Was a bit cool this morning in the low 50’s, so we bundled up and hot ready to leave with our flotilla at 7:30.
This section of the Calumet River starts out as industrial and marinas like yesterday, but then gradually morphed to residential as we pass the small towns outside the Chicago area. We again have lots and lots of bridges to go under. Luckily all of these bridges are tall enough for us all get under.
Along the way we passed spillways, barges and some smaller boats along with lots of herons.
After 20 miles, the Calumet River turns to port and joins the aces Plains to become the Illinois River.
The Illinois River is formed by the junction of the Des Plain, better known as the Chicago River, and the Kankakee/Calumet River. The Illinois River runs southwest through Illinois connecting the Chicago area to the Upper Mississippi River near Alton, IL. A series of seven locks and dams allow the waterway to be navigable. Three of these locks were closed for navigation since June 1 creating a backlog of barges and pleasure boats, partly why we sat for so long at the lock.
The start of the Illinois River is busy with barge traffic on the water and along the sea wall.
Next the water around us got electrified in an effort to keep invasive species in the river system from getting into Lake Michigan. The system is called the Electrical Fish Barrier.
The flotilla reached our next destination, the Lockport Lock and waited for 3.5 hours as north and south bound barge traffic was cleared through the lock so we could take our turn in the lock. We rafted up to each other so we could stay out of the way of the barges and tugs. Government and commercial traffic takes presidency over pleasure craft. Thus we wait. During our wait it started to rain lightly.
Lockport lock was the first lock built on the Illinois in 1900. It wasn’t til after 39 years and 6 locks later, that the entire Illinois River became navigable, providing a reliable 9 feet of depth all the way to the Mississippi River.
Locking through took some coordination with 16 boats to tie up to the lock wall and drop 40 feet. We all managed to find our way to the wall as directed by the lock master and hang on for the “ride” down.
And added plus. while we were in the lock several young deer entertained us be frolicking in the forest adjacent to the lock. Bet you didn't know that deer frolicked!
After everyone got connected and settled we enjoyed a pot luck dinner where each boat contributed to the Chicago hotdogs cooked on the grill by Jeff and Paula on MV Seas the USA.
Day 137 2nd year October 7. On to Brandon Roads threopugh Marseilles Locks and Heritage Harbor. Miles 40.5. Total Miles. 4165
We again have a 50 degree morning and are all bundled up at 6:30 am to head further down the Illinois River. Have to get under a times bridge and to the Dresden Lock by 7:30.
The bridge lifted for us and we got to the lock a few minutes early and waited for a barge to depart the lock so we could enter. The lock changed the plans and told us that only 12 of the 15 boats can lock through with the first lock. Luckily the lock was able to do a quick turn around and got the other three boats through.
The river has lots of depots to load barges along the shore-asphalt, gravel, chemical, and petroleum products.
Further along the river, we see more forested shore with swans, gulls, herons and cormorants keeping us company on the water.
We got to the second lock on time and waited for a tug to take their load down before we could go in. Waited about 90 minutes for our turn.
The river winds past the small towns of Morris, Seneca and Ottawa each with their waterfront parks, grain depots and plastics/plastics or phosphate or ammonia storage facilities. We cruised past several barges with their loads pushed up into shore waiting to be locked through.
The third lock, Marseilles, I think felt sorry for us having to wait so long, and squeezed us in ahead of some barges/tugs. We entered the channel for this last lock and pulled over to a small area to wait for the barge already in the lock to leave.
We all went in and rafted up to each other in the lock and then traveled down 25 feet. Continuing on for two more miles, we turned into Heritage Harbor that stayed open late to accomodate us. They were super human and handled 15 boats all arriving within a 30 minutes time period and safely got us all into our slips. Had a nice sunset to greet us at the marina.
After settling in, the marina staff gave an overview of what to expect on the rivers from Ottawa on down the Illinois, and down the Mississippi river and up to the Ohio River. Bill took lots of notes.
The flotilla all went out to dinner and helped one of our members celebrate her birthday. She was surprised by the birthday cake and a raucous Happy Birthday song.
We tired Loopers then went to bed!!!
Day 138. 2nd year. October 8. On to near Peoria IL. Mile 65. Total mile 4230
Left at 6:30am in 50 degrees to turn south and head the 11 miles to get Starved Rock Lock. It’s a cloudy day and we are bundled up yet again.
Along the way we passed the town of Ottawa and some impressive limestone cliffs and lots and lots of tugs and barges.
We got to Starved Rock Lock on time and they took us in right away. Yeah!!
While at the lock we rafted up as usual and had a view of a flock of over 50 white pelicans and another limestone cliff. Also saw the beginnings of Fall color.
The river widens after the lock giving us more room to negotiate around the tugs and barges.
Passing the town of Peru, we could see some of the old town storefronts and it’s depot for cement, sand and chemicals.
There is a lot of wild area along the river that allows us to see hawks, bald eagles, and herons between the small towns Yeah! The sun came out!
We also passed the towns of Spring Lake, Hennepin, Henry, and Lecon with their grain elevators and fertilizer storage facilities. Each of these towns has a lake just off the river like shown on the chart.
Was interesting to note that the bridges on the river have clearance under the span marked on its support right up to the road span to take in consideration when the river floods. You can have a 60 foot bridge have markings up to ten feet on its gauge. You can also see the water level marks on some the bridges from previous flooding.
We also passed the remains of an old lock on the river which was replaced years ago.
We watched a tug build his barge load by moving the barges into place and then cabling them together. Took quite a bit of time. Most barge loads on the Illinois River we see are either three long or 6 smaller barges cabled together. Some barge loads require two lock through and they have to uncouple half the barges and recouple them once both sets of barges are locked through. That takes a bit, thus there can be long waits at the locks.
The tug captains have been very friendly and helpful They talk to us on channel 13 on the radio and let us know how to pass them or ask us to stop or slow down as they work.
We are getting close to our destination today as we pass Chillicothe, with its homes right on the river and then we entered Upper Peoria Lake and the town of Rome, with its homes, many on stilts.
Was along day, but we made it. Will celebrate with joining Loopers to toast another successful day.
