Sailing again- Mobile ,Al. to Palmetto,Fl.

A week ago , Friday, we made our way out of Mobile Bay into the Gulf of Mexico  heading east to Pensacola. We were on our way to Florida.The wind was on our bow or some would say 'in our nose' so we could not sail but had to motor all the way. The wind and waves were supposed to calm midday. But instead the winds increased., a great initiation to the big waters .The waves averaged 8-12 feet with a few almost 16 feet. We had hoped to get to our port before dark but the wind and waves slowed us down.We didn't get to our channel to the entrance to Pensacola Bay 'til 6p.m.and it was dark . We were very thankful for our chart plotter and flashing markers[buoys]to guide us through unfamiliar waters and a harbour master who stayed on to guide us to our slip. Just before 8p.m. we made it into Sabine Harbour . Praise God.
 We awoke to a sunny ,warm day and discovered our marina was in a beautiful resort area with white sandy beaches to walk along. We rented a car and made our way out the long peninsula to Fort Pickens. We had a great tour of this historical fort.
 We spent the first Sunday of Advent with the 'McIlwain Presbyterian Church'.and thankful for that.Before we knew it we were picking up our son-in-law, Chris at the Pensacola airport.on Monday evening. He came down to help us do the big crossing to Clearwater ,Florida on Tuesday. Monday evening we charted our course on the charts with plans to leave Tuesday a.m.It was much easier finding our way out the channels to the gulf in daylight but at one point we were not sure we were going anywhere, The waters were low due to tide levels and we had to plough thru some 'skinny water'. A two minute distance took more than 10 minutes.We inched thru.We got out to the gulf and we had strong favourable winds, they were coming from a good direction[west] so the sails went up [ partly reefed]. The winds moved  us at a good speed..The forecast again was for calmer seas midday but we soon realized as the day progressed that big waves and strong winds were the order of the day. Decking life jackets and all 3 harnessing ourselves to the boat we settled in for the long trip. Bill and Chris took turns at the helm. I had a bag of snacks and drinks in the cockpit area  since it wasn't very comfortable 'downstairs'. It did settle a little after dark set in, so we were able to use the autohelm. I did get about  4 hours of sleep but the men only caught short naps. We found we must have been on a good course since other ships were on it too. I think we saw about 7 boats during the night hours.We could detect them on our radar and some bigger ones on our AIS . During the day 3 times dolphins kept us company for a while. They love going up and down in the bow area. pretty cool.
 We were very thankful for how well the boat handled in the rougher seas and  for the good visibility we were given. The wind had calmed on Wed. but we still had rolling swells all the way to Clearwater markers. Again we had to find our way into the marina in the dark.Our flood light helped us find the markers.Since there was no one to meet us and asign us a slip, we tied up to the fuel dock . Before long we were sitting down to a steak dinner.While having supper a knock was heard on our boat and we were asked to move to our slip after we finished eating.
 Again the next day we discovered the  amazing beach area of Clearwater , another sunny Florida resort area. Besides looking after getting a rented car we spent most of the day cleaning ship especially cleaning the salt [water] off the boat and freshening the inside. That evening the excitement was to go to Tampa airport to pick up Juanita and Nora.Thanks for making it come together and Chris, we can't thank you enough for your support and help on our crossing. Friday was a beautiful day. we had lunch in a seafood restaurant and walked the white sand beaches collecting sea shells-relaxing and fun. Saturday noon it was back to  the airport and farewells to Chris , Juanita and Nora.

OIl Rig Mobile Bay

Gulf Crossing

Fort Pickens

Sabine Marina - Pensacola

Chris,Juanita and Nora-Clearwater Beach

Happy hour with John and Ann at Regatta Pointe Marina Palmetto

 Sunday we were able to worship with the American Reformed Fellowship that meet in Palmetto. We met a lot of friends. Among these were John and Ann Bultje. .They joined us on our boat on Monday and sailed with us on Tuesday to our current destination at Regatta Pointe Marina, Palmetto, Fl. We sailed [ mostly motor- sailed]under sunny skies and light winds. Some of their friends were on Snead Island beach when we motored past that area into the Manatee River. We plan to spend the week here and are flying home next Tuesday, Dec. 13.

Mobile, Al . cont.



 

 The rainbow from the last blog

Busy Mobile harbour

Our last anchorage before Mobile was at Little Bayou Canot which was a lovely quiet river just hours from Mobile Bay and Port. Mobile port is one of the busiest ports in America. Lots of Tow/barges, ocean liners guided by tugs, ship yards for building them and repairing them.Our first taste of one of the [world] ports and of salt water and tides. Around 1p.m.Friday we made our way into the Turners marina. where  7 masts[shipped together] would be connected with  their ships.After connecting with fellow sailors who also arrived recently, we settled in and were greeting Ken and Mary[ my sister].They were on a road trip to New Orleans and made their way to Mobile first to see us . We were delighted.. After taking us out for provisions [boat ]we went out for seafood dinner to celebrate our milestone together. The next a.m. after sharing pancake breakfast on board and helping us get to know our computer better they were off.

 Saturday we were able to source out a O.P.C. church.Our friends on 'Kadadi 'had rented a car to take them back to Canada offered to drive us to Church Sunday. Thank you John and Marsha.We had a great Sunday.The Bentleys came to see our boat in the afternoon and we enjoyed a supper and hymn sing at their home.

 Monday, Nov 21 we were thankful the work could start and that Bill was given another year.Thanks for the well wishes, all.
   The mast and the rigging was prepared , Since the weather was favourable Tuesday, the boat was moved alongside the mast so it could be stepped onto it, at the same time the mechanic did any engine work that needed doing . We finally have the alarm sensor repaired.,too. We were very impressed with all the workmanship. thank you Turners!
  Wednesday, Nov. 23  the Turners marina  hosted a wonderful Thanksgiving[American] lunch/dinner. They provided the turkey and ribs and we[the boater guests] all brought a dish or dessert.Right after lunch Tyler came to help Bill put up the sails. They went up like clock work..
Now the boat needed cleaning and preparing for the trip to Pensacola, Florida  where we would meet Chris[our son-in-law] on Monday. He is going to help us do the big crossing to Clearwater.
 Yes,Friday we arrived in Pensacola. Strong winds and huge waves made it a 12 hour trip [instead of 8 as planned] and arrival in the dark. We thanked the Lord for flashing red and green markers , for our chart plotter ,arriving safely at Sabina marina and that the harbourmaster was there to help us dock..
  The warm weather, the palm trees , the white sand beaches made it hard to realize its near the end of November. 

Little Bambo sail boat

The Little Bayou Canot river sharing with '-"Muddy Waters"

Our mast being erected at Turner Marine

Columbus,Ms. to Mobile, Al.

We have arrived at another milestone, only 6 miles from the gulf..Mobile is where we are being reconnected with our mast so that we can actually sail again and not have to motor only.This could save us a fair amount of fuel.Today the technicians are preparing the rigging on land so they can step the mast onto the boat-  likely tomorrow.
 Now I need to backtrack a little and tell you about our trip from Columbus to here.Early Friday a.m. we left Columbus Marina with 5 other boats[ 4trawlers and 1 boat like ours]  to lock thru the next lock. The lockmasters have all been so helpful. 4 of us went in convoy to our anchorage at Sumter Recreation area. A very nice basin or bay with enough room. The Montgomerys in the other sailboat joined us too.3 of the boats in this anchorage were fellow Canadians. Sid and Evelyn on 'Something Special'came all the way from Woodstock, and John and Marsha [on Kadadi] came from Brampton  and their guests hailed from Listowel, On.In each case we had connections with people in their areas.The next day we all locked thru the next lock together[only 2 more locks after this one].The last no. of them have dropped us around 30 feet each.
 Not everyone travels in a motor yacht or mastless sail boat. We saw a canoe loaded with supplies, another little boat made of bamboo sticks, 2 small sails plus a small outboard motor, and 3rd a raft with a square tent section on it.

Sunrise at Demopolis Ms

White cliffs along the Tombigbee river

Town hall in Demopolis

 We made it to Demopolis Yacht  Basin on the Saturday.The section all of us docked in was brand new . Opened 3 months ago. We did manage to find a silted in area that stopped our boat short. We  backed off this easily but it did surprise us . The owner marked it with a stake right away.We had a great weekend here.. Tues.we couldn't depart with the early group since we needed fuel and after that the lock needed some repair work, so we had to wait. The lockmaster called us at 11:30 to head down.Just before dark  that day we anchored [bow and stern]behind the bridge posts away from barge traffic.To our surprise I was awakened at 2 a.m. by a big search light coming from a tow/barge. I got up and heard voices too. They actually were pulling in behind us to anchor there and catch some sleep too. All was well.The next morning there were tornado warnings for our area so we stayed put in our protected anchorage for a few hours . The sky opened to the south of us so we headed down and were given safe travels and amazing skies . The evening before a tow captain passing us and heading north radioed us to tell us to look behind  at the amazing rainbow.We were touched and marvelled again at God's creation  We hope to send a photo of this and the white cliffs we saw on theway.
 Good-bye for now .

Fulton,Ms. to Columbus, Ms.

Hello all
 We have to wait for the lock for a few hours and since some boats left this marina we have wifi access [temporary]. So here goes. We are presently in Demopolis, Alabama with only 217 miles to go to get to the Gulf at Mobile.We hope to get there this Friday or Sat.But first I must tell you about our wonderful stay in Columbus.A city of many ante Bellum homes. Homes built before the civil war. Since the war was over just before the north reached this area these homes are there for visitors to tour. Our friends from the beautiful boathouse in Fulton at Midway marina live in the Columbus area. They went home before we left Midway and insisted on showing us around. when we got there. Thank you Les and Bobby for letting us soak in this city and its stately and  beautifully preserved homes.The highlight was the Waverly Mansion. The George and Lucy Young family built this mansion around 1850 and in time had purchased 50,000 acres to grow mainly cotton .They were an amazing family and really cared for their tenant tenant farmers and slaves. Lucy was also the nurse/druggist.To add to the story they had 10 children.I'm sure they had a huge garden. An ice house , a cotton ginny and many other features added to the story. Upon our arrival we were met by  Meloney who gave us the tour.This property stood empty for 50 years until Meloney's family purchased it when she was 7 years old.That goes back to the early 1960s.I think we could have listened to her stories for 3 days. but in the 2 hours we spent there we sure enjoyed our tour and the history.

Les and Bobby Perkins at Columbus Marina

Waverly Hall

Staircases at Waverly

Birthplace of Tennessee Williams at Columbus

Another Ante Bellum mansion in Columbus

Another highlight was the beautiful churches in Columbus.. I could write a lot about that too but just want to say I'm thankful to see the Lord's church gathering work going on there. While in Columbus we met some Canadian Loopers too . We tavelled with them to Demopolis . Along with tow's and barges, bald eagles. beautiful white cliffs along the rivers we had a great trip to here.

Pebble Isle Marina at New Johnsonville to Midway marina, Fulton,Ms.

This blog takes us from one Sunday to the next with all that happened in between.We had a great Sunday still in New Johnsonville Thanks to courtesy cars and internet. We could go to town to worship in the a.m. and take in a sermon on line in the p.m.thanks to the web site-Jubilee Church in Ottawa.We enjoyed another long walk in the beautiful Park too.

 Monday off on to the Tennessee River , we motored for 62 miles and made it to Clifton marina. Beautiful weather and clear 'sailing'. Here we met up with our Swedish friends on Sea Qwest. It was great to connect with them again. From here we motored on to Pickwick Landing Lock and Dam. Again no waiting time , we called ahead and they were ready to lock us through when we got there. The lockmaster asked about our trip and plans. We had wanted to go to a cove on the left but he advised us to go right since the coves on the left now had new homes and there private docks and little marinas there. We were thankful  for the advice and found a beautiful anchorage in a quiet cove.The next morning we finished our part of the Tennessee River doing some miles of this now lake part of the river and came to the top end of the Tenn--Tom Waterways.In the 70's and early 80's the gov't had a system built that would connect the Tennessee R. with the Tombigbee that flows into the Gulf of Mexico. With canals and locks and dams and using  creeks, rivers and lakes we are given a wonderful waterway to use. In all we will be doing 10 locks on this system. In all our motoring that day we saw no other boats on the move and just before the first lock we anchored  in a beautiful cove.There was room for many boats in the many coves off the main channel  here[at Natchez Trace Recreation area].  but we had it to ourselves. It reminded us of northern Ontario .

We woke up to pouring rain and decided to wait it out a bit, when it changed to a drizzle we lifted anchor and headed to our 1st lock[84'] of this series.This went well but the lockmaster advised us to be cautious since a barge and tow was heading upstream and we were dealing with a fairy strong wind.The Tow captain had empty barges so they sat up higher and were catching the wind. He asked if we could turn around to a wider area on the river where there was a saw mill with an area to tie up and we would be safer.We were thankful for his advice . From here we had 2 more locks before we made it to Midway Marina. We were having mail couriered here so we planned to stay from Thurs. to Mon.We are near Fulton, Mississippi and loving it here. Very friendly people and good service. A lot of people live on their house boats or use them as their cottage.One of the first couples Bill met on their lovely houseboat are involved with a Trucking Ministry. their good friends that were visiting them are the Chaplains.We learned a lot about their calling and work and  they invited us over for a Bible study Sat. p.m. It was wonderful sharing with them .Our friends on the houseboat had loaned us their cadillac so we could go to church. We were able to worship in a Church in Futton. Monday a.m still waiting for mail and doing this blog. "til next time.

Dredger 'Melissa R' on the Tennessee river

Adriana 1 anchored at Pickwick State Park

entering the Tenn-Tom waterway a 25 mile cannal

Current marina at Fulton Ms

These are the photos we wanted to add to our last blog-- GTB  to New Johnsonville, Tn.

Adriana 1 at GTB

Our piper playing Amazing Grace for us at GTB

When flooding the Tennessee River this Grain storage only has the roof showingMile markers with light on the river

Evening view of Tennessee River from Pebble Isle Marina

Shawnie blogging at Pebble Isle Marina

Green Turtle Bay Marina to New Johnsonville,TN

Green Turtle Bay Marina and Resort was a great place to relax and enjoy the community of boaters and the interesting town of Grand Rivers.The resort and the town were decked up with 'mums' and pumpkins and the biggest gourds we'd ever seen nicely arranged on and around bales of straw. Very colourful.This town is a popular destination for boaters as well as tour buses. The biggest attractions being Patti's settlement- [restaurant, shops and history.] and the theater in the heart of the town. This place really hums in the summer with 2 beautiful lakes formed by a dam on the Tennessee River and  another on the Cumberland River.  The land between the 2 lakes is  parkland..We were on the dock that looked after transient boaters. Some were loopers like us ,some were on their way to Florida, others were 'River Rats'[they loved exploring the american rivers]. Everybody had a story. Twice we gathered on the gazebo for a happy hour to share our tales and glean advice from other's experiences. Our boat neighbour for the week was Kevin on the 'Irish Rover'. He hailed from Minnesota .Bill and he shared a lot of stories.Sat. eve at sunset Kevin surprised us with his music on the bagpipes. He finished with 'Amazing Grace'.Thank you ,Kevin.
 We walked to town on Sunday and took in a sermon on forgiveness in a local church. Friends in our marina were loaned  a car . They invited us to go with them to Paducah, [a city we had gone by on the Ohio River the week before.] to do some shopping. This was about half an hour drive.-by boat it was about 3 days plus a lot of scenery. We were fascinated by the murals on the sea wall that told the history of the area.After eating  out at a great eatery we headed back to our boats.They were fellow Christians . It was special sharing with them. Thanks Dave and Peg Miller. We enjoyed sunny warm weather the whole week. at GTB.
 Thursday we headed down Kentucky lake[Tennessee River]. It rained off and on and was cooler.It was a quiet trip to a lovely anchorage in a little bay called Fort Heinan cove. We shared it with a few little fishing boats that came in and out of this bay. No other pleasure crafts joined us.The next morning we  travelled  on to Pebble Isle marina near New Johnsonville.The autumn colours and the rolling hills were ever changing with the clouds and sun. I guess we are moving south with the changing season. Yesterday we walked through Old Johnsonville  national park. One of the civil war battles was fought there. And the 'Old' town was moved when the Kentucky lake was formed in the 1940's
 The river is low so a few boats that came here today needed   Boat US to help them through the mud, so they could come into this marina.
looking forward to Sunday.We'll upload photos soon. reception has been up and down all day. We thought we had loaded pictures but failed..'til later.

to 'Green Turtle Bay Marina' On the Cumberland River

After a wonderful time at home for thanksgiving and family time we are back on the mid American Rivers. We arrived back at our boat midday on Thursday, Oct. 13th.giving us the afternoon to prepare for our next day and week..The next day it was sun in your eyes and again finding our sea legs, just a bit of adjusting. After about 15 minutes we settled into the demands of watching for buoys and directions on our chart plotter as we motored along from the Illinois river into the mighty Mississippi. The cities of Alton on the Illinois side and the St. Loius on the Missouri side had many bridges and barges stationary along the 'wall'. The banks along the Illinois side as far as St Louis were beautiful limestone cliffs with trees arrayed in fall colours.After St Louis the Missouri side was more picturesque . We had 2 locks to go through that day and 10 miles of a canal before we arrived at 'Hoppies Marine Services', 76 miles from Grafton our previous marina.Because the current carried us at about 4 knotical miles per hour we moved along at an average of 11 'knots'[A knot is 1.15 regular miles.] This trip took us about 7 hours.We were thankful to be safe and sound at 'Hoppies' just before 3.We did meet up with some big 'tows' on the way, one had 35 barges.Fern and Hoppie made a great team.Over 50 years of experience.Fern does a seminar every eve, letting the current boaters like us know about anchorages and river conditions. We did have some excitement shortly after arriving there . A collection of barges had broken loose from the tow and were moving downstream towards our area. If they had floated to the opposite bank too early some of them  could have headed back  towards the marina. Hoppie headed out in his little boat with 2 logs secured to the bow . He was able to give them just enough of a push in one corner to make sure they were diverted the right way.Everything turned out okay with only a minimal damage to the first barge. Fern had called the tow and coast guard right away and a section of the river had to be closed to boat traffic 'til all was under control. With Fern's info and a good night's rest we were back onto the River on a beautiful sunny day  to our first anchorage at mile 99 behind a wingdam[these divert the current]. It was a good anchorage and well away from the barges.There are no marinas along this stretch of the Upper Mississippi, so the next day off to little Diversion River.at mile 46. Again this anchorage worked for us, only we had to stay close to the mouth since the river was silting in. Another sunny warm day.We enjoyed one more sunny warm day before the weather changed. This time we anchored behind a wingdam again, at mile 7.7.We were almost at the mouth of the Ohio river.It starts at mile 981 mile ,0 would be at it's source. From here on the lower  Mississippi continues south of the mouth of the Ohio.

 Awakening to a cold rainy day we dressed in warm clothing and rain gear. Visibility was good and we had no trouble meeting with barges\tows.In less than an hour we were motoring up the Ohio River.Also a big river with lots of barge activity. Most were at loading docks. lots of coal and gravel on these .We took photos of a huge new lock under construction.It is taking 20 years to build.to be finished in 2013. It is to replace the 2 locks we will be going through.We anchored at mile 950 very close to shore and well away from the shipping line.Glad to warm up in our cozy cabin with the furnace going. wed. was cold and overcast.
 Wed. night we anchored behind an island at the start of the Cumberland River.
A pretty and winding river. we enjoyed the scenery, the quiet and the sunshine.
 We didn't meet up with any moving barges, only some loading at the big mining areas-gravel and lead.. After going 'up' in the biggest lock[Barkley Lock and Dam] so far on this adventure we came to Barkley lake, still on the Cumberland , to 'Green Turtle Bay Marina and Resort' at a little town called Grand Rivers. A love

 you may try to google the area .The Tenessee River[Kentucky Lake] and the Cumberland R. are both a lake for a stretch because of a dam on each river.We plan to explore this area for the next 5 days .We were without wifi for a while- thus a long blog.I also realized we haven't filled you in on our tour of St.Louis -Lewis and Clark Museum and the History museum,hope to blog a few photo's of that on another blog.

St Louis the big arch

Cliffs on the Missouri side of the Mississippi

 Tow looking for his missing barges

Hoppie helping divert the direction of barges

TheHoppie's marina Adriana 1 behind flag

Sunset at the mile 99 anchorage

River activity at Cairo at the mouth of Ohio river

New Lock and dam being built on the Ohio

Gravel and lead mine on the Cumberland River

Entering Barkley Lock on the Cumberland going up 57 ft

Green Turtle Bay Marina at Grand Rivers Kentucky

Real paddle wheeler

Grafton -St Louis-- and home

From Peoria we had 2 more Locks, met lots of Tow Barges and enjoyed two anchorages[one in between 2 green markers in a wide part of the river and the other in behind Bar Island just south of Beardstown] ,a dockage and dinner at Illinois River dock and Mel's Restaurant.We had the company of 'Sea Q west' on this part of our journey. And our friends on 'Another Dawn' were our scouts . They were ahead of us and kept us posted  as to their stops and anchorages.What a help!!

At the Illinois River Dock

Grand vista over the Mississippi river at Grafton

Sunset as seen from Adriana 1 at Grafton

Finally on Thurs. Sept. 29th we did arrive at Grafton. This is a lovely new marina. It is also the marina we had planned to leave our boat while we made our trip home for Thanksgiving weekend.So after setling in and cleaning ship we rented a car for Friday afternoon . This made it possible for us to go to ST Louis on Sat., Church on Sunday and home on Monday.

Heritage harbour Marina, Ottawa to Grafton

The journey continues.We arrived at the beautiful new Heritage Harbour Marina a bit after 6pm.we found everyone very friendly and helpful. The next day they gave us a courtesy car[also new] so we could go to Ottawa for provisions , look after laundry and see the town. Our friends on Sea Q west tried to come into this marina only to find out the entrance was too shallow for them- they draw 6 feet. We heard they had been advised to go to the town dock by the evening staff. Bill phoned them right away to say they would have problems there.They went on to a lovely anchorage just south of Ottawa.
 We got to enjoy this anchorage, Sheehan Island  on Friday eve.A lock  called Starved Rock Lock had been under repair for a few days and was going to open from 6-8 am on  Friday to let some boats through. Sea Q west was near this lock so they made it down on time but had to let us know the lockmaster was not holding it open any longer. Our B plan was to go to Sheehan Island .It was well worth it. Scenic - limestone cliffs and quiet. A nice day to relax and do some reading.

 Saturday we were able to get thru. the lock- no problem.A power boat joined us in the lock.It followed us most of the way to Peoria. We were excited to go there since we knew Sea Q West and Another Dawn were also going to be there.When we arrived there the Pinta and the Nina were also at the Peoria town dock now  displaying full rigging. They were set up for the public to tour.

our boat along the wall

The water front was a busy place but only those touring the Columbus ships and boaters using the slips could come onto the docks.Many people talked to us from the wall. It was a bustling place because of the beautiful weather and the restaurant and other festivities including an art show, homecomings and the ship tour.Saturday evening we figured out we could worship at Grace Presbyterian Church[PCA] in Peoria on Sunday if we could only get an address.We could not find a phone booth so Sunday a,m we headed up the street in to downtown Peoria in search of a hotel with the hope of finding a taxi cab there . We were thankful the taxi driver was there and he also knew where the church was so he thought. When we arrived at the location it now was being used by the Baptist congregation and was already in worship so on his phone he found the new location. This congregation had built a new building on the outskirt of town very recently.After hearing a sermon on Psalm 46 and esp .on verse10 and lots of singing we  were stopped by the Allens who took us under their wing . First it was alovely lunch at church then out to their home before they took us back to our boat.We shared fellowship and encouragement with and from them.

Grace Presbyterian Church

The Allens on Adriana 1

On the Illinois river-Chicago to Grafton

We are enjoying a sunny day in Grafton and are able to tell you some highlights from our trip down the Illinois River. The river -herons ,egrets, white pelicans and also bald eagles. Besides birds we dealt with many barges with tows pushing up to 12 barges at a time and  8 locks and many bridges.

 Back to our Sunday the 18th in Chicago. We found an OPC church gattering downtown Chicago and were thankful to worship with fellow believers, a very cosmopolitan group. It was a church plant in it's 2nd stage, the stage between starting and institution. Elissa and Ryan brought us back to the boat and said their farewells after sharing lunch with us.The architectural tour , Shedd's aquarium and  popular Navy Pier were our highlights in beautiful Chicago.

 Early Monday a.m. we left our marina to go to our first lock[ a small one] at the top of the river, from here we made our way through the heart of the city. We had a short wait for a railroad bridge to go up so we tied up , just moved on time to let the boat taxi  pull into  it's parking spot. oops!

Our 2nd lock ,'Lockport' was a 39 foot drop . The lock master was very friendly and helpful. We were glad we vere the only boat locking through since this was our first real lock. we tied up to a 'bollard 'a round pole that goes own with the boat.

tree lined Illinois River

The sign for the fish barrier.

leaving the lock

a photo of bridge and bardge/tow.

 Shortly before this lock we went  through' electric fish barrier' . this is to stop the asian carp from making their way into the great lakes. -thank you US coast guard..

We made our way on to the first community called Jolliet and were able to tie up to the town dock. After taking a walk downtown Jolliet we returned to our dock and discovered 2 black  wooden ships  the Nina and the Pinta with their masts down too. These are 2 reproductions of C. Columbus' boats used in the movie 1492 and now they go to towns along the rivers and  offer tours with a fee.

The next morning the Nina and Pinta left in a fog , we waited until 9:30 , and left in clear sunshiny day.We had 3 locks on our trip to Ottawa ,Illinois.Locked through the last 2 locks with the '2' ships.Now Ottawa also offered free towndockage and according to our charts and the local boatersas we were approaching the depth should be okay but a big but. we were to discover the river had gone down about 2 feet since the area had had a very dry summer. we nicely were stopped be silted in mud..A friendly boater made a call. Soon a police officer arrived  and helped by calling the rescue squad to help pull us out. They thought we could still dock at the docks but ended up pulling us out a 2nd time. After that they said we will call  a marina near here and see if they could take us. Tomorrow I will tell about the friendly people at Heritage marina and Ottawa.Here are some pictures of our rescue.