Monday Aug. 19, 2013

77 miles   Ottawa to Peoria, IL

Today was a long day on the water. We left Ottawa at 0630 and arrived in Peoria at 0400. We only had to go thru one lock today and that was at Starved Rock. We arrived about one hour after leaving Ottawa but had to wait for a tow with barges to lock thru first. The lock master let us tie off to a cement cell just outside of the lock while we waited. Two hours later we were on our way. This lock has a very special meaning for us because we toured it several years ago by car with Sherri’s parents. It sure looks a whole lot different from the water side.

It was a sunny, 80 degree day with flat water. (a boaters dream day) We met 2 tows and passed 1 along the way.

The Illinois River runs right thru Peoria Lake. We were told there could be a lot of Asian carp in this area. We did have a few jump as we traveled thru but thankfully we are a lot higher up then when we had the dinghy, so none of them came close to coming in the boat.

Peoria offers a free dock also, so we are tied up for the night with power.

 

This is the where we tied off waiting by Starved Rock Lock.

 

 

This view of the cliffs is across from the lock and got its name (Starved Rock) back when 2 Indian tribes were fighting. One tribe got stuck on top of the cliff and ended up starving

while waiting to get away.

 

After entering Peoria Lake we saw hundreds of white pelicans.

 

These are some fishermen trying to spear Asian carp.

(notice most of the boat has netting around it so the fish can't jump in)

 

 

Peoria Illinois