Thursday 10/5/06 Racine, Wi. 12:40 to Burnham Harbor Chicago, Il 23:00
56nmi=64mi. 12hr sail
Great sail Approaching Chicago skyline with full moon was impressive, Bahai Temple also made great impression as glowing landmark on otherwise dark north shore
Friday Burnham Harbor 9:46 to Crowleys Yacht Yard 12:40 from calumet Harbor Rivermile (Im) 336
15nmi=17mi. 3hr EJandE Bridge Im324 motor,sail
real rust belt, gigantic machines, slag heaps,coal yards,steel mills, lots of railroad bridges and structures from a monstrous erector set .
Constructed mast cradle. will unstep in AM. A pair of beaver swimming past boat in moonlight
Saturday Crowley's 14:30 to Riverdale Marina 17:15 Im320
4mi 3hr O'Brien lock
More rust belt, a gigantic Canadian freighter at a unloading terminal. Learned magnetic autohelm steering becomes confused under bridges, nearly rammed bridge . Close encounter with oncoming 2wide barge passing 2wide parked barges in 4wide channel-no room for me, spun around and ducked behind parked barges. New Marina owner let me stay free, "spread the word"
Sun Riverdale Marina 7:45 2:00 Big Basin Marina, Channahon Im278
42mi 12hr Lockport, Brandon Rd. Locks Rock Island bridge ran aground, anchor dragged
Met friendly trawler folks while waiting at locks. Learning a lot about river navigation. fisherman pulled me off. tow(assembly of barges and towboat) passing at 1AM caused anchor to unset. moon helped me navigate river by night to marina 2miles downstream
Mon Big Basin Marina 7:05 Ottowa Public Marina 18:30 Im 240
38mi 9hr Visit Morris Dresden, Marseilles Locks ran aground
Morris has nice river landing stopped for groceries-store closed. Met up with trawler folks at Ottowa marina after they launched their dinghy to tow me off shoal at entrance
Tue Ottowa 8:00 Henry Marina 15:30 Im 196
44mi 8hr Starved Rock Lock
Met owners of home-built Bolger AS-29(look it up) Traveling big loop from New York since June
Wed Henry Marina 9:45 Pekin Boat Club 16:20 Im 153
43mi 6hr Peoria Lock
Lots of Asian Carp stories at Marina-bow hunting while fish are jumping-Dip netting contests to catch fish while in air
Thur 10/12 Pekin 8:00 Beardstown 17:00 Im 88
65mi 9hr
Beardstown very pleasant town square. Museum with story of ALincoln almanac case here
Fri Beardstown 8:00 Kampsville 16:00 Im 32
56mi 8hr La Grange Lock
Reenactors lining riverbank, Met had dinner on board with 80 year owner-builder of 40ft steamboat
Sat Kampsville 12:00 Mississippi River Mm 218 Alton 18:40 Mm 203
47mi 7hr
Mighty Mississippi big change from somewhat lazy Illinois.
