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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, Mississippi, Ohio, Cumberland, Tennessee, Tombigbee and Alabama 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. It became rural with industrial areas, mostly sand and cement factories along the river. This week, we had several long day cruises and locks to pass. Our first stop is in Joliet, IL, they have a wall that can accommodate 5 to 6 boats. Then to Heritage marina, a nice and friendly marina with good amenities, then we anchored at Henry’s Island and ended the week arriving at Ivy Club marina at Peoria. For me, these long river cruises at around 8 to 10mph can be a mixture of pleasure relaxation watching the serene natural beauty of the river and sometimes boredom.
Below map is from Chicago to Peoria, IL
Here are some of the pictures of this week’s adventures.
Week 16
Peoria to Grafton with side trip to Lincoln Presidential Library in Springfield, Illinois
One of my key memories of Peoria stop is the visit to the CAT museum. Caterpillar is the global leader in heavy machinery. I was amazed to see massive excavators, backhoe loaders and bulldozers in the museum. It felt like big boy’s playground.
Next 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’s good to be reminded that people lost their lives trying to preserve the value of this great country.
One thing I tried to do 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 in their locks. For them, the locks are prioritized for commercial barges and pleasure crafts like us are 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 the Grafton marina. It’s a good size marina, great location, a famous stop for loopers because there are lots of fun touristy things to do in the town. 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.
Here are some of the pictures of this week’s adventures.
They painted the park with the map of the river where the Illinois River runs into Mississippi River in Grafton and Steve is standing on the you are here spot.
Week 17
Grafton to Paducah
We left Grafton then continue heading south on Mississippi River to Alton marina, just 20 miles away. It was a short trip. I liked 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 pick 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 to the Gateway Arch and who is going to take their boat pictures while passing the arch. About 10 boats left at 7am and the pictorials with the arch were 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. First night in Paducah, we watched a Starship concert. Then next day, went to this unbelievable National Quilt museum. Here we saw that most beautiful quilts I’ve ever saw in my life. Paducah has built a unique Flood Wall Murals that protects the city from flood with over 50 murals telling various stories of the historic Paducah area. Each is 14 feet high and various widths, so beautiful they look like portraits. Before heading back to the dock, we stopped at the Paducah Octoberfest, got beer of course and listen to the live band. We then talked to some people who attended the No Kings protest and wished I had joined the peaceful protest rather than partying at the Octoberfest.
Here are some photos from this week’s adventures.
Many loopers have dog(s) onboard as they navigate the Great Loop adventure.
Week 18
Side Trip to Nashville
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 starting 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, stayed at the Clarksville marina next, we get to Nashville City dock on Tuesday afternoon. The city dock is just on the other side of the river across the downtown party area, so every day we will cross the walking bridge and see the beauty of Nashville, both day and night. Another interesting thing is that TV show Nashville 9-1-1 is filming their show this week and their boat is next to our boat so we got to see them work and talk to the camera crews and makeup artists.
Four nights in Nashville gave us enough time to enjoy the country music capital of the world. We did so many fun things and had some delicious food. Well Nashville is a foodie town after all. We did a bus tour, see few museums and bars, formal dinner with magic card show and of course shopping. We spent our last night at the Grand Ole Opry Resort and saw Carry Underwood concert.
Here are some of the pictures of this week’s adventures.
Week 19
Nashville to Iuka Mississippi
We left Nashville with a smile on our face. We are so glad we did this side trip, we may have lost a week but it is welll worth it. The views heading back on the Cumberland RIver were much prettier than going in because the leaves are now peaking on their fall colors. We anchored one night then reach Clarksville marina again for another night. Since the distances between marinas are larger, we were almost anchoring in between marinas. Some of the views are amazing at anchorage, nothing is blocking the views, you see both sunset and sunrise and if you are lucky, you can see the colorful lights of the bridge.
We continued our journey back on the loop route and reached the 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 happy reunion. Right away we tour the resort with their rental golf cart. Checked out the Christmas decorations at Pattis, restaurant famous for their 2 inch pork chop and their 8 inch tall merengue pie. 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 the Tennessee River. We anchored for 3 nights and got to Safe Harbor Aqua Yacth Marina in Iuka, MS on Halloween day.
The children in the loop dressed up for Halloween, walked to each boat and hoping they get candies. The mom of the Looper Savella kids gave out jello shots. The Earl’s Bar is having a huge Halloween party and we are glad to see it.
Look at the people running across the bridge.
Week 20
In loving memory of my dear father in law, Howard Glen Adkins from Ona, WV
November 11, 1933 – November 1, 2025
Week 21
We drove back from West Virginia on Sunday after Steve’s dad funeral. It’s an 8 hour drive to Iuka, Mississippi. We stopped at the Tennessee River Museum in Savannah, Tennessee to get a little break from driving. We got back to the marina by 6pm and glad to be back in the looping world.
The next day we went to the Shiloh National Military park, where the Battle of Shiloh took place, the bloodiest battle in American history. There’s a lot of history in this park but unfortunately due to government shutdown, the park is closed and no tour guide around. We just did our own tour.
Inside the Safe Harbor marina is Earl’s bar/restaurant. Earl is the owner and is really friendly to us. He gives out free looper shirt if you spend over $100. We signed the looper’s wall and got a shirt. The next day, five looper wives got together on the marina courtesy van and did a little shopping at Walmart. 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 few more loopers. Lil’G invited us for a steak dinner in their boat. The next morning we continued heading south with Lil’G in front of us, we are now cruising the Tombigbee River. Lots of barges, locks, narrow river and shallow waters. They say when you do the loop, it is not “if” but “when” you hit the ground and it sure did happened to us. We just got out of Fulton Lock and we were driving quite fast to reach the next lock. At around 11am Steve drifted off the channel and next minute, Over Yonder run aground. We called US Tow Boat for help but they told us they don’t have anybody in the area so we’re on our own. We’re so lucky to have the support of other loopers. Thanks to Lil’G for turning around and was able to rescue us out of the mud by 12:30.
We didn’t go far after the incident and decided to anchor alone that night. The other boats traveling with us continued on. About 500ft away from us is another Looper boat, Terrapin. The next morning, I got a text from Terrapin that they are stuck on the ground. Steve tried to help them get out of mud but failed. The rescue team came and got them out. Oh what an eventful 24 hours. Continuing on the Tombigbee River, we got to Columbus marina where Steve’s cousin Bryan from Alabama came and visited us. They are about the same age and grew up playing during summer.
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 Kingfisher Bay Marina in Demopolis, Alabama.
While in Demopolis, 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 a cute restaurant in downtown called SVH Bistro with Clear Choice and Guppy.
Next morning, a group of boats departed Demopolis before sunrise to be at the lock by 6AM as requested 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.
Here are some of the pictures of this week’s adventures.
Week 23
What a wonderful feeling to wake up that morning knowing that there’s no more lock in our way to Mobile, Alabama. The cruise along Mobile Bay is interesting as the water is wider and there are now cargo ships besides barges. We got to Grand Mariner marina, a cool marina with live band playing great music starting in the afternoon.
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 Mobile and 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.
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