Day 139-140 2nd year. October 9-10 On to LaGrange Lock. Mile. 77. Total miles. 4307. Then on to Grafton, IL
Left on another chilly morning to head down the river, traveling 10 miles to Peoria Lock.
Leaving at 6:50, we went under the railroad bridge and got to the lock 90 minutes later and found a double barge half way through the lock.
So we waited one hour for the tow to finish going through the lock and get reattached so it could leave the lock. Then it was our turn. We did the raft the fifteen boats and descend 9 feet in the lock which has become routine for us and then headed back down river.
The sun came out and Bill decided to share our beautiful blue sky and clouds via several pictures.
After passing some industrial areas where barges are loaded, we began to cruise through forested shores. This part of the Illinois River has many curves and fewer bridges as we are traveling through more rural areas in this section with only the occasional small town.
At Mile Marker 138, we came upon a row of stilt homes along the shore. Also in this section of the river the shore line has many rock levees separating the river from the large lakes beyond and helping control the river if it floods.
Next we traveled past the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, watching two eagles, blue herons and hawks on this glorious day.
Our next landmark was Quiver Island and its "beach" on the mainland shore lined with stilt homes.
Then we passed the town of Havana, IL and it’s many grain silos and barges waiting to be loaded.
We had to slow down as 1 tug and 9 barges going south made the turn in the river. Takes awhile to turn barges that long and that heavy. Then another slightly smaller barge-only eight barges, met the oncoming barge as we were passing the big barge. We all managed to fit, but there was quite a bit of prop wash to contend with as we passed.
Next we passed the Logsden Tug Company which is really a few barges rafted together and if their tugs aren’t using the space boaters can tie up there for the night. No services-electric or water, and to leave the barges you have to walk up a rather steep metal grate gang plank.
We passed by as the barge area was filled with boats rafted up two deep and continued on to the next lock another 8 miles. Since we would need to anchor, we figured we’d go on to the lock and anchor there. Was pleasantly surprised to have the lock master have the lock open and ready for us when we got there.
So the eight of us tied up to the lock wall and went down another 9 feet and then turned into the pool before the dam and anchored. This is the last lock on the Illinois River and we descended 246 Feet from Chicago to the level of the Mississippi River.
We rafted up with No Agenda, Jody and Mike and shared our leftovers for dinner and talked about what we should see in St Louis.
We traveled 12 hours today and we deserve a good nights sleep.
Day 140 2nd year October 10 to Grafton IL. Mile 69 Total 4376
Left early in a patchy fog and 35 degrees to travel our last day on the Illinois River.
Needless to say we are bundled up yet again! At least we have no more locks!
The river is low so many of the anchorage that are on the way are not available as the water is too shallow.
We passed the small towns of Naples,Valley City, Florence, and Hardin. Most of the towns were off the river but each had grain elevators and/or fertilizer depots on the river. There must be a lot of grain in Central to South Illinois.
Some of the towns had homes right on the shore, but most we could not see as they were further inland
In between the towns was forested shore and we saw 5 eagles, lots of hawks and herons. Was even able to get a few pictures, but you have to look closely.
There was lots of barge traffic today. We passed ten tug and barges, most heading down river, two beached on the shoreline and one was a big dredge operation by the Core of Engineers who are responsible for maintaining all the river systems.
After all the barges, we traveled the next 20 miles with no barge traffic and enjoyed the forested shores, hills and limestone cliffs, the first color of fall in the trees and the spent cornfields and farmland.
The last section of the river became wider and deeper as we got closer to the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. This river section also had more islands behind which boaters could anchor.
The last few miles on the river we cruised through Two River National Wildlife Refuge which encompasses the Illinois River and all its lakes and tributaries west to the Mississippi River.
The Illinois River at its end has many bends and twists as it works its way south to Grafton, IL. This chart shows our route down the Illinois marked by the red line and the Mississippi River as it swings over to the Illinois river
Grafton, this boater friendly town, welcomed us as both Flotilla 1 and our Flotilla 2 descended on them, all 25 boats and their crews. We packed the restaurants and enjoyed catching up with Loopers we had not seen in awhile and of course partied with our Flotilla compatriots.
Grafton is known for its cute shops and wineries and it’s excellent restaurants and bars. We all did our best to see the what this town could offer. We tipped the waitresses well for putting up with us!
Thus ends another long day of traveling and enjoying other boaters and reconnecting with friends.