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Trip Day:
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182
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Latitude:
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41°20.74'
N
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Locks Today:
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2
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Miles Today:
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28
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Longitude:
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088°28.64' W
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Locks Total:
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85
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Total Miles:
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3,595
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Location:
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Sugar Island, IL
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The day started off with a call to Brandon Road lock to tell them four of us were leaving Joliet town dock and ask what their schedule was. The lockmaster said there was a tug/barge downbound and we could lock thru with him if we could get there (2 miles away) before him. No problem, except we then heard the bridge behind us starting to open ——for the tug!!! 
Amazing how fast one can get underway when motivated. We had to wait about 30 minutes for the tug pushing 6 barges to enter the lock and tie up on the port wall, then all
of us tied to starboard for the 40 ft decent. Most of the Des Plaines River was industrial plants plus Mobile and Exxon Oil Refineries. As we rounded a bend in the river we came face-to-face with this tug pushing 14 barges as we passed each other. It was a little nerve racking, but as he got closer it was easy to see we had plenty of room.
By the time we reached the Illinois River we could feel a difference. There were more pleasure craft and one section had multiple duck blinds with decoys floating. It did concern us a little once we realized there were men in camouflage inside the blinds with rifles.
Ducking behind Sugar Island we anchored in nine foot of water in a little creek with just enough room to swing on the anchor. We took advantage of the peaceful setting to relax and read before Madeline and Bob came over for dinner. After dark all we could hear were the crickets and the dark sky was overflowing with stars. What a difference from the sights and sounds of the big city we just left!
No hot spot on the phone, so this will be a delayed post.
A big shout out to Maren who did well in her gymnastics meet at University of Tampa!
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