Mississippi River Hoppie’s Marina October 14-15, 2016
We said bye to Grafton and Janet early this morning. It was overcast, cool and windy. We had waits on both of the big locks past Alton. WOW!!! Those seemed to go on forever they were so large, but ironically since the river is so high we didn’t have that big of drop…On these two locks the gate rose from underneath the water which was strange to see…
We made it to Hoppie’s around 3 thanks to all the waits but in plenty of time to hear the Famous Fern’s river and anchorage lecture. She was pretty amazing!!! A regular fountain of knowledge and help…She told us that US Boat is stationed out of Green Turtle Bay (GTB), but their territory goes up to Hoppie’s and past GTB which was really good to know…
We pray we won’t need them, but the amount of logs and other debris in the Mississippi is really awful. That doesn’t even take into account all the buried wing dams, boats, cars and crap….that aren’t marked on the charts. Even some of the buoys have gotten submerged by logs, so we have to watch the water carefully to see what is going on in front of us…
In some of the narrower parts of the channel she recommended letting the barges pass through first rather than passing next to them. So M & D have really got to be on their toes for the next couple of days…
There were two federal government delivery captains delivering this crazy federal Parks Pirate style boat from Pensacola to Drummond Island in MI. They were really helpful too! Having just come up from the south in the past couple of days, they had the latest information. (Talking about an interesting job if you love boats and being on the water…)
We ate onboard because mom wasn’t feeling too well. She and I went to bed early while dad watched one of his DVD’s…None of us got a lot of sleep here with all the noise of the debris hitting Moondance and the groaning lines…so we were up and off fairly quickly.
Surprisingly, since many of those docked here were in a hurry to get to the BBQ place in town before it closed we didn’t really get to talk to them or get cards…we just hurriedly agreed that Compass Rose and Antares Star were all going to Kaskaskia Lock and Dam tomorrow and staying there for the evening…
Surprisingly, since many of those docked here were in a hurry to get to the BBQ place in town before it closed we didn’t really get to talk to them or get cards…we just hurriedly agreed that Compass Rose and Antares Star were all going to Kaskaskia Lock and Dam tomorrow and staying there for the evening…
Hoppie's Marina's Fern, she reminded us of Marge Schott...She was great! Lots of boat and river knowledge!!!
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| A USA boat that delivery captains were taking to Drummond Island |
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Here's Frosty, one of the delivery captains...he fired the canyon for us...fun! Yep, we climbed over this long gangway up to this driveway... |
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Hoppie's Marina...it reminded us of Sir Charles Auto in Hamilton, OH...a lovable hodge podge with great people!!! Moondance before everyone else pulled into Hoppie's...its just a series of old barges... Alton, IL was after Grafton & way before Hoppie's and St. Louis, but this program loads photos in an odd way and it takes too long for mom to put them in the right order... |
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| Alton, IL from the river |
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| The big lock by Alton, IL |
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| We watched this barge come in behind us |
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| No problems, she fit in easily |
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| Outside of Alton, IL were what looked to be old gambling boats/barges St Louis was really pretty from the water. A nice mix of old and new but surprisingly enough not really many riverfront businesses or area??? Probably because this river is so challenging!!! Obviously, M & D are prejudice but they said Cincinnati, Covington and Newport have done a much better job of developing the riverfront areas… |
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| One of the old industrial plants along the river...love this old style architecture |
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| Thought this bridge was pretty by downtown St. Louis |
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| We always had to be on the lookout for fishing boats along with the barges. |
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| From the riverfront view the arch framed the capital building...very pretty! |
Mississippi River Kaskaskia Lock and Dam 10/15-16/2016
Along with the sections of industry along south of Hoppie’s there were some really beautiful Mc Mansions that we imagine are people that might work in St. Louis?
I along with M & D are enjoying the views along here but we are not enjoying all the bumps Moondance is taking despite all M & D’s best efforts to avoid them! UGH! I like it best when the riverbanks are unspoiled…parts even have beach like sand piled up. We will all be happy to get in early today thanks to the 3-4 knot push we are getting. We can get a good nap before having a nice dinner onboard tonight probably by ourselves unless someone decides to zip about in their dingy from boat to boat…Normally they don’t allow us to get on the lock walls but here the lock master said it was OK, just no climbing the tall ladders! As if???
Lots of plants of all different kinds...
Caught the train going along the Mississippi here
Compass Rose ahead of us on Kaskaski Lock Wall
Our view of the park on the other side of the lock
      
Where was someone playing taps when we needed them?
We reached a new record with a pot luck on our boat with 10 of us counting me! It was quite the feast: Thai Shrimp and Veggies, Chicken Tikki Masala, Basmati Rice, Naan, St Louis BBQ, Broccoli Salad and Broccoli Slaw and fresh Lime Bars…We set it up buffet style in the galley, and they ate on their laps or table on the flybridge…the leftovers were incredible!!! It was a fun night!
Three of the people, Craig, Mark and Bren were on a small gas powered houseboat Gypsy, then Antares Star’s: Walt & Ladonna and Compass Rose’s, Sandra and John. We couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful night! Sandra explained it was “Witch’s Night” in Kimmswick, MO (up the hill from Hoppie’s) and they were enthusiastically getting ready for it! (Women’s Only!!!)
Mississippi River Little Diversion Channel 10/16-17/2016
Heading out in the morning with this beautiful view facing us
Gypsy jumped out first
 
Sandra and John's beautiful Compass Rose
Once again the push from the southern current got us to our anchorage around 2:30. Dad had to really crank up our speed to get us across the current to get in there! Exciting!!! It was pretty in there with only another bass boat and 3 other loopers with us. Fish were a jumpin!!! The weather heated up so M & D ran the generator for AC and cooking until the sun went down. Then, turned it back on for us to sleep…nice! Mom bought me a new cooling bed and I am really enjoying it!!!
Notice most of these industries use trains and river transportation
 
These natural formations were really pretty
  
Another MIMI 100+ feet yacht...our second one we spotted on this trip.
My Mom, the real MIMI would be so proud!!! LOL!
   
Our view coming back into the Mississippi the next morning
Four very young loopers,Jonathan, Lillian, Connie and Marcus got off their boat, Last Call for cocktails and came to talk to the rest of us using their dingy…We all agreed to leave at 7, but only Compass Rose and us got off at that time…the other two are following and keeping in touch via radio and phone.. The other boats got their dogs off the boats to do their business. M & D just let me pee on the boat because all the banks were so muddy and slippery looking… I was happy to cooperate!
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