Trip Day:
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195
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Latitude:
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38°21.51 '
N
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Locks Today:
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2
|
Miles Today:
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44
|
Longitude:
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090°21.58'W
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Locks Total:
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91
|
Total Miles:
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3,914
|
Location:
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Kimmswick, MO
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||
We had a good view of the Alton Bridge and the Argosy Casino as we left the Alton Marina and headed downstream for the Mel Price Lock.
As we pulled into the lock we had strong following winds and whitecaps making it more difficult to maneuver and tie on to the floating bollard. One large trawler behind us had a great deal of difficulty, even with his side thrusters, and it took multiple tries before his crew had a line secured. Finally the back gates closed and we were protected from the wind and ready for a smooth descent. About four feet down, we realized we were coming back up. A boat had called the lock and the tender decided to open the lock for him. Then another boat called, and we waited a good 20 minutes before we began the descend again.
Before long, we came to the convergence of the Missouri River—Lewis and Clark’s beginning point. The St. Louis skyline began to emerge—a different view from the water than on land. The old bridges were charming, but the low water level was quite evident.
Another 15 miles we entered a canal which led us to the Chain of Rocks Lock, the one that just reopened after repairs. Both chambers of the lock were in use with one big cruising boat waiting.
We watched for twenty minutes as a tug tried to get his barges in the lock and secured. With four boats in line, we mistakenly assumed the tender would take our group next; but then another tug came down and we waited again. Thirty more minutes passed and KatMan2 arrived along with two other boats. We now had seven boats trying to hold position with strong winds and current pushing us down on the lock, not to mention the prop wash from the tugs. It was a full two hours before the tender cued up for the pleasure craft to enter the lock. We set for a port tie, but when we got to the bollard, the tended told us it was broken and to go to the other side. I shifted a couple fenders and went past another broken bollard to the very front. The smallest sailboat rafted off The Betty L and the largest cruiser free floated in the middle of the lock. aiting two hours.
I have passed tugs pushing 15 barges before, but I always made Ron talk to the captains on the VHF. But today, I put my big girl panties on and called the tugs myself announcing my intent to pass and asking if I should overtake on the one or the two. Passing is a relative term for us because we are only a little faster so it takes some distance for us to clear. With the three knot current, however, I hit 10 mph on one pass—whoopee! We passed convoys of barges underway and couldn’t believe how many rigs were pushed up against the shore. It was one very busy day and one of our most challenging as far as boat handling.
Today’s destination was the infamous Hoppie’s Marine near Kimmswick, MO. Hoppie’s is simply a group of barges rafted together and tied to shore with cables. Fern is the owner—she and her husband took it over from her father, and now her daughter helps. It has been in operation 67 years and it is the last place to buy diesel for 107 miles, or gasoline for 228 miles. We rafted off the Betty L, making more “dock” space for other boats.
Everyone stepped up to take lines as the two mid-twenties girls came into the dock. Bob invited the girls over for happy hour and they were happy to join our group. They haven’t yet decided if they will go to Florida or Texas after they reach the Gulf of Mexico.
After KatMan2 arrived, Fern held her nightly briefing. Fern knows the Mississippi, it’s locks, marinas and anchorages. She let us know that some of the favorite anchorages are silted in, gave us a heads-up on what to expect downstream, and the problems we would face due to low water. She also cautioned us to anchor very carefully because break-away barges can be dangerous.
We were tired after a long, challenging day on this first day of Autumn.
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