CATCHING UP - THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, SEPT 18 & 19

THURSDAY, SEPT 18 – Got up and called the next Lock, the Starved Rock L&D.  They told us to come on down that they could get us through in about 45 minutes.  Sounded like a dream compared to our last experience.  Got a text from Sundowner saying all the Looper boats (who were now behind us) had left the marina and were on their way down.  By the time we pulled up anchor and headed out, the floatilla was almost right behind us.  Upon arriving at the lock, we saw another large power boat waiting.  We began to mill about waiting for the lock to clear when the woman on the new power boat started to yell at us saying there was “a pecking order” and was just really nasty.  Was disappointed to see a golden Looper flag on the front of their boat.  I guess I expected more from a “golden” Looper.  I explained to her that all 6 of these boats have been travelling together and that they should not feel threatened about losing their place at the front of the line.  Apparently she did not listen as they positioned their boat right in front of the lock to prevent  anyone from going ahead.  The problem was, it also prevented the towboat coming northbound from getting out of the lock.  Anyway, it all worked out.  It takes all kinds of people to make this world go round I guess.  Once we were in the lock the lady chatted away as if none of the previous events had occurred. 

We encountered some flying carp that were being stirred up by a towboat that got close to shore.  

Time to move on to our next anchorage at Upper Henry Island.  We bid goodbye to our little Looper group as they as they all passed us and went on.  When we reached our spot to anchor, we saw 4 boats anchored down the slough at Lower Henry but we decided to stay at Upper to give Molly some privacy.  Turns out that one of the boats anchored south was M/V Midas Touch from our Looper group, 1 was a couple we met in Hammond and the other were new to us.  Midas Touch came by in their dinghy with their Golden Retriever Midas and invited us down for a drink.  We went down for an hour and met Bob and Cami, the crew of sailboat Eclipse.  Back to our boat for dinner and then up onto the front deck for some star watching.  It was a beautiful clear night and perfect for taking in the heavens.

THE MOLLY REPORT - Molly is doing OK in that she is handling being on the boat OK, no seasickness BUT she is not happy with her mom and dad.  We have been trying to get her to come out of the boat and she prefers to remain below.  She did come out and walked to the bow at the last anchorage so we were hoping to get a nice quiet spot so we could coax her out again and get her used to it.  Well, she came out and jumped right on top of the bimini!  That is the canvas cover that goes over our whole cockpit and she could slide right off!  I got her down and up she went again.  We had bought a big fishnet to have on deck in case she falls in.  We have not yet put lifejacket on her.  Once she is up top more we will give that a try.  She seems to do be doing better at anchor but is scared in the marinas.  There’s a lot of ambient noise, people, dogs, etc. but we’ll keep working on her.

FRIDAY, SEPT 19 – We are off to Peoria for a 2-night marina stay at the IVY (Illinois Valley Yacht) club.  Uneventful trip down.  Peoria lake is big but there is a very narrow channel to make your way down river.  Shallow getting into marina but we made it.  River is still quite high and hoping it stays up enough for us to get out of here in Sunday!  We stopped on the way in for fuel and a pumpout.  Were helped into our slip by some Loopers.  Loopers everywhere!  We were greeted by a couple, Ron & Jan who have completed the loop but live here in Peoria.  The club has a very nice bar that overlooks the marina and the river so up we go to meet more new folks.  This time we met a couple from Washington State, Rich & Pam on It Takes Two.  They trailered their boat to Florida and started the loop 4-1/2 months ago.  Fun to hear their stories.  It is just amazing me that people that live very far from the loop make the trek either with their boat or buy their boat somewhere on the loop just to do this.

I had emailed my cousin Karla who lives here in Peoria and told her we were coming.  She offered to come and pick us up and take us down to the Oktoberfest celebration downtown.  She is a member of the German-American Society and knew a lot of people there.  It was really well done, lots of flowing beer, bands, a little spaetzle (they ran out and we got the last plate), a stein holding contest  and people-watching.  We laughed until we cried, it was great!  

It was wonderful to see her, recount some old memories and make some new ones.

I will try not to get behind again as I know it is not as fun to read these long dissertations.  More adventures to come.  Be well everyone!