Week 15
Leaving Chicago down to Illinois River
Steve and I are back to being just the two of us again. We are glad that family members came and joined us at Chicago but today we are ready to take on our new adventure – the “Inland River System”. Lots of loopers are anxious about this part of the loop because of the long and winding rivers, lots of commercial locks and the humungous barges that travel through the inland rivers. In the next few days/weeks, we are going to navigate along the Illinois, Ohio, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama, Cumberland and Tombigbee Rivers.
The morning we left Navy Pier, we headed south on the Chicago River and did our own architectural tour similar to what we did last week. It’s a surreal experience cruising downtown Chicago River with our own boat, enjoying the vibrant iconic skyline like the Willis Tower which we were on the 103rd floor 2 days ago. The river is already busy on a Tuesday morning until we got outside the city and turn to the Illinois River. Area became rural with mostly industrial with sand and cement factories along the river. This week, we had several long day cruises and stayed at Joliet wall, Heritage marina, anchored at Henry’s Island and ended the week arriving at Ivy Club marina at Peoria. For me, these long river cruises at <10mph can be a mixture of pleasure relaxation watching the serene natural beauty of the river and sometimes boredom.
Here are some of the pictures of this week’s adventures.
Week 16
Peoria to Grafton with side trip to Lincoln Presidential Library
Key memories of Peoria stop is the visit to the CAT museum. The Caterpillar is the global leader in heavy machinery. I was surprised to see these massive excavators, backhoe loaders and bulldozers in the museum.
Nest day, we rented a car from Enterprise and went to Abraham Lincoln presidential library in Springfield. It’s a great museum with lots of interesting historical information during his presidency. With what’s happening in the country right now, it felt good to remember the people who have lost their lives trying to make this country great.
One thing I tried doing this week is to ride bike by myself. I rode the bike to downtown Peoria, it’s about 5 miles north since the IVY marina is in South Peoria. I had so much fun and it felt great to be liberated.
After leaving Peoria marina, we continued to head south along Illinois River. Long days of waiting for lock masters to let us use their locks. For them, the locks are prioritized for commercial barges and pleasure crafts like us will be secondary. We anchored for 3 nights at different anchorage spots. Then by end of the week, we transitioned from Illinois to Mississippi River and made it to Grafton marina. It’s a good size marina, a famous stop for loopers because there are lots of fun touristy things to do in the town.
Here are some of the pictures of this week’s adventures.
Week 17
Our first full day in Grafton is loaded with activities. We met with other loopers and did the Sky Tour at Aerie’s Resort. We rode the ski tram to go to the resort on top of the hill. The view of the river and the countryside is spectacular. Acted like kids and rode the alpine coaster and finish the tour with wine at the winery. Then walk down to the lighthouse, did some shopping then a great dinner at Southern Coastal Cuisine.
The next day, Steve had some work done on the boat by two local mechanics. They were nice workers until they told us they only take cash. Well we don’t have $1600 in cash in the boat and it took some act to get that money on hand but we got it.
Here are some of the pictures of this week’s adventures.
We left Grafton then continue heading south on Mississippi River to the next marina 20 miles away, called Alton. It was a short trip and I like it. We got there early enough to get to the fall festival with live music.
The next morning, we rented a car from Enterprise, they are so nice to picked us up at the marina. We drove to St. Louis, Missouri to see the Gateway Arch. Then before heading back to Alton, we did a side trip to see Lewis and Clark Boathouse and museum, another important part of US history.
As there are over 25 boats in the marina, we had docktails with loopers discussing the journey passing by the Gateway Arch and who is going to take their boat pictures. Ten boats left at 7am and the pictorials with the arch was successful for all. Then we continued cruising south on Mississippi River, passed at least 3 locks a day, anchored for 3 consecutive nights and by end of week, we reached Paducah marina along the Ohio River. The marina has nothing but docks but the city offers a lot for us to do.
Here are some of the pictures of this week’s adventures.t
Week 18
We left Paducah with slightly strong wind on a Sunday morning but after few hours, the ride got smoother. We had planned a side trip to Nashville which is about 200 extra miles along the Cumberland River. However, the Nashville lock will be closed for one week next week so we have to be in and out of Nashville this week. For 3 days, we took long rides, anchored for a night, Clarksville marina next until we get to Nashville City dock on Tuesday afternoon. Four nights in Nashville gave us enough time to enjoy the country capital of the world. By end of the week we left Nashville and headed back to Clarksville marina.,
Here are som of the pictures of this week’s adventures.
Week 19
We left Clarksville marina and continued our journey back on the loop route. We anchored the first night then got to Green Turtle Bay Resort in Grand Rivers, KY. This is another looper’s favorite marina. There we met our looper close friends from Michigan days, Dragon the Line and Miskelculation. What a reunion. Right away we tour the resort with their rental golf cart. Checked out the christmas decoration at Pattis and early next day, just after sunrise, we went on a car ride to go to the elks and bison national wildlife sanctuary park. After the early morning field trip, we left the Green Turtle marina to head south on Tennessee. anchored for 3 nights ang got to Safe Harbor Aqua Yatch marina in Iuka, MS on Halloween day.
Here are some of the pictures of this week’s adventures.ve
Week 20
In loving memory of my dear father in law, Howard Glen Adkins from Ona, WV .
Week 21
We droved back from WV to MS on Sunday after Steve’s dad funeral. We stopped at the Tennessee River Museum in Savannah, TN to get a little break from driving. The next day we went to the Shiloh National Military park, where the Battle of Shiloh took place, the bloodiest battle in American history.
Inside the Safe Harbor marina is Earl’s bar/restaurant. Earl is the owner and is really friendly to us. They have a wall of boatcards for every looper who stopped at his restaurant. He gave out a Looper T-shirt if you spend over 100 bucks.
The next day, five women loopers got into the courtesy van and shopped at Walmart and the liquor store. We had so much fun, giggling like younger girls.
We left Safe Harbor the next day and anchored above John Rankin Lock with Lil’G and they invited us for a steak dinner in their boat. The next morning we continued heading south with Lil’G in front of us. Unfortunately we drifted off the channel and Over Yonder run aground. Thanks to Lil’G for turning around and rescued us. We anchored that night by ourselves and ended up finding another boat Theraphin, grounded the next morning. Steve tried to help them get out of mud but failed. The rescue team came for them. Then by end of the week, we got to Columbus marina where Steve’s cousin Bryan from Alabama came and visited us.
Here are some of the pictures of this week’s adventures.
Week 22
This week started with a group of boats leaving Columbus and headed south along Tombigbee River. We all stopped at anchorage for a night as the next marina is quite far. The group stayed together in journey and reached Demopolis marina where we found more loopers. Loopers gathered in the dock to discuss the remaining section of the inland rivers.
The next day, another cousin of Steve, Eric from Mississippi, came with his teenage daughter, Abby. We had so much fun exploring the little town of Demopolis, found a restaurant that serves the best fried catfish and peach cobbler for lunch. Then for dinner, we went out to the Bistro with Clear Choice and Guppy.
Next morning, a group of boats departed Demopolis before sunrise to be at the lock by 6AM as ordered by the lock master. It’s so dark, it feels like boating at night. Boats separated at mid day and we stopped at Bobby’s Fish Camp for the night. This is a tiny marina with just a fuel dock and only holds 3 boats. The plan was to leave early next morning but the fog is extremely thick and delayed our start. Even with the delay, this day marked us finishing the last lock for the river system. We anchored for the night and the next morning, we are all smile heading to Mobile, AL.
The cruise along Mobile Bay is interesting as the water is wider and the ships and barges are bigger. We got to Grand Mariner marina, a cool marina with live band playing great music starting in the afternoon.
Here are some of the pictures of this week’s adventures.
Week 23
We rented a car for a week as we are heading to Mississippi to celebrate Thanksgiving with Steve’s cousins. With the car, we are able to explore the city attractions such as the Carnival Museum, the drive along the historical houses, USS Alabama and a beach day at Dauphin Island.
We left for Mississippi on Tuesday and stayed till Saturday. It’s nice to see Steve’s cousins who he grew up with, telling stories of their childhood mischiefs. We had a great Thanksgiving dinner with the family with lots of laughter.
Sadly, on Black Friday, our dog Messi who stayed in Rhode Island passed at 15 years old. We love you Messi, you have been a great dog and we will never forget you.
We got back to Grand Mariner on Sunday, returned the car, did laundry and ready to move on the next day.
Here are some of the pictures of this week’s adventures.
Week 24
The next morning we left Grand Mariner and crossed Mobile Bay to continue our eastern route to Florida. We first stopped at Safe Harbor Sportsman in Orange Beach, AL for 3 days. We took an Uber to explore the Wharf, get a haircut, watched movie and got dinner.
We made our way to Florida border in the middle of the week and anchored in Pensacola for a night. The next day we continued east and stayed at Two Georges marina in Shalimar, FL. It rained so much for few days that we did not do any activity outside the boat besides to eat out.
The rain continued for days. We cruised to the next city in the rain, the Panama’s Sun Harbor marina. The marina has indoor space for meetings so the looper got together to discuss the gulf crossing led by Captain Wes of Toscana. The weather is not favorable for crossing this week.
After the meeting, Dragon the Line invited us to have dinner in their boat as it is too wet to go out.
Here are some of the pictures of this week’s adventures.