Thursday, September 15

Warren and I

After a good sleep, we departed Tall Timbers Marina at 8am.  We were parked in a very squeezed  section of the marina so when it came time to leave we did some very fancy 'warping' to get The Belle out safely.  Kerm did a good job. 

Weather was so cold that Kerm piloted from the lower helm station rather than the fly bridge (which has no curtains) for a long time today.  For breakfast I had nice hot coffee going and Kerm requested chicken noodle soup.  I'm the ship's cook so I don't comment on the captain's unusual dietary/culinary demands.

Breakfast on The Belle

 

On this section of the Illinois and Upper Mississippi Rivers, marinas and fuel stops are few and far between.  In addition to this, there are many locks which give preference to the large tow boats and their long barges.   Consequently, the Loopers are sometimes forced to stay at whatever safe harbors are available...that's what our plan is for tonight.  We are tied up to a barge at the Logsdon Tug Service in Beardstown...no electricity, no potty, no nothing.  

This is the closest to a barge that I've ever been

It was slippery, so the rule was no stepping outside the cabin without a life jacket

You can see one of the tug boats in this picture

 When I clambered over the barges to the office to pay for our overnight stay I asked what the combination to the hot tub/fitness area was....causing very subdued merriment.

Tomorrow we want to make it to Grafton which will be a long day...so it's early to be.  After all there is no free cable TV here at Logsdon Tug Service to keep us up.


Friday, September 16


Despite being rocked around somewhat by tows going back and forth during the night, we both slept well. We were up at 5:45 anxious to get going.  Our 'barge partners' on Passport called the lock and were told that if we hurried we would probably get through.  So we both warmed up the diesel motors and took off.  When we got to the lock were were told that it would be an hour and a half wait due to a bid tow that had come in.  BUMMER.
 
I made a big fried egg and potato skillet breakfast to fill the time.  It was good.

After a 2 hour wait we finally got into the lock.  This delay blew our plan to reach Grafton so we had to re-adjust.  We made it to Hardin at almost 6pm and we were exhausted.  It was a 68.1 mile day but it seemed longer.  Hardin was another 'no services' tie up place but there was a restaurant so I went over and got us each a piece of pie...turned out to be the best pie ever!!!

We went to bed after watching a big tow boat almost slam into the Hardin Railroad Bridge.  Those guys are amazing.

Saturday, Sept. 17

Woke up and Kerm was ready to go...no pictures of  Mel's Illinois River Restaurant or our humble tie-up.  It was panic stations to get out in the river in front of a tow/barge.  After a hasty but successful departure we merged in front of the tow and I could settle down to a cup of coffee and wake up properly.

Headed for Alton today.

Hold on...change of plans.  The city of Grafton is having its 175th birthday and we decide to pull in to  Grafton Marina instead of pushing on to Alton.

I went into town and enjoyed the small town parade (good but not as good as Afton's).  All kinds of activity, patriotic boat parade, softball, speeches, a re-enactments of the opening of the river road, car show, bands and...

A pirate ship

and a shark boat

There are going to be fireworks tonight.  I'll try to get pictures

 Signing off for now.
Will post again soon...love to all

Christie