Lily, A Dog's Life Aboard Moondance: Inching Down the Illinois River

Havana, IL Tall Timbers Marina October 9-10, 2016

It was a quiet night and warm enough we didn’t need to turn our generator on until this morning. The biggest struggle this morning was dad trying to see out of the Strata Glass on the Flybridge with all the dew inside and out. We have a tall scrapper for the outside and soft rags for the inside but for awhile, it was a constant battle.

One of the few buildings along this stretch

Not sure what is happening here???

We spotted another Loop boat but it seemed they like to stay to themselves

As we got closer to Peoria, more homes and industry appeared including another looper. Not sure if he will stay with us or not. Peoria had lots of nice riverfront areas with restaurants, bars, parks, outdoor markets and lodging. The downtown looked really nice too. It probably would have been worth a stay but we want to push further south…

Peoria, IL

It had a really large riverfront area...here is a park with an outdoor market

Next to the park

Love Paddle Wheelers!!!

Thankfully, with so many bridges to pass under...they were all tall!

We couldn't figure out what this massive plant was???

but, it went on for awhile...

Mostly this type of scenery was our view along the Illinois River

Coming closer to the Peoria Lock and Dam, we couldn’t believe it! When Salt Lick talked to the lock master, he told us all that the wickets were down since the river was high. Meaning we didn’t have to lock through. (It reminded mom of the Blazing Saddles Movie where there is a tollgate in the middle of the desert, but in this case we didn’t have to stop!!! Whoopee!!!)

The Wickets were down on this lock, so we got to go around it!

The long view of the lock and dam

Jesuit Pierre Marquette's logo on this transportation system, if we passed this tug once we have passed him a half dozen times

Thankfully with the sun out the day started warming up quickly. We should be back into the 70’s by the time we get to Havana. YEAH! Mom being ever the optimist put on shorts. Since it’s a Sunday we have had more pleasure craft & fishermen than barges which keeps our cruising easier…

Extreme water glare calls for desperate measures...another use for Skipper Bob's Guide

The biggest place we saw after Henry’s was the Illinois Valley Yacht Club and some really fancy McMansions on the hillsides north of Peoria and on Peoria Lake that is part of the Illinois River.

The Illinois Valley Yacht Club

It was quite large and one of the few we saw along here

One of the first hills we have seen in awhile complete with a large house with a view!!!

Mom is worried about me because my third eyelid continues to cover half of my left eye. She is driving me crazy with eye drops which I hate but evidently it does keep the redness down. She is threatening me with going to the vets at Grafton…Oh Great!

The only time M & D are encountering much in the way of swells is either passing barges or motorboats. Otherwise, I’m happy to report this river is calm and giving us a bit of a nice boost south thanks to the current rolling with us. It looks like we will get to Havana, IL sooner than we hoped which is always nice!!! We might be able to go check it out before dinner…

Tall Timbers Marina has a really friendly person working there, Debbie. As we were docking, other boaters just jumped up to help out which M & D like a lot!!

Salt Lick executing the U turn in front of the RV lot to get into Tall Timbers Marina

!n season, it must be a happening place when the bar is open and music playing. With the bar closed people were partying on the docks. They have lots of covered areas with chairs or picnic tables and grills…nice. The bathrooms are funny though…two decorated port a potties, but ironically good wifi reception!

Tall Timbers Marina and Blue Heron Bar

Following her into Tall Timbers

Safe and sound for the night

D & M went to town with Janet and Hank and left me to sleep. It evidently took them a bit of a walk to see the downtown and find the restaurant, Babes on Plum. They returned with leftover fried chicken dinner. YUM! (Mom shared fresh green beans with me which I really enjoyed!!!) While mom did laundry & got organized for the next day, Dad watched the Presidential debates…Mom and I said enough of that! We went to bed to read and snuggle!

Downtown Havana is really cute, but like so many small towns...lots of closed buildings

Looking back towards the river

City Hall and Park

Babe's on Plum turned out to be quite tasty and fun!

S of Havana, IL Buckhorn Island MM 46.5 10/10-11, 2016

We are afraid to say anything but the weather has turned lovely again. It was in the upper 50’s/low 60’s when we woke up so we didn’t bother with heat or AC. Slept well with no rocking and rolling and little noise. YEAH!

Got an early start and really haven’t encountered much traffic today, Columbus Day…an occasional barge and a delivery captain driving a mega yacht south. Again thanks to the river height we again got to drive right by two locks saving us loads of time!!! We are actually seeing a bit of sandy beach here and there but think it is the result of them trying to fill in an old lock.

Beach along the Illinois River?

Now, we get it...the filled in an old lock

Not much industry or homes along this stretch, just lots of levies, trees, shrubs, a pair of eagles and various other birds. It wasn’t until we got down around Meredosia and Naples, IL before we saw lots of massive grain elevators servicing the barges and the very large (CIP) Central Illinois Power Plant. A couple of boat clubs popped up as well, but their ramps were pretty well destroyed!!! Mom shared her leftover fried chicken with me for our lunch…quite tasty even cold!

M & D, Janet and Hank’s biggest decision is where to anchor for the night??? Trying to decide between pretty & closer or farther away and tucked behind an island??? It will be Salt Lick’s first night for anchoring and rafting off another boat…So glad, Knot Sew Easy taught us!

Today has bit a bit breezy which will make anchoring more of a challenge, but still doable…The ride has been distinctly more bumpy thanks to the winds, but I don’t mind…I can still nap while watching the river go by…

Bald Eagles and their eaglets

Another Naples Boat Club

One of the only historic homes that we have seen along the river

Another Boat Club???

Weird passing under this bridge with the train passing on it

Ate on Salt Lick tonight with M & D bringing salad and dessert…I did my Numero One business so they let me on board Salt Lick too! Best hamburgers ever!!! Hank has a charcoal grill and Janet made bernaisas sauce for them while Mom made a caesar salad but with marinated veggies too…Mom shared…so I was very happy!!! While on board it decided to sprinkle, followed by a brilliant sun and then a short rainbow…Simply an incredible anchorage and night over all!!!