Mile 0

The Illinois River has been very enjoyable with many different experiences - the tows, the barges, waiting 4 hours to pass through a lock, a night tied to a barge, new friends.

Our last night on the Illinois, only 20 miles to Grafton (mile 0) we stopped for the night at the popular Mel's Riverdock Restaurant. We are tied to the restaurant's dock, put out all our fenders.

Big decision - frog legs, buffalo fish, chicken, or pie?

Pierre and Grant laugh at the waiter's wine list, which was passed on to him by a previous server.  He carries it in his pocket, just a little frayed. 

  Some had frog legs-I passed on them. I'm sure they tasted like chicken!!

Against my recommendation, King ordered Buffalo Fritters.  The look on his face says it all, what is this kind of fish?

 But we all had pie!

Now we are at Grafton Harbor Marina, mile 0, which is the end of the Illinois River as it meets the Missouri River and the Mississippi River.

Grafton Harbor Marina has LOTS of Loopers because of the bottleneck caused by flooding on the Mississippi . The first stop after leaving Grafton is usually Hoppies Marina, about 60 miles downstream on the Mississippi.  Hoppies can accommodate only six boats a night, so reservation are a must.  Fern, from Hoppies assigns each boat its night to come.

We organized a bonfire and 'somemores' to introduce Wild Raven to the other loopers.

King is roasting marshmallow for somemores.

Paper lanterns to cap off the evening.

 Visiting until "Loopers Midnight" - about 9:00 p.m.

Todd, from Ocean Breeze - he wants a to go bag for somemores.

Next morning the group took the courtesy van to Pere Marquette State Park for brunch. Grant holding the door  - always the gentleman.

Looking inside the beautiful lodge which was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps during the Great Depression. Pere Marquette Sate Park was named for Jacques Marquette, a French missionary who was a member of the European expedition led by Louis Joliet in 1673.  

A group photo.  Do we look full?

The tall ships, Nina and Pinta, were our dock mates for the night.  We had seen them several days ago in Peoria.

We sadly said good-bye to Pierre, Jennifer and Jasmine.  They are stopping in St Louis for speaking engagements.  We plan to see them on down the river.

We are staying in Grafton for a week, to work on the boat.  We are not getting too much done, for visiting, sight-seeing and going out to eat.

What a night to remember! Jeff Pritchard, national fiddle-playing champion, gave an impromptu concert here at Grafton Marina.  Wish I had one of Cindy's special occasion paper lanterns.

Fast Eddie's is a 1950 style restaurant, with 1950 prices.  Lots of fun and the food was good, too.

Dinner and dancing with Todd and Paula on Ocean Breeze at the Loading Dock Restaurant.  We first met them at Leland, Michigan and it was good to get together again.  Paula took our picture with the Spirit of Peoria in the background.

A good dance band for Todd and Paula.

Under a Blue Moon..

El Nido, Bob and his dog, Duncan, are here in Grafton.  We have not seen them since Joliet, IL.  We enjoyed a tour together of the National Great Rivers Lock and Dam Museum.

Looking at the log debris that has collected at the Great Rivers Lock. When heavy rains cause the river levels to rise, this all goes into the river.

The museum had an interactive display.  Here King is the tow captain and successfully got the barge into the lock.  

A display that showed barges are economical to move goods.

Dinner marking our last night on the boat (for a month) at Grafton Harbor Marina with Andy and Julie on Fruit Cakes. We traveled the Trent-Severn and visited Chicago together.  Great times. 

We have Gone To Texas to visit family  and friends, plus King has jury duty!  Gary and Vicki (front left at table) are continuing the loop on Blue Moon.  We will see you in November back on the boat somewhere between Columbus, MS, and Mobile, AL.