Alton, IL - Grand Rivers, KY

Monday, September 18. We left Alton, IL and passed through the Chain of Rocks canal built to avoid exposed rocks on the Mississippi River. We do not want to be on the evening news by missing the turn which is marked by a large sign pointing to the direction of the lock. Shortly after the canal and lock we went by the St. Louis, MO Gateway Arch, sadly there is no dock to stop at, so for now we ooohed and ahhhhhed looking how massively huge this 630’ monument is. And read about some of the history to the western territorial expansion of the U.S. thanks to google and Aunt Liz. : ) Still can’t wrap my head around going up inside this arch on a tram.

Our destination was the famous Hoppies Marina near Kimmswick, MO—which is 46 miles from Alton, IL. Hoppies is a must stop for loopers being the last place to buy fuel before Paducah, KY which is 208 miles away. We hopped (yes I went there) onto our bikes to Kimmswick— such a cute town but nothing was open on Mondays. Dang darn! In the photo below of Hoppies dock, is the Anheuser Estate in the background. The grounds were in a beautiful setting that we were able to ride through. Back at the dock, we were treated with extremely valuable information from Debbie, the daughter of Fern who was legendary with advising loopers where to go all the way to Mobile, AL. Due to Fern’s health, Dabbie has taken over advising loopers and shared her knowledge and advice that would take us all the way to our current destination in Green Turtle Bay.

Hoppies Dock, Kimmswick, MO

Tuesday, September 19. We fueled and left Hoppies by 8:45am. We had constant wind coming from the south but otherwise another sunny day. Our destination was the free dock at the Kaskaskia Lock wall 41 miles away. Normally there would be other boats sharing this lock but again we are still alone on our adventure—until October when the locks below Chicago open. We decided this has been a blessing for us to get used to navigating the river with all the tugboats with huge barges without adding alot of recreation boats. The Tugboat operators seem to appreciate a radio call asking which side we should pass on—always following up with a wave as we go by. This day we counted 15 tugs and barges. The Kaskaskia dock was such a wonderful spot out of the wind and we enjoyed a beautiful sunset.

Kaskaskia Lock wall.

Kaskaskia Dock wall at sunset

Wednesday, September 20. We left the quiet dock wall at 8:15 am to anchor at the Little Diversion Canal 69 miles away. Along the way we passed the Home of the Menard Medium Security prison right on the river. Then a little way down in Chester, IL is the Elzie C. Segar Memorial Park that celebrates Mr. Segar’s life as a cartoonist—most famous for Popeye in the 1930’s. This new bit of knowledge has served me well when questioned later by locals in Paducah, KY if I knew what the city of Chester was famous for. (Besides the prison of course).

After passing Chester, we came up on a tug and barge with turbines on the side of the river. Along with the 11 tug/barges, we also saw so many bald eagles, blue herons, ducks and beautiful scenery along the way. Right before we got to the turn off to the Little Diversion Canal the river started getting populated with industry and we could tell the next part of our Mississippi river experience was going to be a busy one with tug traffic.

We counted 42 turbines—they are massive!

While anchoring in the Little Diversion Canal, a huge fish jumped right by the boat. We looked closer and there were so many fish just under the surface—it was kind of creepy. You would not want to swim or fall in.

Little Diversion Canal anchored for the night.

Thursday, September 21. Today we pulled up the anchors easily at 9:00 am, and began our 90 mile journey to Paducah, KY City Marina where we will spend two nights. This leg was full of tugs and barges—some connected—some not—some moving—some not—a busy day on the river for sure! We took a left turn to go up the Ohio River at Cairo, IL the southernmost city of IL. Cairo is pronounced Kay-Ro and following the Ohio around the bend completely transformed us to more industry—the surrounding area was so busy. Besides the tugs/barges there was dredging. We were now going up-stream losing all fuel economy, and also wanting to get through this part quickly.

Along the way we passed Metropolis, IL. This is a destination for Superman fans and known as the adopted home of Superman and his closest allies and some of his foes. It has been nice having google at our fingertips to find out about the areas we are going through—even though there isn’t a way to stop.

We arrived at the Paducah City Marina around 5:30pm and would spend two nights. The city of Paducah was holding their annual BBQ on the River festival that began Thursday, September 21 through Sunday, September 24th. We were greeted with the nicest folks that make this one of their annual gatherings. We had help from the moment we arrived for docking, and what we have in store on our journey ahead.

BBQ on the River in Paducah, KY—this doesn’t show how big the crowd was or how good the smell of BBQ was!

Ok—maybe too many photos…. but seriously could you pass up frozen Key Lime pie dipped in chocolate???

Friday, September 22. We rode the bikes to the River Maritime Museum, it was very interesting to read about the history of the river’s heritage. We then decided to ride 3.5 miles to the grocery store—we ended up going a little further as there was a bike route along the way. Oh my it was HOT! We purchased and devoured a box of 3 Haagen Daz ice cream bars in the parking lot before riding the 3.5 miles back to the marina.

Luckily for me, the National Quilt Museum was still open and only about a block away from the dock. Unluckily for Darth, the Civil War museum was closed during the BBQ festival so he opted to walk back and wait for me in the air conditioned lobby of the Quilt Museum.

My grandmother first introduced me to a hand sewn double wedding ring quilt she had that was made out of scraps of material. I was always fascinated with the care it must have taken to line all the little pieaces up and then hand stitch the pieces together. To my quilting friends I thought of you all every minute while going through this museum! Oh the detail was amazing, shown below, but you cannot see the tiny pieces of material expertly stitched to form the masterpieces.

This quilt is made of little tiny pieces of material—the stitching was amazing.

Another beauty—

Saturday, September 23. We said our good-byes to Richard & Vickie, Brian & Wendy—and dog Luna (that looks like the talking dog on MIB), Jeremy and Amy. There was another very nice couple but we didn’t get their names. They sent us off with well wishes and information that we are extremely grateful for.

As we continued on the Ohio River, we happily turned off to the Cumberland River that will take us to Green Turtle Resort & Marina 43 miles away. Along the Cumberland, we saw alot of dead carp—not just one or two but all along the 40+ miles. This is due to the drought & increased water temperatures of the river, causing reduced oxygen in the water, it was a sad sight to see.

Below shows the Cumberland River Quarry, we slowed down to watch the dump trucks load a barge. They would speed away and another would be right behind.

Cumberland River Quarry

We arrived at the Green Turtle Marina at 4:30. It was HOT—86 degrees and we had just locked through the Barkley Lock rising up in the hot sun. The slip we are assigned to is about twenty steps away from a wonderful shower that I opted for, while Darth opted for shade and a beer. We then walked to the Thirsty Turtle less than a 1/2 mile away, and enjoyed a local band with pizza and hot fried cauliflower.

Thirsty Turtle drinks….really not sure what all was in them…. but we drank and enjoyed.

View from the Thirsty Turtle looking back at the Barkley Lake Dam.