Down the Mississippi

It has been a memorable journey down the Illinois River, but we are excited when we finally join the Mississippi River!

 

 

 

 

The cliffs along the river are stunning as well as huge.

Note how small the 18 wheeler looks on the highway that runs along the riverbank.

 

 

 

 

Soon after the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers, we arrived at the historic town of

Alton, Illinois.

 

 

 

 

 

Alton hosted the last debate between Lincoln and Douglas when they ran for the Senate.

Although Douglas eventually won the senatorial election, Lincoln's performance during the debates thrust him into the limelight for the Presidential race in 1861. 

 

 

 

 

 

One of Alton's huge murals depicting her role as a prominent port along the Mississippi River in the 1800's.

 

 

 

 

 

Alton Harbor Hosts, Robert & Patty (far right), took us to Mac's for a wonderful & fun dinner.

On Eddy's left is Mac, the owner himself, who takes good care of visiting Loopers.

 

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A full moon rises behind Spiritus at our slip in the Alton Marina.

 

 

 

 

 

Mike & Cindy (front row, left) are surrounded by Loopers who helped them celebrate the completion of their Loop!

Mike & Cindy are the crew of the 22 foot sailboat, Aurora.

 

 

 

 

 

We wrote & sang a special song for Mike & Cindy on our last night together.

We love them more than bacon . . . . . . and ice cream!

 

 

 

 

 

A short distance down the Mississippi River from Alton is St. Louis, Missouri.

Here's a view of the Gateway Arch that most of you don't get to see!

 

 

 

 

A "must stop" for Loopers on the Mississippi is the infamous Hoppie's.

 

 

 

 

 

Just a half dozen old barges tied together, Hoppie's make-shift dock is the last chance Loopers have to get fuel & water for the next several days.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Blue Owl Restaurant, a short walk from Hoppie's, has won multiple awards.

It has been featured on The Food Network, Travel Channel, Paula Deen and Oprah.

 

 

 

 

 

Most notable is their famous Levee High Carmel Apple Pecan Pie!

Yes, we ate the WHOLE thing!

 

 

 

 

 

An early morning start provided this serene, pre-dawn view of the Mississippi River.

 

 

 

 

 

Later that same day, we enjoyed a colorful sunset at our anchorage, just off the Mississippi.

 

 

 

 

 

The swiftest river we've traveled so far!

Normally, our cruise speed is 8.2 mph.  The current going DOWN the mighty Mississippi has us "speeding" at 12.2 mph!

 

 

 

 

When we left the Mississippi and started UP the Ohio River, the current changed directions and slowed our speed significantly. 

 

 

 

 

 

This is one of the smaller barges we passed while traveling on the Mississippi & Ohio Rivers.

The barge traffic was overwhelming at times and required extreme patience as we waited our turn at the locks & dams!

 

 

 

 

 

The picturesque Cumberland River takes Spiritus into Kentucky, her 21st state on The Great Loop. 

 

 

 

 

 

Another favorite stop for Loopers is Green Turtle Bay Marina on Kentucky's Cumberland River.

 

 

 

 

 

The best  2-inch thick pork chop the Captain has ever eaten was at Patti's!

 

 

 

 

 

 

According to our First Mate, the town of Benton has its priorities right when it comes to signage!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Back at Green Turtle Bay Marina, a group of First Mates gather before docktails.

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a toast to our wonderful trip down the Mississippi River and up the Ohio & Cumberland Rivers!

 

 

 

 

 

 



Illinois River

We left Chicago & cruised down the Ship Channel for 11 miles before intersecting the Illinois River.

 

 

 

 

We shared the channel with numerous tugs & barges.  No auto pilot on this leg!

 

 

 

 

Spiritus was thankful that her crew had lowered her mast for the dozens of bridges that lie ahead.

How many bridges do YOU see in this photo?

 

 

 

 

 

We communicate with fellow Loopers on the radio but seeing them approach is extra comforting.

 

 

 

 

 

Spiritus & 11 other Loopers are anchored outside the doors of Lock #3 waiting for our turn to enter the chamber. 

Since commercial vessels get priority over pleasure craft, we waited over 3 hours to enter this lock.

 

 

 

 

 

We were lifted through a total of 8 locks on the Shipping Channel and Illinois River.

 

 

 

 

The submerged electrical shock gates attempt to prevent the invasive Asian carp from entering Lake Michigan. 

We soon found out how prolific the Asian carp are on the Illinois & Mississippi Rivers! 

 

 

We watched hundreds of carp leaping out of the water.  Here are the first 2 that landed on Spiritus' deck!


 

 

And here is Captain Eddy, with rubber gloves, wrestling the uninvited carp!

Can you believe he never catches fish when he has a pole & bait but they just jump in our boat on this river!

 

 

 

Spiritus caught THIRTEEN !  We've been told it is a Looper record but not a record we were striving for!  

 

 

 

 

 

 Our first night on the Illinois River, we tied to Joliet's municipal city docks with Carina & Yinzer.
It was fun to watch the barges pass by and see the twinkling lights of the city from the water's edge.

As we sailed further south, the river traffic was less congested and the scenery became more beautiful.
We couldn't ask for better weather!!

 

The second night on the Illinois River, we stayed in the historic town of Ottawa.

 

This is the site where Lincoln and Douglas had their famous debates in 1858.

 

And we found signs of Lincoln around every corner in Ottawa!

 

Check out the view we have from Spiritus' flybridge at our third stop on the Illinois River!

 

 

Not to be outshined by the riverboat casino, the First Mate decides to wash Spiritus' ring so it's sparkly clean!

Peoria boasts a bustling waterfront but Spiritus passes by and chooses a quieter harbor further south.

Spiritus felt pampered at Tall Timbers Marina in Havana.
She scored her own private dock with a trail of flowers leading to the tikihut and boater's lounge!

Walking in quaint Havana, we felt like we were in a movie set from days gone by.

 

 

The 5th day on the Illinois River, the First Mate pulls out the Road Atlas to figure out where the Illinois meets the Mississippi?!

Our last night on the Illinois River, we anchored behind Buckhorn Island and enjoyed peaceful solitude.

The Captain grills yummy pork loin . . . . . .

. . . . . while the First Mate pours the wine!
"Lovin' our Looper Life!"