Yesterday we said goodbye to the Illinois River and hello to the mighty Mississippi! We are in Missouri now. We planned to continue our 218 mile journey down the Mississippi tomorrow, but you know what "they" say about plans... The Chain of Rocks Lock, one of two we need to go thru, sprung a leak a couple of days ago so it may be several days before we can continue south. We're moving tomorrow to Alton IL, only about 18 miles but much closer to the locks. In Alton we'll be poised to get going when the lock has been repaired (and commercial traffic has cleared).
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| Leaving the marina, downtown Peoria IL. |
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| Tree roots exposed in low water on the Illinois River |
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| Another abandoned lock in the Illinois River |
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| A common sight on the Illinois, barges tied to the river bank |
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| Sunset from our anchorage along the Illinois River above Big Blue Island |
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| As the light disappears, a tow passes our anchorage |
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Most of the cottages along the Illinois were elevated many feet above ground.
However, low water rather than flooding is the concern now. |
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A shipwreck along a rocky bank of the Illinois River
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| Our first view of the Mississippi River |
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Simple instructions to the Port Charles MO marina... Take the cut between Island
521 and Enterprise Island, head towards the big yellow boat, then head back
downstream and look for the second entrance on the right. |
