Arrived at Kaskaskia lock and dam right on schedule...it is as beautiful and serene as we remembered...water is high...lockmaster gives us permission to tie up and even says it’d be okay to let Dakota run the wall ...and do his business as long as we pick up. It’s hot...though not as bad as it could/should be this time of year. High 80s when it could be in the 100s. For that, we are extremely thankful because there will be no air conditioning tonight. We are safely off the Mississippi....but this is not a marina. After several unsuccessful attempts to get our sweet boy to ....we relent and drop the dinghy to take him to shore. There’s a little camping area...not in use because of recent high water...so he runs and finds relief...we’re thinking that facing a long day tomorrow just got longer because now we’ll need to bring him ashore before heading out. Oh, joy! Sunset is delightful...and we’ve got leftovers... and one hellish day ahead! We got this!! In the home stretch...heading into the final turn!!

Cruising along...doing just fine...making great time...and we pass a sad sight...Hoppies Marina. Well, it was not much to look at when it was up and running in it’s prime...but what a piece of boating history. Back in 2008, this was our first stop...it was the last place to get fuel before reaching Green Turtle Bay...where we meant Carolyn and Susan...and boys on a raft! Second loop we found Larry and Cindy on the swing as we arrived ( scoring our docking skills)....oh, and that smarty pants retired Coast guard captain who dared to argue with Fern about what line to cast in first!

Winter ice, their age and health conditions, plus recent flooding has essentially put them out of business. You can dock there...wouldn’t want to try that without Fern barking orders with that cigarette hanging from her mouth. No services. Though you could hike a mile into town for a piece of that Mile High Pie at the Old House Restaurant....we had some last time courtesy of Larry and Cindy! Unforgettable!!

Fern Hoppie is a river legend...she held nightly conferences with boaters regarding river conditions and where not to anchor...place to be especially vigilant and suggested anchorages. Missing her info is the big reason we are planning that long long day from Kaskaskia to Paducah.  That and our sweet Dakota...no good spots to anchor and get dog ashore to do his business...

Sad sad photos...of what’s left at Hoppies Marina...

St. Louis was busy busy busy...Friday August 2... our 149th anniversary and we are in the home stretch...headed to spend the night on the wall at Kaskaskia lock..and Floyd was doing what he loves to do...driving a boat... weather was really so much better than we expected...and lock gods were very cooperative! Got right thru Mel Price and Chain of Rocks... was fun to see St Louis from the water side again... SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS not working yet...probably too early...and that leg statue is probably our favorite...and yes, lots of tows and barges...even found one for Dennis....

Saturday started with a call to Mel Price locks and dam...no need to leave the marina until we could lock through...and miracle of miracles...they said come on down!  It’s a big lock...and while our guide book said we were going down 23 feet...it wasn’t that far today...Mississippi is still high and running fast. And we’re in the thick of it...lot of turbulence...and getting a push of about 3 miles per hour. We expect to see more barge traffic today...once we pass Chains of Rocks lock leading into st Louis there are no more locks on the Mississippi....tow boats can push as many as they think they can handle!

Doesn’t take much...but here I am behind again!! We are in safe and sound though it wasn’t without trials and tribulations that’s for sure. The water spirits were good to us but the construction and weather spirits conspired against us every chance they got....but we persisted...and our Captain is the BEST!! Here’s the story and photos!!

Leisurely exit at 9 ish this morning...went exactly as planned...though no one was watching...just a couple of hours down the Mississippi to Alton...but just a little cool! Floyd donned his jacket and I grabbed a sweatshirt...Our Lady of the River...the cliffs and a tall tall bridge and we’re here... Floyd is off to explore a ship museum...Dakota and I are chillin...and trying to schedule haircuts for next week!

Big time gas...filled those four red cans....and we are ready for tomorrow’s run to Kaskaskia lock and dam...where we will tie to the lock wall for the night..two locks to traverse and about 83 miles to travel...our exit in the morning is dependent on the Mel Price lock...we’ll call around 6 to see what they can do. Then Chain of Rocks lock at St Louis and no more Mississippi locks.

Saturday we need to go 150 miles to Paducah...so down the Mississippi to Cairo and then up the Ohio about 50 miles. We understand they’ve closed the two locks on the Ohio and the new Olmstead lock is not open yet...so we think we’ll be just driving through.

Probably be without internet...so we’ll see you on the other side!!!

We all enjoyed the down day at Grafton...the town has not yet fired up from recent flooding...but did manage to buy beer ( we don’t usually drink it...but sure is nice to have one after docking on a hot long day...thought it might be handy) and some fruit to enjoy with pastries for the next couple of mornings. Picked up those red gas cans...but no fuel at Grafton Marina. Another after affect of the recent flooding.

 Floyd and Larry spent quantity and quality time together...they are high school buddies...

Dakota took several walks. Though he doesn’t seem to care much for their grassy areas...it is damp and full of weeds but I’m guessing something to do with flood waters??

I did some shopping at Grafton Marina..the place that hooked me with chocolate wine..and took a nice nap...

Dinner out with Larry and Cindy...why did we not get any photos?? I’m slipping!

We said our good byes...though we sure hope they come visit in GTB...it’s not that far!