9/24/16
We left Peoria early in the morning with a bit of night chill still in the air. We weren’t quite on “island time” yet and we felt a bit behind schedule, even though we didn’t have a schedule.
The morning was a bit foggy due to the low temperature, but not dangerously so. Just enough to add some ambiance (say with a French accent).
With Peoria’s wicket dam open, we could go right through without needing the lock. With the next lock 80+ miles away we were hoping for a big day. Off we went, moving with the Illinois river. It was a strange feeling taking Pearl Lee directly over a dam. After all, this is normally something we avoid at all costs!
Soon the sun broke through and began to heat up the day. Among the natural scenery we occasionally found the remnants of human intervention. We like pondering their history. How long were they in use? How long ago? How long before nature reclaims what is hers? Moving slowly along the rivers gives us plenty of time to think.
In some cases the river has moved, leaving loading facilities high and dry. Others may still be used occasionally as fishing shacks. We were putting in some miles, so we had to wonder as we continued to move south. This one has a “tin roof, rusted”, maybe it’s the B-52’s Love Shack.
As we traveled along we got a nice surprise. Monarch butterflies! Hundreds of them over the next few days. Back in Racine, Wisconsin, Kristi raised a couple Monarchs from eggs. They escaped the chrysalis and were released shortly before our departure. Now we found ourselves on their migratory route! Unfortunately, none were patient enough to pose for a good picture.
We continued to see more and bigger tows. These boats have thousands of horsepower and huge props. So we have to be careful passing them. They leave turbulence in the otherwise smooth water hundreds of yards behind them. It can make steering exciting, but once you learn to anticipate it’s twists and turns it’s not a problem.
After traveling almost 80 miles, it was time to look for a resting spot. We were running low on daylight and had another lock a few miles ahead. So just south of Beardstown we decided to duck behind Grape Island, but were having trouble finding deep enough water. Our new friends aboard Somewhere In Time radioed us with directions to their deep anchorage behind Bar Island, just a half mile down river. People helping people is what this is all about.
Previous: Peoria
Next: Hardin