Monday, June 8
We had a reasonable quite night but were both awake fairly early. We had breakfast and were underway by 7:30. The plan was to run 53 miles to Starved Rock Marina. The Starved Rock Lock is just 2 miles before the marina.
The weather was overcast but did not look threatening. The forecast was for 60% chance of showers in the morning but just a slight chance of anything severe. The temperature was in the high 60s and it was a pleasant morning with the river all to our selves. We were no sooner off the dock and a light drizzle started. It continued off and on for a couple of hours, and then it began to break up with patches of blue sky.
The river continues to be very remote with many large backwaters and good size lakes of either side. There is the occasional town, often with many commercial barge operations. Many of the towns also have small marinas, mostly for local boaters and not able to handle larger boats that are travelling.
By lunch time it was partly cloudy and after lunch we went to the fly bridge to drive. The winds were kicking up and Diana decided she didn’t want that much wind and went below. Even
though the wind was behind us it was still strong.
I knew from radio traffic that there was a tow in front of us and I was worried that we would be right behind him at the lock and have a long delay. Fortunately when we were still two hours out he was asking to be locked thru and I figured he wouldn’t be a problem. We got close and I radioed a request to lock thru and the lock master said they were locking a tow down and when he exited they would take us up.
We waited maybe 15 minutes for the lock to
empty and the tow to exit and in we went. Remember those winds I talked about, it was a real challenge to get near the floating bollard 
and keep it stationary and under control while Diana got the line on. It wasn’t pretty but it was 
acceptable thanks to the thrusters.
We exited the lock and headed upriver; a mile later I radioed the marina and got instruction for docking. I had phoned in the morning and told them we were coming. They told me to just tie off to the outer end of “D” dock. The wind was blowing straight down the dock making every effort to keep us away. With some good line work Diana got two lines secured on the dock and we were in safely. Before we finished I lost the front thruster, the inverter batteries were dead. I now have an idea of how long I can run that thruster without turning on the generator.
After we got boat chores done I went on the internet for the local weather, it said last hour winds 22 mph gusting 30. That is installment payments two and three on the thruster with a safe locking and a satisfactory docking.
By 3:30 we were planning the rest of the day. There always seems to be lots to do. Starved Rock appears to be a nice marina, but here the second week in June they are just getting started for the season, probably only half the boats in the water, too much bad weather and high water this year.
It is now 9:00 and we have both been up to use the showers and by the time this is posted it will be the end of another good day.
We had a reasonable quite night but were both awake fairly early. We had breakfast and were underway by 7:30. The plan was to run 53 miles to Starved Rock Marina. The Starved Rock Lock is just 2 miles before the marina.
The weather was overcast but did not look threatening. The forecast was for 60% chance of showers in the morning but just a slight chance of anything severe. The temperature was in the high 60s and it was a pleasant morning with the river all to our selves. We were no sooner off the dock and a light drizzle started. It continued off and on for a couple of hours, and then it began to break up with patches of blue sky.
The river continues to be very remote with many large backwaters and good size lakes of either side. There is the occasional town, often with many commercial barge operations. Many of the towns also have small marinas, mostly for local boaters and not able to handle larger boats that are travelling.
By lunch time it was partly cloudy and after lunch we went to the fly bridge to drive. The winds were kicking up and Diana decided she didn’t want that much wind and went below. Even
though the wind was behind us it was still strong.I knew from radio traffic that there was a tow in front of us and I was worried that we would be right behind him at the lock and have a long delay. Fortunately when we were still two hours out he was asking to be locked thru and I figured he wouldn’t be a problem. We got close and I radioed a request to lock thru and the lock master said they were locking a tow down and when he exited they would take us up.
We waited maybe 15 minutes for the lock to
empty and the tow to exit and in we went. Remember those winds I talked about, it was a real challenge to get near the floating bollard 
and keep it stationary and under control while Diana got the line on. It wasn’t pretty but it was 
acceptable thanks to the thrusters.We exited the lock and headed upriver; a mile later I radioed the marina and got instruction for docking. I had phoned in the morning and told them we were coming. They told me to just tie off to the outer end of “D” dock. The wind was blowing straight down the dock making every effort to keep us away. With some good line work Diana got two lines secured on the dock and we were in safely. Before we finished I lost the front thruster, the inverter batteries were dead. I now have an idea of how long I can run that thruster without turning on the generator.
After we got boat chores done I went on the internet for the local weather, it said last hour winds 22 mph gusting 30. That is installment payments two and three on the thruster with a safe locking and a satisfactory docking.
By 3:30 we were planning the rest of the day. There always seems to be lots to do. Starved Rock appears to be a nice marina, but here the second week in June they are just getting started for the season, probably only half the boats in the water, too much bad weather and high water this year.
It is now 9:00 and we have both been up to use the showers and by the time this is posted it will be the end of another good day.
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