Back on the Journey
September 13

We were anxious to leave - note the moon still out in the morning

The lock house at Starved Rock Lock

Tuesday, September 13

We left the marina at 6:20 am and were joined in the Starved Rock Lock by two other Loopers, Harem and Wilhemina.   After the lock they left us in the dust as we are much slower.

Beautiful Krogan Express from Michigan

 We found the scenery on this section of the Illinois River a little boring but I did see a bald eagle.  We traveled 59 miles and docked at EastPort Marina in Peoria.  We got stuck in the mud getting into the marina but the folk from Harem, who had already docked, helped us to warp in. (use lines). Here is Kerm in the glow of the sunset...   

My Captain

Wednesday, September 14

Slept well and enjoyed a WONDERFUL shower at the marina's new facility.  Got back to the Belle and Kerm was ready to get going right away because he had heard that the lock in Peoria was going to be opening and we wanted to make that opening.

Quick snap of EastPort Marina

Capt. Al and Julie from Harem

Peoria's waterfront

More Peoria Waterfront

Single-hander heading down to Florida for the winter

We didn't make it to the lock in time because a big tow boat came along and commercial traffic gets priority.  We were held up for about two hours and cleared the lock at 10:09.  Delays like this can happen on busy rivers... we have been pretty lucky so far...no complaints but it did shorten our travel day.   

Harem blasting by us after we cleared the lock

At 10:59am I was in the cabin and Kerm was driving upstairs on the fly bridge.  I heard loud noises and thought he had fallen or something.  Concerned, I blasted out of the rear cabin door to go up and check him out.  I was shocked to almost step on a big asian carp flopping around in the rear deck.  I admit I screamed!!  That's what all the noise was.  This fish jumped out of the river and into the Belle. The carp problem is really bad here and I had seen some jumping the day before but this was too close for comfort.  Here are some pictures of him before I poked a boat hook through his mouth and tossed him out through the transon door.

He was slimey and he bled all over the boat...ick

After that excitement we settled down and put on a good 41.3 miles and docked at Tall Timbers Marina. along with Passport, Old Glory and our friends from Harem.  We got in early 3:03pm so I walked into the town, Havana.  It was a cute little town and I bought some supplies at the Dollar General store. 

Tall Timbers Marina

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We cooked pizza on a little gas grill because we thought we had run out of propane for the oven.  It worked reasonably well,or maybe we were just hungry.  Either way, we ate and went to bed before it got too cold outside.  It is getting chilly!!!

That's all for now,

Christie