Joliet, IL to Peoria, IL

The last blog referenced ‘crossing our wake’. This means we have completed our loop by arriving back to where we started. In our case it was Peoria, IL. We chose Peoria, IL because from June 1-Sept. 30, 2023, Brandon Road, Dresden Island and Marseilles locks were scheduled to close to navigation for critical repairs and maintenance. We trailered our boat to Peoria because it offered options to launch the boat below the lock closures, and we wanted to begin our loop as soon as we could in September, 2023.

This shows our route from Joliet, IL to Peoria, IL.

Saturday, August 24. Due to the Joliet wall being very close to the Brandon lock, we had one person phone the lockmaster to get an idea when the 8 pleasure craft boats could be locked through. The Army Core of Engineers do an excellent job communicating with PCs (pleasure craft) even though it may not be what we PCs want to hear. Barges have priority, and pop-ups can happen. It’s best to keep communication open as sometimes they can squeeze PCs through.

We were given the go ahead at 10:20 and after the Brandon lock we could lock down when we all arrived at the Dresden lock 15 miles away. It was a hot day and there were alot of boaters out.

The river was a mixture of industry and rural areas.  This was the first fishing boat like this that we have seen since last fall on the rivers.

There were 27 miles in between the Dresden lock and the Marseille lock. The pleasure boats were out. It was hot and we dodged skiers, pontoons, kayaks without a problem and with a friendly wave. But one—cigarette boat—I did not get a photo of or I would have reported them. They came up behind us fast, engine loud, and when I turned to see, the boat was so close—water sprayed up to our portside window. After a year of boating, we have only had a very small handful of rude, dangerous, and jerky boaters. This guy won the jerk award by far.

We had about a half hour wait at the Marseille lock before they could fit us in to lock down.

We stayed at the Heritage Harbor Marina.  It was hot--but still had a nice sunset.  We enjoyed dinner in the air-conditioned onsite restaurant with the fellow loopers that locked down with us.  It was a nice way to cool off and share the day's experience.

Sunday, August 25. We had only one lock to go before making it all the way to Peoria which was still almost 70 miles away. The Starved Rock lock was only 13 miles from Heritage Harbor. It was hot—-so we cruised to the lock arriving 2 hours later at 10:00am then waited for another hour before getting the green light to lock down. In the meantime we anchored and another boat ‘Ring Leader’ arrived to wait with us.

There was alot of activity at the Marseille lock.

Facts of Peru, Illinois --mainly because there wasn't alot to see during this part of our cruise.

Peru is the home of at least three very old companies. It is the national headquarters of American Nickeloid, started in 1898, and the W.H. Maze Co, dealing in lumber and nails, which started the year the Illinois and Michigan Canal opened in 1848. Maze Nails is one of America's last remaining nail makers.

This is Henry Harbor Marina.  Yes the wall is where we stayed.

Henry has the distinction of having the first lock and dam built on the Illinois River, from which came one of their town slogans, "Best Town in Illinois by a dam site." The lock was built in 1870 and last used in 1927.

We walked to town, after getting an overview of the area from Fran the owner. It was too hot to stay on the boat.

Couldn't pass up this place.  : )

This must be the sleeping grounds, they all gathered in close for the night.

Monday, August 26. This is a big day for us as we travel the 28nm to Peoria, IL.

Our last huge barge.

Our last blue heron... he is blue the sun made him look almost white.

Last pretty home seen from the river.

Last cell covered with birds.  Tall white ones are white pelicans.

Last bridge to go under.

Getting excited.....

Our crew are all ready.....they have stayed with us for the whole adventure.

At the Peoria Boat Club--wake has been crossed and the carp started flipping out.  This was unexpected and quite shocking.  It took a minute to get my phone so imagine almost double this amount before they calmed down.

We were greeted by Fred and Mary May, Peoria Boat Club Members. They came out in the 98 degree weather to catch the boat. After, Fred drove Darth to our truck and trailer at the nearby storage yard. Unfortunately, the truck did not start, Fred then drove Darth to buy new batteries and helped him get them installed. All of this in the super hot heat. We can’t thank Fred and Mary as well as the Peoria Boat Club enough for their kindness and willing to give us the hospitality they did at the clubhouse. Included was unlimited ice, free laundry, air conditioned club house with wi-fi and showers.

Our spot was the same spot where we began the loop last September.

Peoria Boat Club's air-conditioned clubhouse.

Tuesday, August 27.  The boat loaded perfectly on the trailer.  I was in awe of Darth making this happen so easlily.

Our photo showing we crossed our wake and now can fly the AGLCA Gold burgee.

Next blog—our trip home to cross our tracks.