Day 145: Peoria to Beardstown, Illinois
Day 145: Saturday, September 10th: We got up early for a long run, but Ruth decided the boat was too dirty to go -- so she washed it off. We then filled the water tank got underway. Yesterday we were plowing a trench in the mud bottom in the marina due to shallow water. After fueling and filling with water, we were digging a canyon!
As we left the marina, there were a zillion seagulls adorning the breakwater:
We cruised through the city part of Peoria. One of the biggest industrial buildings was dumping this stream into the river. We wondered what was in it:
A short way downstream we came to our first wicket dam. These dams only dam the water during low river levels (to assure enough depth to navigate). In the spring when the water is higher, they lower the wicket dams and boats just sail right over the dam. Sounded scary. Here is the dam in the up position, looking from the upstream side:
And here is a look at the dam from the downstream side. They just lay those stick-like things down:
We were following Unforgettable again through more pretty part of the Illinois River. Actually, when you are not in a built-up city, the river can be quite lovely. The only problem is there are no anchorages and very few facilities to tie up.
We moored for the night at the most unique place so far on the Loop. We tied to a barge that belonged to Logston Tow Services in Beardstown, IL. This is what Integrity's berth looked like:
This is a working barge and towboat facility. Twenty-four hours a day, these boats move about. That's Unforgettable nested to the tow:
Ruth was given a tour of Sprig, a "yard tug" (Bill's words):
Here is Sprig and Pintail next to the facility owner's pontoon boat:
This is what Integrity looked like in the setting sun. Different from the usual:
Webmaster note: I don't believe that piling is giving the finger to the setting sun, but you never know...
Soon Butterfly Suite with Loopers Bud and Connie came in and moored. We all enjoyed happy hour on Unforgettable. Sad note: the next day, Butterfly Suite hit a "deadhead" (submerged log) and bent her prop/shaft. She had to get hauled out for repairs; bummer.
It has been very hot for the last few days so we had hot soup for supper. Pretty good!
One more lock today for a trip total of 121.
Position tonight: N40 01.031 W090 26.331
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