moved with our river system. I am impressed with how these captains handle these giant barges most of them 3 wide 6 deep to where the captain is driving in the rear in a “pusher”.  To top that off as I’m sure you know the river does not run in a straight line. They also have recreational boaters to deal with; all in all they are quite friendly & helpful.

I can’t help but laugh at some of the names on the charts…..really every river has a “devils elbow”. That can’t help but grab ones attention. Then when we were about 20 miles into the Illinois River we encountered signs along the shore warning us that the river was electrified; and we needed to call the Coast Guard. It also told us we should not swim, fish or be on the outside of the boat. Our first thought was can we really go through here and just how safe is this. The Coast Guard told us it was safe to travel on through just to be careful of the Asian Carp and follow the rules. This is to keep the Asian Carp from getting into the Great Lakes where they would reek havoc.  Again way to grab ones attention.

 I’m not sure if you have heard about the Asian

Carp that have been on the news. Well I’m here to tell ya    IT’S TRUE……THEY ARE CRAZY! I have attached a video of them to this post I hope it attaches for you to enjoy. Don’t worry I have decided to leave the catfish noodlen’ to the professional!

Here are a few of the locations where we have spent the night along the river so far:

JOLIET: They had ALL of the semi’s from Nascar lined up for a parade right next to the town dock. That was quite a site. (of course I got pictures.)

OTTAWA: We again were at the town dock. Most of the town docks are under the highway bridges. I told Ed I’m starting to feel like bridge people. Ottawa is a old town that has a lot of pride. They have taken very good care of the buildings in town and the area seems to thrive.

HENRY: We were tied to an old abandoned lock wall, peaceful and quiet.

PEORIA: Again bridge people….we tied up in a 25’ slip & we’re a 40’ boat. Ah but they had October fest going on, we of course like to support the local events so we enjoyed a few very good German beers.

BEARDSTOWN: The have no dock they do have two bridges although you cannot tie up to them. The local Tug service (aka barge mover) allows boaters to moor off from barges that are parked in front of his Tug Shop. A buck a foot no power, bathroom or dock. So you tie off a barge and walk along the barges to make your way to shore. It is an interesting way of life along this stretch.

Well today we are heading to a restaurant that has a barge out front, The River Barge Restaurant creative name huh. They allow you to tie up overnight for small fee. They also recommend you eat at their restaurant during your stay. The docking along the river system is very limited, it is very difficult to maintain any type of marina or dock space as the river depths are constantly changing. During high water times so much crud comes flowing down river it tends to wipe out even the most extensive dock & barge set ups.

Well I guess I have babbled on long enough my turn to take the helm for a bit our next writing will be from the Mississippi River.

Miss Ya’ All