Hammond IN. to Grafton IL.

Thurs. Sept. 18, we entered the Calumet River along with a Canadian couple Jim & Mimi aboard Perfect Balance (they are also Looping). Getting back in the river system means being back in the land of, (or should I say water of) barges and tows. Oh My! After 2 locks and the Asian Carp electric fence we tied up at a free wall in Joliet IL.

Does Randy look happy to be back on the water??

 

 

 Locking thru with Perfect Balance.

 

Sept. 19 – Sept. 22 we continued down the IL. River with Jim & Mimi, staying in Ottawa, Peoria, and than Grafton Marina. Our weather has been mostly sunny getting in the 70’s during the day but cooling down into the upper 50’s at night.

2 of the locks we went thru the water was so high we didn't have to use the lock, but instead they lower wickets next to the lock chamber that boats float over top of. This is La Grange lock where the Lock Master let us tie up over night right on the lock wall.

 

 Jim, Randy, Sherri, & Mimi in Ottawa IL.

 

 White pelicans.

 

 We got to travel with the Nina & Pinta for one day.

 

 The scenery isn't all tows and barges.

Wed. Sept. 17, 2014

Holland MI. to Hammond Marina IN.

Priorities is back in the water after 6 weeks of being high and day. After painting the bottom, adding 2 more solar panels, new props, waxing, and cleaning she is ready to make another trip south. Sherri’s Dad got the OK to drive again after knee surgery so we are ready to head south too. We pulled out of our slip @ 6:15 am, waved goodbye to Sherri’s sister Deb who came to see us off and headed out the channel. After 10 hours on Lake MI. we arrived at Hammond Marina IN. Our ride today started out with 1 foot waves turned to 2-4 foot for a couple of hours and then flattened out for the rest of the way.

Randy finishing the bottom paint and putting the new props on.

 

 Brand new props!

 

 Last day getting everything ready to leave. Cold and wet weather, its time to head south.

 

 Looking back as we left Holland harbor.

 

 Beautiful sunrise to start the day.

 

 Chicago skyline.