Day 99: From Island #525 to Alton Marina

Day 99: October 25:  Island #525 turned out to be a perfect anchorage; just off the channel in good depths. We heard a few barges go by during the night and aside from the soft patter of rain, we heard nothing else! Sleep came easy. 

It's a bit overcast this morning; the deck is wet with last night's rain; I'm hoping the sun comes out to take care of that. Our plan is to head to Alton, Marina about 15 miles away. We submitted a reservation request last night and are waiting to receive a confirmation. Just after 8:00 am John called to check on our request; we were told there was room for both boats and could head over at any time, so without hesitation we pulled up the anchor and left Island #525, heading for Alton, Marina. 

It was a quick 2 hour journey. We passed the huge American flag at Grafton Harbor; this indicates the end of the Illinois River. For the next 200 miles we will be moving south via the Upper Mississippi River. 

The scenery along the way was incredible. Colors were bursting from the shore to our port. Cliffs stretched through the middle of the higher and lower level foliage. The vista surely matches that of Vermont or New Hampshire. If only the sun had been out to light the broad sweeping views; I imagine it would have been breathtaking. 




If you look closely you will see a face peering out at us!

The river continued to offer spectacular scenery as well as a reminder that this is a place where folks earn a living and keep products flowing. Up and down, up and down, the tugs and barges go! Never ceasing.


We arrived at Alton Marina just after 11:30 and tied up at dock slip J22. Zendeavor floated in the harbor for quite some time waiting to get into the very crowded fuel dock. No sooner was he able to get in, when Summer Fling arrived; they too waited out in the harbor. I believe they were out there for at least 45". Folks are fueling up here as it is one of the few fuel stops available between here and the Ohio. Specifically, there are usually only 3 stops on the 281-mile run down the Mississippi and one on the 58 miles of the Ohio River. After Alton, the next stop is Hoppie's at mile 158.5. After Hoppie's, under normal conditions, the next fuel stop would be the transient dock at Paducah, KY 98 miles away. However, Paducah has had a problem this year and is not carrying fuel. This will cause a major problem for folks who can't carry enough fuel to get them to Kentucky Dam Marina. Fortunately we carry 600 gallons so will have no problem! 

We paid our dockage fee of $1.30 per foot. Alton is an AGLCA sponsor and gives Loopers a good rate; as well as .10 off a gallon of fuel. We plugged in the electric, did 2 loads of laundry (only $1.00 a load for the washer and dryer) and put our radar mast back up as we will not have to clear any fixed bridges for the rest of the trip. John was putting all the tools and away and I started to make dinner when it started to pour! We relaxed for the rest of the night (which includes a bag of popcorn) as we plan on a 6:30 am departure. 

The office area at Alton Marina

The route keeps going south

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 28, 2023 at 7:36 AM

    WOW…the Mighty Mississippi…Big Muddy! So how long to you have to be away from Westport to achieve skuke status? 😂

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousOctober 28, 2023 at 6:26 PM

    Can't take Westport out of this crew!

    ReplyDelete

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