Grafton, IL

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 19th - GRAFTON, IL

Trip Day:	192	Latitude:	38°58.11 ' N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	20	Longitude:	090°26.30'W	Locks Total:	89
Total Miles:	3,854	Location:	Grafton,  IL

We took our time this morning getting underway a little after eight.  A short trip to Grafton will be a stop for re-provisioning and laundry.  Grafton is just before the convergence of the  Mississippi River. 

At this point we are playing a waiting game.  Lock 27 on the Mississippi River has been closed for repairs for several days.  We have heard reports that there are 40 tugs with barges pushed onto the river banks waiting for the lock to re-open.  We don’t know how many pleasure craft are also waiting.  Once the lock opens, it could take several days to clear the backlogged traffic, so we are in no hurry. 

As we approach Grafton, we could see a change in the river.  The most notable change was homes along the river—nice homes up high on limestone cliffs.

We pulled into Grafton Harbor Marina about eleven o’clock, took on diesel, then pulled into our slip.  Three couples stopped by to       welcome us and exchange boat cards.  They are also waiting for news of the closed lock.  Another couple, from Grafton, had their going away party last weekend, then the next day when there were suppose to leave they got news of Lock 27  being closed for repairs.  So they are still waiting to start the loop.

The marina is relatively new with floating docks, and the   pilings are amazingly tall.  The flood of 1993 was the most devastating in the town’s history reaching a record 38.2 feet. 

After finishing our chores, we joined the group who were  going to the winery for a wine tasting session.  The owner of the winery made two runs to shuttle the group up the hill.  The views from the winery were most impressive.  It was interesting for us to have an aerial view of the river.  The winery itself was a little disappointing since it was really only a wine store, not a local winery.  It was still nice to sample wines and enjoy cheese and crackers before dinner.   The owner took Bob for a ride on a four-wheeler to show him the Zip Line run, which is a series of nine zips ranging from 300’ to 1,500’.  Madeline and Ron seriously considered making arrangements to run the zip in the morning, but then decided against it. 

We never made it to the grocery, even though a courtesy van was available.  We will wait till tomorrow and shop in Alton, thirty miles down river where we plan to rent a car to visit St. Louis.