Thursday, September 6 and Friday, September 7, 2012

Thursday, September 6 we departed Tall Timbers Marina in Havana, IL at 6:30 AM and traveled 100 miles in 12-1/2 hours to Hardin, IL.  It was a sweltering day on the water with much boat traffic.  We were tired when we arrived and tied up at Mel's Illinois River Dock Restaurant floating dock.  When Ralph went in to pay for dockage, Mel gave him a sample of their delicious beef brisket.  We had already eaten dinner en route, but went back to Mel's for delicious pie!  Everyone is so friendly and hospitable along our way.  We are so blessed.

La Grange Lock -- the final lock in the Illinois River

Much tug and barge traffic on the Illinois River

The tug captains are courteous and helpful

Can we clear this bridge?  We did!

Houses along the Illinois River built up on stilts -- note the low water level

Mel's Illinois River Dock Restaurant

We awoke this morning (Friday, September 7) in Hardin, IL to a frightful sight.  Say Good-Bye was covered with mayflies. They are fragile harmless bugs, but they are bugs. The Captain suggested since we had a short run today, to just let them go and he'd hose them off when we arrived at Port Charles Harbor  Marina in St. Charles, MO.  "N-O" was my response.  It took me about an hour but I dusted them off with the broom and used the wash down pump to hose the carnage down the scuppers.  

We arrived at the Port Charles Harbor Marina about 3-1/2 hours later.  We got fuel and I did 3 loads of laundry and Ralph washed the boat.  They have a courtesy car here and we scheduled it for tomorrow -- there is a farmers' market in St. Charles and we'd like to go there, then to the grocery store and to see some of the sights. 

We had a huge thunderstorm this afternoon and Striper was upset, poor little thing.  We gave her a shot of Rescue Remedy which helps somewhat, but what really helps is when the storm ends..

We were invited aboard Great Escape by Dave and Jan for happy hour and then dinner at the local Duck Yacht Club next door to the marina with 5 other couples.  We met some new Looper friends and had a great dinner and lots of laughs.  How thoughtful of them to include us.

White pelicans along the Illinois River

Mayflies covered Say Good-Bye this morning

On the other side of this island is the Mississippi River

Grafton, IL

The entrance to Port Charles Harbor can go from 6' to 40' -- quickly

Say Good-Bye gets a bath

The dark clouds are the portent of the coming thunderstorm