Wow – we have
been internet challenged for days. Need
to backtrack. Looks like I'll have to break this into 2 posts...here we go!
TUESDAY,
SEPT 16 - M/V Midas Touch came by at 7AM and asked if we wanted to go through
next lock with as a group of 6 boats (4 trawlers and 2 sailboats) and we
did. We were all off the wall by 7:30
and heading for the Brandon Road L&D.
We were
still on the Des Plaines River at this point.
About 14 miles below the lock we joined the Kankakee River and are now
officially on the Illinois River. We went through many areas that were marked as Conservation areas. We saw lots of these blinds, at least I guess that is what they were. I haven't had time to look them up. Still seeing lots of waterfowl, maybe even more as we go.
On to Dreseden
L&D. We often have to do what we
call rafting together when there is not enough room on the walls of these locks
for all of us. We tie 2 boats together
and the inside boat rides down with the boat that is handing lines next to the
dock.
Got through
both of these locks pretty quickly so the whole group decided to go for lock 3
of the day. We scooted down towards the
Marseilles lock winding our way through barges and then had to wait for over 4
hours. One of our group called to make
sure they hadn’t forgotten about us as night was approaching. The lockmaster said to standby, he knew we
were there. About ½ hour later we heard
him call the northbound tow boat that we all thought was already in the
lock. Lockmaster asked where they were
at and they said no one had called to tall them to approach and enter the
lock. So the lock sat there open, with
no one in it for maybe close to an hour.
Needless to say there were a bunch of unhappy loopers. It was really getting dark. By the time we all got through the lock it
was dark and very hard to see. We all
headed for Heritage Harbor Marina just north of Ottawa. The marina staff had gone for the day. Thankfully we had been in communication with
others Loppers already staying there and they knew we were all coming. The harbor hosts Dennis and Sandy along with
the Loopers helped us all find slips and get tied to the docks. Who was there to tie us up but our
French-Canadian friend Simon, we meet again!
It was almost 8:30 and the group had had it. Most went directly to the restaurant but we
made a plate of nachos and hung out with Molly.
WEDNESDAY,
SEPT 17 – We took a much needed shower and together with John and Karen (Captain
Jack the cat’s humans) from Sundowner, took one of the marina’s courtesy vans
and went for a supply run to Walmart.
The other John was driving and they have been looping for a while. Well apparently he forgot the red lights mean
stop! It was an adventure just going to
the grocery, many laughs were had by all.
As soon as
we got back we headed out. We were just
dying to anchor and get out of the marina scene. Found a beautiful spot near Sheehan Island at
Buffalo Rock State Park. Dropped the
anchor and took in the peace and quiet.
Thought we would do some exploring on our dinghy Marley and put the
motor on him. Went out for a ride near
shore when the flying carp really started to fly!! WOW – you hear about them but until you
actually see it, it is hard to believe.
We throttled down the motor and they seemed to calm.
Back to the
boat for dinner and some down time. The
water flattened out and it was a nice sunset.
Went out after dark when we heard a boat approaching and it was a
modified pontoon boat with tons of lights on it. They were flying by the shoreline and the
carp were really flying! It was
incredible. Wish we would have had cameras at the ready. That was our big excitement for
the night.
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