With extra RPMs and push from the current, we made Grafton at 4:36 pm...we sure thought it’d be later later later...our friends Cindy and Larry Kreissler aboard BUCKET LIST keep their boat here and were waving from the dock as we rounded the bend. The nice folks here put us in a slip close to them....but really, it was all about getting the dog to shore. He literally drug me up the walkway and ramp to grass....I can’t say that I blamed him. That was a long long time to wait!

Floyd and I wasted no time tying up the boat and getting those ACs a humming....then off to the bar to catch up with what was happening with BUCKET LIST..

We’re taking a down day today...Dakota can go to shore anytime he wants for the next three days....then two more long days for him and us til Paducah....with 2 locks and a night at anchor.

We are ever so glad for these cooler than normal temps...but really, they’re not that cool...we plan to be in Paducah on Saturday and Green Turtle Bay on Sunday.....stay tuned to see how that plays out! It’ll be interesting I’m sure! Once we pass St Louis there is no limit on barges...you can push as many as you think you can handle. Scary what they think they can handle and how that doesn’t always work so well! It’ll be interesting, for sure, for sure!!

Going 120 miles is a first for us....we’ve always anchored out somewhere along the way...first time with Becky B aboard, our generator wouldn’t work and we thought we’d melt. Second time we went down and then back up...both times anchoring around LaGrange lock to dingy Dakota to shore. And while we considered that, we were sure glad we hadn’t planned on it...Lagrange was open and lots of construction barges working the lock...we couldn’t have stayed there if we had wanted.

Entertainment today came from our friends on MAD HOUSE....passing us with their wimpy air horn signal...then stopping to swim...so we passed them...then passing us again... Floyd’s new horns are quite the hit with them...

And then there was the low bridge...we know better...always call to check clearance heights...never trust the books and charts...but signs of normal water and the previous low bridge call assured us it was higher than listed....we thought a 20’ clearance would be no problem! I even chose to video this passage thinking it’d be good Facebook footage...will we make this or not?? Well, the answer is not! Coulda been so much worse...we clear 16’2”....we think that bridge was 16. Clipped off the light fixture of our anchor light pole...2”...made a whole lot of noise...and scared the bejebous outta me. I hit the deck with a scream....Mr calm cool and collected just kept driving....inspection happened once I settled down...and now we have something that needs fixing!!

It was a long day for sweet Dakota....no potty breaks til we get there...but he seemed quite comfortable under my feet...in the shade...with that breeze....what is it about kids and dogs riding under the boat driver’s feet?? It was always where Dennis and Kelli rode too!

Just when we thought we were the only folks enjoying this beautiful day of boating we began to encounter tows ...not unusual here to see them pushing double wide loads of 8 barges...but we saw several headed north into that lock through hell pushing triple wide 15s. Those guys are B I G!

Snuck away at 5:45....cool and light breeze...should be a delightful but long long long boating day. We’ve bumped up our rpm to gain a little speed and we’re getting a little push from current...but water seems back to normal...we see shore line and high water marks on things as we pass....oh, and a few sand bags hanging around...

Tall Timbers...Havana, Illinois ...small small marina in a small small town....not much there...but gas and Dollar General. Oh, and this time the boat MAD HOUSE III... we locked through Starved Rock with them at O’dark thirty...since they travel at 30 mph, we were left in their wake. Didn’t think we’d encounter them again. But it seems some issues with new boat to them maintenance kept them here an extra day. They were fun to chat with...and we’re both heading south tomorrow. We’re trying to make Grafton in one day...120 miles and one lock....which we think is wickets down/ pass over!
We plan to leave at 6AM... hope we don’t wake them up! But we will....these big engines aren’t exactly quiet!

It’s a long story....probably different captains every time..but started in 2008! WAYNE P LAGRANGE followed us on the Mississippi...we were going about the same speed and no one passed any one that day. Just chatted a bit.

In 2011 as we finished our loop and started again...headed on to the Tennessee River...who should we encounter but ...you guessed it WAYNE P... we chatted bunches that day...and as we anchored that night, he wished us well as he went by...assured us we were in a good spot...he had work to do. The next morning as we pulled anchor...guess who came around the bend to say, “ good morning, bout time you lazy bones got up!”....yep WAYNE P....

And in 2016 when we came down to finish our second loop...who was on the river with us...yep, Wayne P!

Imagine my excitement today...when you know who passed us headed north...he didn’t seem to thrilled when I told him we considered him our lucky charm...

Peoria lock and dam...wickets down....no waiting! See me doing the happy dance!

Just out of IVY and encountered the Spirit of Peoria...not every day you pass a paddle boat...she was awful pretty...and full of friendly waving tourists...

And the rain came....so we decided to have special breakfast before heading down stream to Tall Timbers....Havana, Illinois....small character place...small town. Wind coming at us at 8 MPH...no chips with lunch today...they’d have blown away.

Had several great encounters on the water today...photos follow!


We arrived to find the smaller of boats who had locked thru Starved Rock with us....they are headed to St. Louis too. Swapped stories about that whole locking through in the dark business. Walked up the hill to the Dollar General hoping to find a few things on our grocery list. Struck out! Well, except for Diet Coke...gotta keep the captain happy!

Tomorrow is gonna be a long long day....120 miles to Grafton...we plan to leave at 6AM...

Getting up at 4 AM seemed easy compared to the 330 alarm of yesterday....Dakota was not very happy about being dragged to shore in the dark but today’s journey is a little over 5 hours...so he’s gotta go.

Those two locks were a huge pain...but they were efficient...they said be there at 5...we were and they did! So glad to be finished with that.

Two other boats joined us for a 5 AM lock through....and a quiet journey to Peoria...Ivy Valley Yacht Club....arrived about noon to a yacht club event known as foxhole...$5 all you can eat....today was ribs and wings...beer and wine...and all the fixings. One of the boats who locked through with us this morning is here...loopers from Rhode Island....we plan to leave tomorrow...they plan to stay a day.

Today was the hottest we’ve seen at 91....rain tonight and in the morning is suppose to keep things cooler the rest of the week...I checked with the Peoria lock and the wickets are open...we can drive right over the dam...no locking...no waiting...we plan to be in GTB ASAP....our plan does not include any lollygagging...

So now there are four new house batteries....their $$$cost estimate was more than a little off...well , when you’re quoting two batteries to a guy who needs four the amount is not accurate. We did get to chat with that egghead! He just doesn’t get it....and my question is why were we even dealing with him...he knows little and did none of the work.

Spent the day reading and exercising the dog...and talking to the lockmaster. The Marseilles lock is currently under a maintenance  plan that has them completely closed from 6 AM  TIL 6 PM....the tows go through all night. Pleasure boats are low priority. We had heard that if you called in, they would guarantee passage at 530AM. Not necessarily. One boater here went on Thursday morning and didn’t get thru...however, they had him return at 530 pm that day for passage. We could have gone with him, except egghead didn’t order four batteries...when I called yesterday they were not very encouraging about getting us through. “Please call at 3 AM”...”I got 35 tows and barges waiting...you might not make the cut “

No one slept well...we are 7 miles from the lock....dark boating is not what we do...and I haven’t seen 530 AM in years....let alone 3...... but you know what?? We managed! He said be there at 5....we were early...tows and barges everywhere...parked and waiting! We went right in...locked right down....the sun came up...we boated another couple of miles to Heritage Harbor Marina. Tied to their gas dock ...had a little breakfast and a nap while we waited for them to open at 9. Gas and pump out...headed to Starved Rock Marina...which is 2 tenths of a mile from the next lock that is operating under that same maintenance plan. It is a character place that has a bar and grill with ESPN ....and a cute boutique for women! I plan to boost the economy and watch the AfterShocks game.... then hit the sack early. Lockmaster says...not a problem...be here ready to roll at 5AM. WE GOT THIS,

Next stop is 65 miles down river at Peoria....it’s the IVY Yacht  club...and we understand wickets on the rest of the locks between us and Grafton are open...no waiting. But for now....lots of tows and barges snugged into the shore .....waiting waiting waiting! Someone should probably tell them that they’re going the wrong way!

So yesterday’s roller coaster...included lots of waiting (of course) and a ton of patience....you’d think we’d be better at all this than we are...things got just a little tense!

Switch install finally started at 1030.... not near enough to the 730 time they’d announced...and by then I did have access to the courtesy van....so as Adam folded himself into our closet, I went off to visit the local laundromat. What a trip! Evidently it has recently changed ownership and new owner is providing some up dates to flooring etc....so I’m doing laundry in a construction zone....very interesting as the main carpenter worked with an assistant who was obviously not skilled and easily distracted. I’m guessing special needs adult....he managed to stay courteous while I was there but you could tell he was on the verge of losing it several times. “Brian, why do I not hear the saw running?”

By the time I returned, Adam was finishing up the switch clean up...what a concept!...announced he’d grab lunch and be back to install batteries.

And he did...just one small issue....we need four house batteries. Seems Steve only ordered two...crap! He installed the starting and generator batteries in less than 90 minutes...and it seems they’ve located the other two batteries we need ...to be delivered first thing tomorrow morning.

In the meantime, we’ve missed the special invite from Marseilles lock master to lock through at 530 pm tonight....which would have saved us a travel day...crap! On that note, we revisited the local restaurant....what a mess! Too many customers, not enough worker bees....(really, who send wait staff home at 4)...ran out of Jack....TV signal out, so no viewing of our Aftershocks game....certainly not the experience we had on the previous night....looking forward to tomorrow!

But hey, we think our electrical issues are solved...but there is no way to test it....and so....

On a plus note, the fella who is days in front of us heading south reported that he made it all the way from Kaskaskia lock to Paducah in one long day...push from current on the Mississippi gave him speed and saved fuel...just what we wanted to hear!

Oh, and Laurie made it to Wisconsin...last we talked she was on stand by for a 1015PM flight that would put her close to the path her family was using to drive....haven’t heard the story...but have seen FB postings of her enjoying family time there...it’s all good!

So...up early because those worker bees were gonna arrive at 730 AM....it’s now 9....and all we’ve seen is the service manager....saying yeah yeah yeah....

And I managed to double post all those photos and when I went to delete just the pics, I also deleted all the text....have spent the last hour retyping...

No courtesy car for me to go do laundry as planned ....this day is not starting well!!

Whew! All caught up... next two locks are closed for repairs from 6 AM- 6 PM daily....we saw 15 groups of tows and barges waiting before noon today to make passage tonight. Pleasure boats go through at 530 AM...soooo....we are making progress....working our way to Kentucky...hope to be in Grafton by the 30th. For now, we’re enjoying riding on river smooth water...cooler weather...oh, and locking through!! Keeps us on our toes!!

Up and at ‘em early this morning...we were underway by 630AM ....impeccable timing...through two locks and arrived at Spring Brook Marina...Seneca, Illinois around noon. Restaurant on site...and people here seem on top of things. Batteries and switch install are gonna happen. There is a courtesy car ...so serious groceries and a trip to the laundromat...it’s all good on the skanky river. We are needing to replace things we threw out when we thought the new refrigerator wasn’t working. Who knew to turn it off and then back on again to restart?? Well, we do now!!

Narrow channel...

The Chicago river to the Illinois is what I like to call....skanky. Narrow channel...barges and tow traffic....and odors ....but we made it just fine....certainly not the rocky rolly stuff of Lake Michigan...and as you can see, Dakota was stressed out!!

Tuesday morning we zipped over to self service pump out...through the Chicago lock and downtown ...making our way to the free docks at Joliet Illinois...where for the first time in a week we don’t have to run the generator...we are plugged in just fine.  Waited an hour and a half to get through the Lockport Lock but that sure beat the 50+ hours we waited the last time we passed this way....and lucky for us we are 12” shorter and could sneak under those lower bridges...it was all good!

Monday...and the wind is still howling....waves on the lake predicted to be 7-8...which means they are probably 9-10....we’re not going anywhere.

Calls to the marine service folks go unanswered....and now we’re wondering what to do. One of the guys on the dock last night had suggested a marina along the river...so called them. What a deal! They are eager to please and friendly....and not out of the way in South Chicago. So planning begins anew....calls made...the roller coaster gains speed!

Winds blew and blew and blew some more....temps dropped to 60-70....rain and clouds....but rain cleared around 11...and we wanted to attend the Cubs game. Ben had called to say he didn’t have what we needed but he’d contact a local marine services. Thought they could handle the whole situation including new battery install...which didn’t happen in Saugatuck!

So off we went to root for the Cubbies....poor Floyd....it’s a maze and a mass of people...and I’m buying merchandise at Wrigleyville and bartering with the scalpers....and leading the way. What a hoot!

The day was perfect....shower returned briefly to delay game start...but we had great seats...and cool cloud cover....the only spoiler was that the Cubs lost. We were all good with it. Cubs fans are use to losing.

We did find someone who ere sure is having a horrible terrible no-good very bad day....as we left a coat on the ground in front of us...and a ring of keys...car, House, electronic opener of some sort...yeah, they’re not happy...wherever they are...

I almost forgot to post my favorite Janet photo...she called it “Linda’s front door”. It’s the security entrance to our dock at Burnham Harbor....Pier P....yes, it’s a big place...between Soldier Field and the McCormick Convention Center...close but not too close...and on Saturday night, it was ppppaaaaaarrrtttyyyy central.... and those girls are not really boating folks...way too much Jewerly and high heels....??? I’m just guessing they provided the entertainment....

Saturday the weather came like gang busters....first was high heat...temp was 97 and heat index said 107...Floyd was patting me on the back as I had matinee tickets for HAMILTON...we ubered over...grabbed a bit of lunch and breezed into that lovely air conditioned theater...sold out crowd. What a great show! Historically on the mark ...fun characterizations...hip and happening music...it was a most delightful experience..

Stepped out to much cooler temps as the front was here...hailed a taxi to the grocery store...rains began as we entered. Low and behold, all over as we exited.

Short taxi home...put away our merger purchases and welcomed Ben Stien and wife Laura aboard. We had talked several times but never met. Ben is an electrical guru that another boating friend had put us in contact with when those pesky pedestals wouldn’t work. We thought they were coming to visit...but when Ben brought out the tools and asked for a screw driver, we knew something was up.

An hour later and we have made new friends plus he has demonstrated the problem...and even concocted a plan to solve it. What a treat! He plans to return in the morning.

In the meantime, Janet made it safely back to Wichita ...while Laurie is stranded at O’Hare airport. Looks like she won’t make any progress in hooking up with family in Wisconsin and airline personnel are treating her rudely and insist that if she wants to go to wichita, she’ll have to purchase a ticket. Not good.

Time to celebrate...two of my favorite people retired from USD 259 this year...Laurie Fischer and Janet Tilton. While Janet remains a little unsure of retirement plans, Laurie has taken a leadership position in Dubai. To celebrate, they planned a trip to Chicago. It truly is a miracle of timing that TUMBEWEED is here when they are. I truly thought it wouldn’t happen. Be it did...so we made the most of it.

Thursday evening we all got together at Weber Grill for dinner....delish food and fun time...though it was really hot in there. Chicago is experiencing a big heat wave...and those huge grills added to the discomfort. But the food was good...

Friday I met the gals on the water walk and then short taxi ride for a leisurely stroll around Navy Pier...and photos....then they returned to a small celebration aboard the TUMBLEWEED....grabbed a quick burger from the marina snack shop....and they are off. Janet flies back to Wichita and Laurie is trying to get to in-laws in Wisconsin...hugs abound as won’t see Laurie til probably Christmas...

The other plus is that we are now back to the Central Daylight time zone...no more keeping track of when not to call...or to call those I love!! 

July 17...quick decision made easy....weather was perfect to cross to Chicago....and looking real iffy the rest of the week. It was a call to Burnham Harbor to get clearance to arrive a day early...and off we went. The haze around Chicago did not afford us the great view...but glass smooth water and cool conditions made this the most delightful crossing ever. Yes, I cried a little. Coming to Chicago is an emotional thing for me...all those visits when dear brother Stan was here plus the realization that we were leaving my lovely Lake Michigan behind....poor captain Floyd....the tears flowed. On the plus side, my two girlfriends were already here and now I’d get to spend celebratory time with them! Yep, it’s a roller coaster. I also contacted Mary Ellen (Stan’s buddy) and a new boating friend Ben Stien about our visit. Looks to be a lively time...