Down the Illinois Waterway

We left Chicago Yacht Club this morning, Thursday, Sept. 13. Went through the Lake Michigan Lock and right through downtown Chicago. All those people rushing around as we gracefully glided down the Chicago River at 6 MPH. Only had to open one bridge, the Amtrak RR Bridge. Arrived at the bridge where three other boats were waiting, and had been for about 30 minutes. As we arrived, the bridge opened and we fell into line as the fourth boat. As we arrived at the lock at Lockport, we caught up with three more boats who had been waiting for awhile. Again as we arrived, the lock opened up. The lockmaster brought in the two longest boats first, put them next to the left wall, and then brought in the next four largest boats to raft up to the first two. The two shortest boats were left, ourselves at 43' and a 39' trawler. He sent us to the front of the lock chamber on the right side and had the 39' trawler load in behind us. He requested we leave first. Not bad, last in, first out.
We took this picture of the other seven boats, all "Loopers", that followed out of the Lockport Lock.

As we proceeded down the river we were the only boat who could get under the 16' bridges without an opening, so we kept rolling along while the other 7 boats waited for bridges to open. We had a very efficient day! We made it to Joliet and are tied up to the town wall where they have free dockage with power, great deal!

On Friday we proceeded further down the river, got to Ottawa, IL and another free town dock with power. Before leaving Saturday morning we walked around town. Ottawa was a neat little town and on Saturday morning they set up a farmers market at the town square. Bought some goodies and then headed back to the boat and on down the river. Had planned to spend the night at the Chillicothe, IL town dock but learned from another "Looper" that the local police were asking boaters spending the night to leave, so we went a little further to Hamm's Holiday Marina for the night. We had 11 "Loopers " there for the night. Found a little Lutheran Church in town so biked to their Sunday morning service. Later in the day Randall Peters sister and father came to visit the boat, they wanted to see first hand the results of all the work Randall and I had put into the boat. We had a nice visit and lunch.

On Monday, September 17, we again headed south on the river with the intention of getting to Tall Timbers Marina in Havana, IL. Called ahead and found they were full. Stopped at the city dock in Peoria and learned that after Labor Day the dock is free and available for overnight dockage, complete with power. We joined four other boats we have been traveling with for the afternoon and night. Took a nice afternoon bike ride around town.

Today, Tuesday September 18, we have made it to Tall Timber Marina. Will leave here tomorow and spend two nights on the hook before arriving at the Mississippi River.

Like so frequently happens, our plans change with the situation. We did anchor out on Thursday night behind Bar Island, 94 miles up the Illinois River. We got a early start on Friday, September 20, and with the nice day and the push of the river, we traveled 101 miles to Alton, IL.