On to Peoria

We left Heritage Harbor at 7:15, and as I was on the back steps taking off the lines, I heard a big fish splash. Since we came through the Asian Carp electric barrier, we have been looking for them jumping in the river. Some people we met even have had them land in their dinghies. I just don't want to be on the lower deck when they jump. I want to be on the flybridge, a distance they can't reach. They make a bloody mess when they land on your deck...and can weigh up to 100 pounds, not something that I want to land on me!!! Anyway, we have not seen any in mid-air...so are a bit disappointed. Maybe tomorrow!

We only had one lock to go through today, Starved Rock Lock. We were locked through between the two halves of a tow pushing 10 barges. They brought up the first four barges while the tow stayed behind with the remaining ones. When they were locked up, cables were attached that pulled them forward. After waiting 45 minutes, we entered the lock chamber to go down. As we left, we had to go way over to the port to pass the remaining 6 barges and tow, which were then going to enter the lock and be lifted up and eventually reattached to the first half.

The Illinois River is very wide and rural. At Starved Rock limestone cliffs appeared for a short distance.  The channel is well-marked with buoys.

We were told to tie up to this "cell" until it was time to enter the lock. In the background is the first part of the load being pushed by the tow.

Here we are in the lock, ready to be dropped 17 feet. Ahead of us you can see the second half of the barges, with the tow at the rear. The lock isn't long enough to handle the entire payload!

We had to go over to the left to pass the rest of the barges as we exited the lock.

We traveled about 75 miles today, passed lots of barges, but only saw two pleasure boats...Betty L. and Latitude Adjustment, whom we had been with in Chicago. They were not going as far today as we were. We pulled into Illinois Valley Yacht Club at 1:15 and met Loopers K.C. and Scott on Jet Stream. I did laundry before the rain came at 4:30. We had supper together...$1.50 tacos that were delicious! We were disappointed that their 4-star restaurant was closed on Thurs.! As we were eating, Our Bubble pulled in!!! They left a little after we did this morning, but had a two hour wait at the lock! We averaged 16 mph today, with the wind and waves behind us for a change. It has been raining fairly hard since 6pm and hopefully it will help a little with the very low water in the rivers. Many marinas are telling boats with more than 4 ft. draft not to enter! We are lucky that we draw only 2.5 ft. Tomorrow all three of us, Snow Cat, Jet Stream, and Our Bubble hope to leave around 8am and travel the first 10 miles together to the only lock for tomorrow....Peoria Lock, and go down together. Then we will have just 38 miles to our next stop, Tall Timbers Marina...the last marina before the end of the Illinois River, 120 miles downstream!