We are finally off Lake Michigan and heading down the rivers. First is the Illinois River. Leaving Lake Michigan we entered a very industrial section of a canal connecting the lake to the river. Once on the Illinois River, it's pretty basic boating, just watching out for "tows" (barges being pushed by big tugs) that may be coming around a bend.
Our stops included the city docks at Joliet and Ottawa, IL, the Henry Harbor marina, the Peoria city docks, the Logsdon Tow Company barge in Beardstown and the dock at Mel's Riverfront Restaurant in Hardin, IL. From there we reached the Mississippi River.
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| Entering the canal between Lake Michigan and the Illinois River |
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| As mentioned, this section is very industrial in nature |
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| A "fixer-upper" along the bank |
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There are some scenic areas of the river as this city has
done with this water effuluent |
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In order to keep asian carp from entering Lake Michigan, the
Army Corp of Engineers has set up an electric fish barrier.
The water is electrified and any fish entering are zapped. |
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The locks on the rivers are sized to accommodate the tows.
Lot's of room for us recreational boaters |
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| I don't think the geese are afraid of this blind on the river |
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Getting ready to leave a lock with a tow
waiting to enter from the other side |
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| Tied to the city dock in Ottawa. No charge and free electricity! |
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| A "home made boat" at anchor on the river |
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Joe and Pat Apicella on their boat
GLORY DAYS in a lock |
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| Believe it or not, these are pelicans |
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GLORY DAYS tied to a dolphin waiting for entry
into a lock |
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These are some of the facilities at Henry Harbor Marina.
See how our shore power is about 6 feet up the pole and
our spring line is tied off to the tree root |
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| Bow line tied to a post |
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| Henry Harbor restaurant |
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| The fine dock area at Henry Harbor |
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| This is the other shore power connection available |
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| GLORY DAYS tied to a tree stump |
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Duck hunters getting ready by collecting foliage from the
river back to camouflage their blinds |
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| Bald eagle in a tree along the river |
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| Some ghost ships along the river |
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| Entering the Peoria city dock area |
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| Other "Loopers" at the Peoria city dock |
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Loopers getting together in Peoria. From left to right
Brian and Jean Orr from SPIRT of Whitby,
Ed and Cindy ten Haaf from Ka-Dee-Anna
Joe and Pat Apicella, and Teresa |
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| Early morning entry into the lock south of Peoria |
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| Meeting a dredge in the river |
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When you want a place to stay, sometimes you have to
take what is available such as the Logsdon Tug Service- which allows
you to tie up to one of their barges, no facilities, for only $1 per foot |
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| Tied to the grain barge at Logsdon |
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| The next morning we awoke to thick fog on the river |
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These are the metal stairs the Boyz had to climb up and down
to get off the boat and go ashore (foggy) |
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| Waiting for the fog to lift |
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The yellow box is actually a safety device when inside the lock.
If a crew member from a tow falls overboard, they throw the box
between the barge and the lock wall to keep the barge from crushing him |
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| The armada is underway from a lock |
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Some of the debris that floats down the river. You can only guess
how high the water level must get in the spring |
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| Houses along the river are built on a foundation of stilts |
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| A ferry crossing the river |
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| Everyone tied off at Mel's Riverfront Restaurant |
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Even after a long day on the river, there is always something to
work on. After all, it's a boat!! |
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| An old paddle wheeler used now as a river cruise ship |
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| Meeting the mighty Mississippi |
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A monument erected after the flooding river waters receded
prior to flooding the town |
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