October 16, 2009 Rockport, IL to Alton, IL

October 16, 2009

Two Rivers Marina (283.2) to Alton IL (202.9)

This morning we were up and ready to be towed out of the Two Rivers marina channel by 8:00. However, our tow didn’t show up until we had decided to leave at 8:45. We lightly bumped on the way out so the river level had come up 3-4 inches. As we came down river the RR swingbridge was open and waiting for us so we sailed straight through. As good as the day started we had a bit more trouble in the Lock & Dams # 24 and #25. We entered #24 immediately after a tow and encountered turbulence and no one was there to help us with lines. Mark drove me up to one line and I retrieved that with the gaff and then he held on to the railing with his gaff for dear life. Finally someone came out and set up a line for him. We really needed the lines in both locks as the wind was from the NE and pushed our stern out to a 45 degree angle even with Mark holding on. We had to ask for lines again in #25. I’m not sure if they expected us to float or they didn’t want to come out in the rain and cold. Anyway, we were sharing this lockage with a little open fishing boat with maybe a 4 hp motor carrying two guys and towing another covered fishing boat. They floated in the lockage and then crept out of the lock ahead of us. Mark promised me he wouldn’t run them over, but turbulence and wind make those promises sometimes a challenge to keep.

We traveled 80 miles today and I did most of the driving between the red and greens. I have been fascinated by the duck blinds we have seen along the way. One of these even has a boat garage. There are many car ferries as well. We need to pass with no wake when we passed them. It seems that there have been many wing dams built recently - of course uncharted. Curiously, as I drove, a little house elf got busy unpacking and sorting and putting away much of the food and many of the other things in the other boxes. I probably won’t be able to find anything, but it might be a good excuse not to do the cooking.

We got to Alton in pouring rain and got our first pumpout. That would be 12 days – we may not be as full of **** as we thought.

Alton has a hot tub – Ahhhh….. After enjoying that we decided to stay at least another day, and besides there is supposed to be sunshine tomorrow even though it will be cold.