04/01/2024 Southport to Norfolk, Virginia 04/22/2024

 11/6/2023

Left Alton in the early morning hours (6:30 AM). The lock master wanted us there by 7 AM to allow us thru, we still waited outside the The Chain of Rocks lock for about 45 minutes. 

I thought I might give a brief explanation about going thru the locks. When we arrive we wait for the lock master to give us permission to enter the locks. Once we get the OK we enter one by one and either go to the right wall or the left wall.  The locks either have a bollard that I toss a make shaft line around  or they have lines hanging form the side that you hang onto ( to keep you boat from floating into the center of lock and flailing around). The gates up front are closed prior our entry, once all the boats are in the back gates are closed and water is let out or in until we match the water level on the other of the river.

 Once thru The Chain of Rocks Lock we headed towards St Louis to get the infamous Looper picture in front of the Arch. We continued to our next destination Hoppies (which many say is a must see - not sure of the hype but the only amenity was fuel). No one really mentions the town of Kimmswick which is a mile walk and reminded me of Long Grove Village. Unfortunately for us it was Monday and all stores and restaurants were closed.

 

This was a log cabin that was moved to the town. It was a home where 10 kids were raised.

 The amount of flooding and history of this town and many other towns along the waterway is insurmountable. How much each town has suffered and that it could happen again and again without flood walls. A subtle reminder of Mother Natures cruelty.

Several more loopers arrived and continued to join our Flotilla.

Erica & Jeff along with their 2 kids a dog & cat on Cool Change

Cindy and Jim (who will be done with the Loop in Mobile, Alabama) on Vigilant. They are taking their boat out of the water at Green Turtle Bay to repair their thrusters.

 Jonathan (the bagpipe player from Scotland, Virginia) and Morgan on Wayward Wind

Monday evening the owners of Hoppies gave another informational speech of what to anticipate on our continued journey. Also, where to anchor for the night, how to contact the Tugboat Captains and what to expect in the upcoming locks.

11/7/2023

Stayed overnight on the wall of the Kaskasia Lock (Barges are the only ones allowed thru this lock) We were allowed to stay on the wall which had been banned after 911. 

 

11/8/2023

Departed the Kaskasia Lock and headed up toward Little Diversion Canal. A small inlet where 9 of us anchored out. It was very windy so we put out a bow and stern anchor. During the night the winds calmed and we woke to a very calm day. One of the barges we saw was carrying blades for the wind turbines. (Just to give you an idea of the size of these barges)

We did not stop here, but Cape Girardeau, Missouri has a mural painted on the wall welcoming boaters that pass by.

If anyone is looking to become a Tugboat Captain and needs a Tugboat I think I can get a deal on this one !!

We passed the Chester Menard Correction Facility which is located on the river (we did not see anyone trying to escape by water). John Gacy spent over three hundred hours with doctors at the Menard Correctional Center in Chester in the year before his trial. He underwent a variety of psychological tests to determine whether he was mentally competent to stand trial. Once he was sentenced, Gacy was transferred to the Menard Correctional Center, where he remained on death row for 14 years.

11/9/2023

Early morning depature (6:30 AM). We headed towards the Omstead Lock.This proved to be the most challenging lock. The water poured in with us rising up along the wall. Matt took the line towards the bow which allowed the stern to swing out (there was not a line attached to the stern) Fortunately it was a quick about 8 foot rise and it was a learning curve for future locks. We were going to anchor out again but decided to speed up and head towards Paducah. We arrived late into the evening. Tied up the boat and walked up to town, ate dinner at Stellas Bar and grill. It has taken us nearly two weeks to arrive in Paducah by boat. This is just a mere seven hour drive from our house in Palos (😂). Paducah is half way between Chicago and Mobile Bay - the start to the Gulf of Mexico). This was showing how the river loops around as seen on The Garmin.

Cruising down the river they were dredging the center of it because the water is so low

 

11/10/2023

Walked around the very friendly town. Matt , Nancy and I  (Dave had a phone meeting) went to the Quilt Museum. 

The quilts were stunning and unbelievable. As we walked in the door the first quilt was actually a wood carving. It looked like a quilt and not a piece of wood.

Above is the registration for block of the month club (anyone can join). Each person is given directions for 12 squares. Below are examples of how 3 people interpreted their 12 squares  and put them together and made their quilt design.

Since it was around Veterans Day they were having a ceremony honoring 26 Vets. These quilts have traveled around the country to different Quilt exhibits and were finally brought home to be donated to 26 Vets honoring their services.

 The museum also had some stained glass windows. 

This town also has a lot of history. They have built a flood wall around the city with periodic openings. On the inside of the walls are murals depicting the history of the town.

 These were only two of over 50 murals.

This locomotive made its last trip to Paducah in 1960. The Illinois railway finally donated it to the town in 1964.

 Visited the River Discovery Center - it explained the history of steamboats and flooding in the area

 Dave outside the center next to a buoy anchor and propeller

 This is the town theater for concerts (Travis Tritt was going to be there that night, tickets were being sold for $350.00). I thought the fall colors were just stunning outside !!

Matt stayed back at the boat. He had bought 6 new batteries which were delivered to the docks. Our current batteries were not holding a charge like they should have. The six batteries are: 1 for the engine, 1 for the thrusters and 4 for the house. He later met us in town at the Paducah Beer Werks.