Life is Swell

Sunday, October 04, 2009

Invitation to view Linda's Picasa Web Album - Alton to Diversion Canal

You are invited to view Linda's photo album: Alton to Diversion Canal

Alton to Diversion Canal

Oct 3, 2009
by Linda

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Message from Linda:

We cant get through lock 52 because their wickets are up in order to back up enough water to operate their locking system. Hate it when the wickets are up, damn the wickets! Just kidding, I don't much care where we spend the night, it is always an adventure. We are in Metropolis so maybe Superman will come and help us! There is a State Park that is by the bridge, I could take my canoe to shore for a run........ Life is Swell on Veda L

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Invitation to view Linda's Picasa Web Album - Hoppies to Diversion Canal

You are invited to view Linda's photo album: Hoppies to Diversion Canal

Hoppies to Diversion Canal

Oct 3, 2009
by Linda

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Message from Linda:

We are in the Ohio and was looking forward to getting thru Lock/Dam 52 but they have their "wickets" up which holds back the water enough to use their locking system. So, a 12 hr delay is in store, closest town is Metropolis (yes they have a Superman statue by the river!) with a casino boat so maybe we can find a spot to tie off on it or nearby. Nothing worse than having your wicket up. Love...

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Friday, October 02, 2009

Fern Hopkins (Mrs. Hoppie!) they own Hoppies Marina, a great stop south of St. Louis. Barges tied together with electric/gas/water and good company. She knows her stuff, she is in her 70's, has to be the most knowledgeable woman on the river, if she tells you to tie your forward springline where she wants it you had better do it....and fast. A lovely but very tough lady!

The rascal raccoon, wants to go for a ride in Fern's golf cart! Veda L is safely secured on the dock for the night, strong winds and current will make it an interesting departure in the morning. But, Capt already had the plan and has gone through it with me tonight. Smooth like butter..

Just what are you doing on my cart? I got work to do, can't go joyriding around with a raccoon

This man in the middle started out at Itasca, MN in his Old Town canoe and was on his way south about another 10 miles to camp on an island. He plans on canoeing all the way to New Orleans. He gave me his card and told me to keep an eye on him to see if he makes it. His name is Neal Moore, his blog is www.flashriversafari.com God Bless You Neal!

Ah yes...somedays are like this...JUST TRY to do what the Capt "suggests" I have now pretty much morphed into Linda Turrentine and have left Linda Besk back in Stillwater! Linda Turrentine makes a much better 1st Mate. This is a sign we have in our galley..gentle reminder of rank.

A fleet of Marquette towboats just south of St. Louis. Very unusual to see this many without barges just sitting off shore.

Rocky Raccoon is still hanging out on the aft cap rail, he was watching the lines for me as we went through the Lock/Dam #27 Chain of Rocks, it was a bollard lock, which all will be from now on.

That is Lady Sheila, a light boat that locked through with us. This lock doesn't have the gates at the upstream side, but a "panel" that comes up to stop flow.

We were going to go to Blue Belle or whatever the pie place is called in Kimmswick, MO but knowing we may run out of time, they close at 3:00 I decided to make my own, of course with the choppy waves with white caps, high winds and towboat wakes in the busy commercial area around St. Louis, the pie juices spilled & burned in the oven, the smoke alarm went off.... but the pie was great! Best damn apple pie I ever made in fact. Combo of McIntosh and Granny Smiths, lime juice vs. lemon (use what ya got) .

Last night the winds really howled as we were in Alton Marina, but we got up early and was off the dock at first light, we called Mel Price Lock/Dam to ask when we could lock through, he said "How 'bout January 1st?" Well.......

I decided not to be lazy last night and took my tri-pod outside the marina to take a better picture, then it started raining, so it is not much different than the one from the moving boat on the moving dock, but it is as good as it gets for this trip! We left Alton, IL at 7:30am and asked the Mel Price Lock and Dam when they would want us to be down there to lock through, he replied JANUARY 1ST! Then said, we could make it in a half hour. 30mph gusts all night, Buddy was not a happy cat with the boat moving and noises outside, interesting day on the river today with the white caps and chop.