Tuesday 9/30/14

Up at 0630, checked engines, generator, and transmissions in preparation for 0730 departure.  Last night we put out 2 anchors only to discover the stern anchor did not set so that was no help.  We hoist the anchor and bring up some garbage then proceed to channel to wait for Beulah Belle.  They become stuck on something and take a minute to maneuver their way free and start our day travel at 0747 at mm 258.6.  Cool and overcast this am.  At 0929 we arrive at Marseilles mm 244.  Have to wait for our nemesis Samuel Fleming , and the northbound tow Champion to clear the locks. We hurried to lock and proceeded to wait.  Finally at 1109 we are in the lock. Exit lock at 1147.  An hour later we arrive at the Starved Rock lock mm 231 only to find our favorite southbound tow Samuel Fleming waiting for us.  He agrees to let us lock thru before him because we have a light tow, Tommy Andrews, traveling with us. He is heading home to New Orleans.  This light tow brought a barge to Lemont and returning home with nothing.  It will be a long way home for the father/son captain team.  In lock at 1400 out at 1424.  We just keep motoring for the next 4 hours to reach the nights anchorage.  At 9 mph we go nowhere fast.  The Illinois River is nice – nothing exciting but very nice, tree lined, big green trees, beyond them are often field of corn ready for harvest, some campgrounds on the river front sprinkled in between and eagles soaring overhead at sunset.  Anchoring out is nice but also a little nerve racking until Colletta masters the technique, it will improve.  Dinner included our family and friends, Georgia’s  rub on the chops, Joys gift of wine with dinner, Vivi’s chocolate for dessert and Brooklynn following our travels on a map – great way to end a day.

Busy commercial areas abound on northern part of Illinois River