Friday 08/20/2021
Day Miles: 42
Total Miles: 7511
Travel Days: 144
Total Days: 296
Saturday 08/21/2021
Day Miles: 138
Total Miles: 7649
Travel Days: 145
Total Days: 297
Sunday 08/22/2021
Day Miles: 68
Total Miles: 7717
Travel Days: 146
Total Days: 298
Friday:
We could see the 1st lock on the Mississippi from our slip at the Alton Marina. I called them on the radio and they said to come on down. We cast lines and had a nice smooth lock experience for our 1st lock on the Mississippi. One thing about the Mississippi is the Wing Dams. Basically stone walls that come out from the shoreline for about 100 yards or so. I had heard about these and thought I would see a few along the way. We actually saw a few hundred, they were everywhere along both shores all the way down the river.
Leaving Alton Marina
Wind Dam
About 10 miles below, we passed the Missouri River and entered the canal for the Chain of Rocks Lock. We hailed them and after about a 10-15 minute idle speed the upbound tow exited and we went in. Only 2 locks on the Mississippi and both were very smooth. On the 2nd lock we had another 1st, where we did not tie off, but instead just floated in the chamber. A little bit of wind but no turbulence.
Missouri River
Missouri River
You do not want to go right, maybe in a kayak, maybe.
After the lock we idled past the St. Louis Arch. It is bigger in person than in pictures.If you look, that is Boyle-n-Water going by the arch!
There were some nice views on our way to Hoppies Marina. The other thing about the Mississippi River is barges. They are everywhere also. They even just anchor them out in the middle of the river.
Passing the Budweiser Plant. I raised a toast to Dad later :).
Anchored barges
Wing dam
We stopped at Hoppies which is a landmark for Loopers. It is the last place to get fuel for 205 miles. It has struggled over the last couple of years, so we were happy to get fuel and tied up on one of the barges. We walked up into town to eat lunch at the Blue Owl. They are known for their pies, so even though we had no room after lunch, we still got a to go piece.
Nice stone wall and house
Our pie for dessert.
Saturday:
Our plan on Saturday was to anchor out for the night instead of trying to run the 205 miles and 1 lock to Paducah. The 1st option was about 95 miles to Little Diversion Creek. With the rain that they had the night before, it did not look like a good option. We went onto Brown's Chute which was 138 miles. Long day but we got safely anchored behind Brown's Island out of the channel. It was nice that we were getting a 3mph push from the Mississippi current.
Our anchorage for the night
The anchor held well in the current and we did not have any issues, but we also did not sleep very well either.
Sunday:
We left early and were anxious to get back onto the Ohio River.
Leaving our anchorage.
Entering the Ohio River
The lock on the Ohio is a Wicket Dam. With the high water, we had to wait until the gates were lowered and current was not raging through the dam. We then proceeded through the middle of the dam over the wicket gates. The 3mph current help on the Mississippi disappeared and we were now fighting a 3mph current going the other way.
Fort along the river.
We made it to Paducah and got cleaned up. It had been a long few days. Paducah is know for it's murals painted on the flood wall.
We walked up to Braussard's Cajun house for dinner. Not much for Marcia to choose from on the menu, but I had multiple options. I settled for the gumbo and Jambalaya. Both were very good.
Tomorrow is a HUGE day for us as we will "cross our wake". Thirteen miles up the Ohio river, we will enter the Cumberland river where we turned off the Ohio almost 2 years ago. Wish us luck!
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