We have not posted for awhile because we have lacked a good wifi connection. On Tuesday, Sept. 3rd we headed from Burnham Harbor in Chicago across a lumpy Lake Michigan to the Cal-Sag,  on which we began our river adventure. We followed the Cal-Sag under many bridges, past a lot of industry and through our first lock, the Thomas S. Obrien. The Cal-Sag merges with the Chicago Sanitary canal, where we met our first barge. They are big. We also were followed by another looper, Fredricka Lady.  Together we locked through the Lockport Lock and I got my first lesson in using a bollard (a large cylinder around which you wrap a line to steady the boat as it drops the boat). We went down 39 feet. It was amazing to look up and see how far you went down.  With Fredricka Lady, we tied to the Joliet Free Dock. We were visited by the harbor hosts, who took to us to a grocery store. During the night two large lighted barges passed withing 10 feet of us. Wednesday brought the next lock, Brandon Road, and we went down another 34 feet. We locked through the Dresden Island Lock and down another 22 feet. We also met up with our friends on Sea Fever. They led the pack to the Marseilles Lock, which did not have bollard. they had you a bow and stern line you let off as you go down another 24 feet.  We then all arrived at Heritage Harbor in Ottawa, IL. We met up with our friends from Meandering. A looper party was held at the pool. We stayed an extra day for engine maintainence. The plus at Heritage Harbor was cable and we got to see Thursday night football.  Friday brought us to Starved Rock Lock and we went down another 19 feet. When the gates openned, we faced a huge barge, but we went around it as we left. That night we went to Henry's marina. It was  an unpleasant experience due to the old lock wall which was falling apart, the lack of direction coming in, no help tying up to rebar, electricity on telephone poles, and lousy showers. The dock hand showed up after we were all through. Tony was not happy to say the least.  We were joined there by Always 5 O'Clock, Blue Moon, and Entree. Saturday our convoy of boats was lead by Blue Moon as we made our way to the Illinois Valley Yacht Club in Peoria. We shared a cab with Laurie and Bill from Entree to run errands. Sea Fever also came in. We all went to dinner at the No Wake Zone. Today Sea Fever and Summer Recess made our way to the Peoria Lock. We thought we had a two hour wait. We anchored and Sea Fever rafted off. Avery large barge was going through. However, our wait was shortened because the tow captain allowed to lock through with him. We went down another 11 feet. Sea Fever and we are docked at Tall Timbers in Havana, IL. Our journey so far down the rivers has been interesting, we have seen a lot of beautiful natural landscapes as well as many barges and industrial sites.  We have found the lock masters and barge captains to be very friendly and helpful. Oh yes, we have seen the flying Asian Carp. None have landed on our boat but many have slapped the sides. As of today we have traveled 757 miles: 544 on Lakes Huron and Michigan and 213 on the rivers. We are presently on the Illinois. We will join the Mississippi in about four days. Life is good.
The pictures below reflect our river experiences so far. (I did not get a shot of the carp.)