Chattanooga

Chattanooga turned out to be a great stop and adventure. We passed thru the Grand
Canyon of the Tenneesee River on our way there - very pretty with the leaves changing color. The locals tell us next week should be prime and many boaters will be out with cameras in tow. Many of the boats here are houseboats and can be 60 feet in length. We wonder how they maneuver the monsters, but somehow they manage to go where we go!

While in Chattanooga we visited the two Aquariums, IMAX theater, art district, road our bikes, visited the Chattanooga Choo-Choo and watched a rowing contest actually called sculling. Crawdad was parked near the finish line. The race is called a Head Race with college teams, private clubs and individuals competing. In fact we saw many people as OLD as we are competing!

We have had exceptionally good weather with the temperature in the 80's and sun shinning nearly every day. Continue to cross your fingers!

We spent 3 days in Chattanooga and are now back at Goose Pond Development in Scottsboro, Al. The State Parks in Alabama are very nice. They often have Marinas, Camping, cabins and a restaurant.

The next stop will be Ditto Marina near Huntsville Al. We stayed there on the way to Chattanooga and enjoyed the new bathrooms and docks. It is a City Marina and they received local and federal funds to update the marina.

Cuba Landing 9-29-10

Today we traveled from Paris Landing Tenn state park 49 miles upstream to Cuba Landing. We met Steve & Barb from GETAWAY a 34 foot Mainship. they live not far from here, pickwick Tenn. they are retired and spend their summers cruising on the river system. We got many great tips from them. we met a couple from Ind. who cruised here last Nov.2009 and stayed would be mighty cold living on your boat here in the winter. Tomorrow we are intending to get to Clifton Tenn. closer to our near term goal of Chattanooga.

September 12th through 14th

We started the day leaving Heritage Harbor very early. Planned a series of 3 long runs (avg. 80 miles) in order to get to Grafton, IL in three travel days. We reached the Starved rock Lock at sunrise and went through with 2 other pleasure boats, a tug and his barges. Our new friends, Darrel and Sue, gave us locking tips for handling the lines dropped from the top of the lock.

We reached Peoriaand after much searching found a spot on the city wall right below a rock concert. We had searched the marinas and found the water level too low for our draft (4.5 ft). We enjoyed pizza at Old chicago Pizza. Peoria is an impressive city with a very nice park along the waterfront. The boys enjoyed walking in the park.

Since the Peoria Lock is closed for repairs from 7Am to 5PM, we needed to be through the lock before 7AM or after 5PM. There was no place to dock after the Lock, so morning was the only option. We rose at 430Am and left at 515 with searchlight on. Jim lead the way with his radar on and the searchlights. We found the Lock with no problem and locked through quickly.

The day was a long one with the Lock and 77 miles to Beardstown. In Beardstown we tied up to a barge at the Logston Tug and barge Co and use the bathroom used by the tug Captains and crew (no shower again!). Beardstown is a very small and sad city. Much retail space with little commerce.

Tuesday was another early start and we cruised 88 miles to Grafton, IL. Though rain was predicted, it was a lovely, but long day.

We saw many barges on the Illinois River with less barges on the southern part of the River. We enjoyed cruising down the River just like Huck Finn and tom Sawyer, only we were enjoying tunes on the radio the entire trip!

Our friends from Fenton, the Kaspers, Julians and Fergusons would have loved it.Dr. Kasper, being the President of the Fenton Yacht Club, is always interested in cruising at this speed and enjoying the day.

We reached Grafton, IL late in the day and will stay here at least two days.

Joliet

We left Riverdale on the Calument river 7AM then to Cal Sag. section the onto the Chicago Sanitary &Ship Canal, now on the Ill. River. We passed by the asian Carp electric barrier, what a hoot nothing there but a red sign. We are staying tonight in Joliet on the wall many tugs with barges in tow passing 10 feet away. Tomorrow we splurge and stay at the plush Heritage Marina mile 242, the showers should be great.