Today was an early start and a long day—we got underway at 6:15 AM with Pelican and Morning Sun to catch an open window at the LaGrange Lock, eight miles away and the last lock on the Illinois River. We arrived an hour later and went straight in and straight down with no waiting. All three boats “floated” in the lock—meaning we drifted freely in the chamber without tying off to the lock wall via lines, pipes, cables or bollards. Upon exiting, the two larger boats sped up, with a plan to meet at the end of the day. We traveled 67 miles in 9 hours, passing a few tows, a few towns, a lot of beautiful river scenery and dozens of white pelicans and bald eagles. At 3:15 PM we tied up behind Pelican and Morning Sun at the Illinois Riverdock Restaurant in Hardin, IL, population 765. The restaurant allows overnight docking for customers on its no frills, no services floating dock and is a popular stop for Loopers before reaching the Mississippi River. After securing Dragonfly, we met our new friends for drinks and an early dinner at the restaurant, commonly called “Mel’s” after its retired owner, who rebuilt twice after a flood and a fire. The food was excellent, the portions huge and the locals friendly and excited for this weekend’s Calhoun County Fair. The restaurant staff were working on fair preparations in between customers and our teenaged server was a contestant in the next day’s Miss Calhoun County pageant.
Bonus Question: When was the last time humans were on the moon? (answer at end of post)
Photo Journal:
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| Sunrise on the Illinois River |
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| Floating the LaGrange Lock |
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| We had to pass close to this dredge |
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| The scenery is lush and green |
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| Lift bridges are a regular sight—we think they’re beautiful! |
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Wing dams are less beautiful—they are used to divert the
current into the main channel but are sometimes just
below the water and damage the unsuspecting boat. |
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Southbound Looper parade.
Dragonfly is the blue, unnamed
vessel at the top |
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| Kampsville, IL, car ferry crossing in front of us |
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| Dinner at Mel’s |
Bonus Question Answer: In December, 1972, Apollo 17 astronauts Eugene Herman and Harrison Schmitt were the last humans to walk on the moon.
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