Rolling Down the River!

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th - WINGDAM ANCHORAGE

Trip Day:	197	Latitude:	37° 11.67 ' N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	60	Longitude:	089°27.45 ' W	Locks Total:	91
Total Miles:	4,031	Location:	Wingdam at Mile Marker 42

While waiting for the fog to life this morning, we watched a flock of wild turkey along the shore.  Temps were in the forties again this morning with strong winds from the south.

 

Katie and Jessie had already shed their jackets by mid morning while we waited for a tug to maneuver. 

 

 

The Mississippi was fairly wide in this area, but in one narrow part of the channel there was more than a 4 kt current propelling us downbound at 11+ mph.

We passed by this man and his dog in a canoe headed south.  Is it possible he is doing the loop?

Since there are no marinas these long days are necessary to find what safe anchorages are available.  We would have loved to stop at the town of  Girardeau, MO, but it was  impossible since there was no marina or dock.

The bridge at Girardeau was a graceful structure with plenty of clearance, even if our mast was  vertical.  

At mile 48 we rounded up and took a look at Little River Diversion Channel as a possible anchorage, but determined there was no way four boats could get in, let alone turn around in the silted in river.  So downbound again we headed toward a wingdam that we had heard was deep enough for several boats. 

Having reached mile 42, KatMan2 served as scout boat to check the depths behind the rock wall.  After he had set his hook, we followed his path then Betty L came in after we were set.  The girls arrived after awhile completing the group.  Dinner was aboard our boat with cards after, but we made it an early night since we had decided to get    underway early tomorrow.  We passed the 4,000 mile mark—amazing!

 

 SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 23rd - WINGDAM ANCHORAGE

Trip Day:	196	Latitude:	37°50.62 ' N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	57	Longitude:	089°43.85'W	Locks Total:	91
Total Miles:	3,971	Location:	Wingdam at Mile Marker 102

Good thing we tossed the sleeping bag over the bed last night since we awakened to 45 degree temperatures this morning.  Autumn has arrived on the Mississippi River! 

 

The low water was very evident this morning.  On both banks there are stone groins called Wingdams which were built to deflect the current toward the center of the river and prevent erosion of the banks.  Tucking behind or in between wingdams is supposed to allow safe anchorages, but most appeared to have shoaled. 

With a three knot current all day today we ran at 9.7 over ground most of the time.  Most of the tugs were pushing barges 4 wide and 6 long.  Watching them line up for bridges and maneuver around bends in the river was most interesting.  Some parts of the channel were skinny  today and several times we noticed channel markers on solid ground.

We passed some of the boats who left Hoppies earlier than us and were anchored at Kaskaskia River.  With no locks today and good current we decided to push further today and take our changes on  anchoring behind a wingdam.   Fern indicated the area was shoaled, but Madeline had talked to a boat ahead of us who assured her there was room for several boats. 

We passed a tug about a half hour before reaching the wingdam with our fingers crossed there would be enough room for four boats.  As we reached the red buoy for our turn, Ron was on the bow and I was at the helm. 

 The current was ripping and as I made my turn behind the rock dam we experienced a whirlpool effect.  I called out depths on the radio to the other boats and we went to the head of the pool and anchored in 16 ft of water. 
 Once completely behind the dam, it was very still and a great anchorage.  As soon as the hook was down, I noticed a bald eagle– a good omen!  We could hear the tugs churning down river, but felt no wake effects.

We took the dinghy ashore and explored before dinner and a Netflix movie.