Before sunrise this morning, we communicated by VHF radio with the other seventeen loopers tied up on the barge with us or in a nearby anchorage, and devised a strategy to get us all through the LaGrange Lock before it closed for scheduled repairs. If we didn’t make it through the only southbound lockage of the day, we’d be enjoying the bustling metropolis of Beardstown for another day, so we were determined!
Well….we made it through! And in a very orderly fashion (it was amazing, actually) we loaded the lock, rafting three boats across, for the 4 foot drop. You make great friends in the locks because you’re close enough to visit on the “ride” down. There were many workmen on-site today for lock repairs, and the Loopers tossed candy and cookies up to them. One worker laughed and said “it’s like a parade!” With that many boats, it was a parade! Thanks to my friend Susan who taught me years ago to always be prepared with snacks!
The rest of the day we cruised south along the Illinois River with the rest of the flotilla at about 10 mph…it was a long, hot day without much visual interest. I’m thinking the first law of the Yukon also applies to river boating…the scenery only changes for the lead boat! 🙂
Grafton, Illinois, the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi rivers, was today’s destination. Around 5:00PM we were happy to see Grafton Harbor come into view on our port (left) side. Despite steady river currents, we tied up with the help of some friendly dock hands.
On our way to dinner across the street from the marina, Rick wanted to find Mike Kohlmiller, the unofficial “Ambassador of Grafton” who Rick met with Captain Danny Meadows on their May 2019 trip when Danny and Rick delivered R&R from Nashville to Holland. We walked into a restaurant and asked the bartender if he knew Mike Kohlmiller. From across the room, someone said “I am Mike Kohlmiller!” And we have the picture to prove it! It was a fun reunion.
👏👏👏glad you are back on R&R. Love traveling with you❤️