8/26 - 8/31/22 - Mississippi River

Friday, August 26 - Monday August 29 - Alton Marina (MM 203).  We know a good deal when we spot one.  We could not pass up another 2-for-1 deal, plus there was a party on Saturday, so we decided to extend our stay 2 more days - FOMO!!

We enjoyed our stay at Alton Marina and took advantage of all of its amenities.  We spent several afternoons cooling ourselves at the pool and imbibing some yummy cocktails from their walk-up deli/bar. Saturday morning's Farmer's Market did not disappoint, its great having some fresh produce and baked goods on the boat!  There's a nice, pretty flat bike/running path that runs along the river.  I enjoyed a couple of very hot runs!

Saturday night, Loopers were plentiful at Alton Marina's 26-year anniversary party.  The band was incredible, as well as the BBQ.

Crews of (L to R): (back) Surface Interval III, Port-A-Gee, Journey, Navigator, & Luvit

Sunday was grocery and laundry day. I went to the office to inquire about the location and logistics to the grocery store.  A fellow boater overheard and offered me his car - he didn't even know my name!  Also, this isn't the first time this has happened - Boaters helping boaters, love it!

We spread the word to our fellow Loopers and Marco & Karen (Navigator) were grateful to accompany us to Walmart for provisions.  Afterwards, I did a couple loads of laundry, sitting by the pool in between cycles - Did I mention Life Is Good??

We were intending to leave Alton first thing Monday morning, but due to stormy weather predictions, we decided to hold back and spend another day at the pool - Dang.

Leanne (Journey) put the word out to gather in town for dinner.  Journey, Navigator, Surface Interval III, Luvit and Port-a-Gee took the short walk to The Old Bakery Beer Company for a few cold ones and ordered off their interesting dinner menu.  The brewery's mural pays tribute to famous Alton-ians:  Miles Davis, Lincoln-Douglas Debates, and the world's tallest man, Robert Waldlow who holds the undisputed record of 8'11.

Tues., August 30 – Alton to Kaskaskia Lock (73NM). We untied the lines from Slip G24 and made our way to the Ray Price Lock – 2 miles downstream.  Canadian Loopers, Eamonn, Rhonda and Alfie aka Looper Dog, aboard Volition (42' Maxum) were already waiting.  The lock was ready to take us in about 30 min. One more Looper, Slo Poke and a houseboat arrived, and the 4 of us dropped 12 feet.  When the Lock Doors opened, a huge barge was waiting to come in.  Brian had to grip the wheel and steer us between the barge and a large bollard - in very turbulent water.  Journey was able to catch the next lockdown and cruised with us the rest of the day.

After 18 miles we arrived at the Chain of Rocks Lock 27 for a 12-foot descent.

Pro-Tip:  A friend gave us this handy Bollard Catcher, just a length of garden hose with a line strung through it.  I tie the eye on the mid-ship cleat, catch the bollard and then bring the other end to the cleat.  The hose gives the line a little weight to make it easier to land on the bollard.  I also have a boat hook to keep us off the wall.  

MM180 was the highlight of the Mississippi as we passed by the iconic St. Louis Arch!  There is an Earthcam, and I was able to catch Volition passing by - you can baaaaarely make them out if you

squint!

Volition Passing

Hoppies

At MM 159, we waved at Hoppies as we gladly kept going!  This is the only game in town for Loopers to stop for fuel and docking on the Mississippi.  Brian and I stayed there in 2017, so didn't feel the need to experience it again.

Kaskaskia Lock

    Journey, Volition and Port-a-Gee at Kaskaskia    lock (MM 118). It was nice to have free dockage in an anchorage     setting.  It made it very easy to walk over to Journey for a potluck     dinner and of course a few drinks!

Journey Arriving

Wed., August 31 - Kaskaskia Lock to Angelo Towhead (102 LONG-ASS NM).  We really wanted to get off of the Mississippi, so Volition, Journey and Port-A-Gee agreed to get an early start to make it all the way to the confluence of the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers.  It was a long, hot day, and there is absolutely nothing to see on the Mississippi all day, just muddy banks, large barges and commercial plants.  I guess industry replaced wildlife on this stretch of the Mississippi. However, we did see lots of “MS Gators” i.e., large trunks floating towards us! However, we did have quite a few Bald Eagle sightings.

MM 52 - Cape Girardeau:  

Screenshot of chart plotter showing the number of tows in about a 15-mile radius:

SOOO MANY TOWS! LOOK AT ALL THE ROCK THEY ARE HAULING

Our reward at the end of a long day, nice anchorage at Angelo Towhead (MM1.5) @ confluence of MS and OH Rivers.  Journey, Volition and Port-A-Gee's evening retreat.  We were grateful for the beef stew that we had going in the Crock all day!

Tomorrow, we begin heading UPSTREAM on the OHIO - Brian needs to flip his little Red/Green reminder the other way around. (Sitting in front of his coffee cup)

LEG STATS:

Miles: 175 (73, 102) Nautical Miles

Locks: (2) Ray Price, Chain of Rocks

Marinas: (1) Alton Marina (2 nights)

Anchorages: (2) Kaskaskia Lock, Angelo Towhead