The Sterling Lady
on America's Great Loop
For the second time
9/03/09  Upper and Lower Peoria lake is big, shallow, and luckily, well marked.
The Peoria Boat club had two slips for JuJuda and us. This is a great place to stop. Very freindly, nice people. Loaned us a car for shopping, cheap laudry machines, good docks, nice club house, and  only 75 cents a foot! We stayed 2 days.
Did a dinghy day trip across the lake to the Burger Barge, which reportedly has the best burgers on the lake and,,,
The lakes worst set of docks..But the burgers were worth it.
They had a springs on property, with an unusual occupant?? Gators in Illinois, I think NOT!~
Downtown, 1 mile south of our marina, has docks that are in reality free, bars, and bands, and some strange sighns. Alcholic beverages are ok, and don't swim.. no problem.
9/5/09 
JaJuda and I got lucky with the Poria Lock, they locked us right through,and let us float in the middle for the 4 foot drop.
Peoria Lock is a wicker dam. This is a wicker that  they raise and lower to control the pool levels.
Someone got in the mud too deep! This truck was left on the bank. If the river should rise, this guy is in trouble.
Our berth is  evening is a Tall Timbers Marina, another really nice stopping spot.
The Adjacent town of Havana,has the world's narrowist city hall.
After a pleasant happy Hourz on a friends boat, I came home to
A dark boat,  because of a burnt plug.

It was a relativly easy fix,but ruined my buzz.
9/6/09
This morning, there are hundreds of white pellicans today,forming up to head south.
Commercial and pleasure boat traffic was very light, even though it's labor day weekend.
<-----any guess as to what this was???
This house may be to close to the water.
Won't be around for much longer .
Because of  our speed, and the lack of facilities, the only choise between Havana and Grafton is the commcial docks at Lungston Tug, in Beardstown Illinois.
You tie up to floating working barges, and they have some electric, and water, and charge you $1 a foot. Under these circumstances, it's good.
This is downtown Beardstown. Note no people, no cars,no open anything,lots of closed businesses.
This poor town is really hurting.
Did manage to make  a good time in Havana.
Found the Elks club,
free food and cheap drinks..

followed by...
The 88 Pub
was like stepping back in time.

Prices from the 70's and free food!

The served BBQ chicken that fell off the bone,  potatoes and cheese and
of all things
Snapping Turtle-------------------------------->
Never had it before, it was pretty good.
Real estate in Havana is  almost free.
9/8/09
Had about an hours wait at the La Grange lock, then they let us lock thru with this tug.
Some of the Illinois River sights.
The river gets wider towards the end.
Finally, after a long day, we arrived at the junction of the Illinois  and Missisippi rivers. Turned right, upstream on the Missisippi, and our speed went from 11 mph to 8. Lots of current.
Headed to Dardine Slough.

We will be staying a week or so at Polestar Marina, in St. Charles. I have family here, and friends. Actually spent my youth here on this river on my dads wood 30 ft. Chris Craft.
The transient docks are only $25 a day.
Went for a dinghy ride, showing the Admiral the river. Ran across two Blue Herons doing the mating ritual. Not sure, however, weather they were dancing for each other or this pole in water??
Went to a beach(yes , the Mississippi has them) and found more entries for the Boat name contest.
Keep in mind, I don't name them, I just photograph them.
And this name is for all those loopers who were TRAPED by the Carp.
9/13/09  So this is  where we have been and what we have been doing all week.  Had to get a prop recondition, so we decided to pull and do the bottom also.
Even out of the water a Dam Fine looking vessel!
Shiney rebuilt prop, new zinc on the bow thruster, and fresh bottom paint.  We did all the work, cept the prop job. Cost $1,500. Ain't boating fun!!
All spiffyed up and ready to launch.
My old friend Dodie, hosted a get together at his house in out honor! This is an early picture of the STL CREW. Unfortunatly, can't show you the pictures from later in the evening. But they are great!!
<----Dodie and Karen, our hosts.
My dock Neighbor.
This store was closed, but did arouse my curiosity.
<-----They have ultra clean showers, bath, and a free laundry.
9/14/09   It's a short days run down to Alton Marina, along the bluff of the Mighty Miss.
Ancient Indian Art work.
A house with a great view of the river and valley.
Arriving at Alton.
Alton is a very nice marina, well protected.
Alton is a small river town, like so many we have see,that is, sadly, hurting.
If you fall off the boat, more than 3 times in a season,

You get awarded this shirt

I suspect Alcohol may have been involved.
At the Alton Dam, there is a free museum,with the best barge docking simulator!
Our view at nite, the Alton Bridge.
9/15/09  There  were 8 looper boats that make the am lock thru at Alton Lock.
If you don't make this left turn into the Chain of Rocks canal, you will drive over a dam.
Mississippi locks are Huge, and very commercial.
The upstream lock walls actually drop down, and you drive in over  them.
Headin for Downtown ST. Louis. See the arch?
The Arch,,I have never really understood it, but there it is.
Hoppies is your only stop along the river.Last chance for fuel, and water for 250 miles.