Hello followers!!
Hope all is well with all of you. The above pictures are general Mississippi travel and scenes that are common all up and down the river. Most lock and dams, as shown in the picture, are designed in the same manner. So to take a shot of the 14 locks that we have successfully passed through would get a little redundant! But there is one exception at Keokuk Iowa at lock and dam #19. We dropped in water elevation 40 foot and the lock was 1,200 foot long! That was something to see and be a part of. We have though improved our locking skills by just floating in the center while the water reaches the needed elevation and they open the wall for safe passage through. Rope to hang on to?...we don't need no stinking rope!! (unless they make us hahaha.) A note to future loop travelers....the locks stagger their radio channel between 14 and 12 due to a lot of cross chatter between locks. That would have been good to know at lock #25 in Missouri who we hailed for ten minutes, blew our horn, and eventually ended up googling their phone number and calling them. "hello...knock knock.. this is the boat sitting outside your gate....can ya open the door?! Really??
Dad and I were commenting today how lucky we have been with the weather. Tomorrow is day #9 (Tuesday September 27th) and we have had, at worst case, partly cloudy skies. One morning we had to wait for the fog to lift for about a half an hour; but a cup of coffee and watching the eerie mist float on the glassy water as the sun broke through was a sight I will not soon forget.
We pulled into Two Rivers Marina on Sunday the 24th for fuel, fresh water, and grab a hot lunch at the restaurant there. I want to post a special thank you to that marina and mention the outstanding service and accommodations. Everything we needed was taken care of, the staff were overly helpful, and I could have use the pool if I wanted?! Fantastic!! Way to go Two Rivers Marina!
With the exception of Hannibal, we have been on the hook (dropped anchor) every night. We find a a little slough, inlet, or somewhere off the channel so we do not get run over by a barge. That would be bad. Barge traffic is 24-7 so you just never know. I really enjoy being on the hook. It is completely dark with the exception of the moon and those little pin holes in the curtain of night called stars and planets. It is ultimate peacefulness with just the sounds of fish jumping and an occasional coyote howl. I am so happy I chose to do this trip and with only 8 days behind us I already hope I am able someday to do the other half and complete the whole great loop.
Today we passed St. Louis and I got to gaze upon the Arch. Every time I see it it still amazes me thinking of those last few days of construction when the two parts met. Can you imagine..."Dang Johny...were off about 18 feet....now what?...thank people will notice?" We have now stopped at the famous Hoppies Marina and docked for the evening. It is actually just one large barge with another similar structure attached. There are about 14 boats here with us tonight that got fresh water and a fuel top off. Tomorrow we start the three day, 270 mile trek to Green Turtle Bay Ky. There are no marinas, no docks, and no Internet....and that is roughing it I guess. So that said, the next post will be three or four days from now depending on fuel calculations and speed. I will post immediately when the opportunity comes about and of course more pictures to follow. Talk to all of you very soon and have a wonderful week..God Bless
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