Today we traveled 13 hours and 105 miles from Peoria to near Joliet, Illinois. Reminded me of the Blues Brothers mantra, “We’re on a mission from God.”
Captain Danny Meadows ( who holds a 500 ton Coast Guard captain’s license) worked at Hatteras Yachts for many years and then operated his own marine electronics business before beginning his current career as a boat broker and delivery captain. I have appreciated his skills many times during our trip. This morning in the daily engine room check, Danny noticed that the main alternator cable had fallen off of the port (left) engine. Frayed at all the connector over the years, then finally broke. Probably a vintage 2003 cable. With a drill, hammer and a other implements of destruction, Danny repaired the cable and we were off less than an hour later
Each time we passed through locks on our Northbound trip today, the next area of the river was less flooded and we saw more wildlife including a bald eagle high in a tree, an otter swimming across the river, and (surprisingly) a large flock of white pelicans feeding on the Asian carp that infest this river and jump wildly when boats pass.
We passed a number tows and barges, and cautiously slowed down to idle speed many times to avoid “waking” barges, town docks and other boats.
When we returned to the Joliet marina from dinner, a tow boat with a typical load of 15 barges was passing near our slip, using a high-power spotlight to illuminate the river ahead. These push-boats and barges move 24 hours a day. It was quite a sight.
I look forward to meeting Rhonda and friends Mark and Mary at the Hammond Marina tomorrow afternoon, for the trip across Lake Michigan to Holland!
