Mike and Patty's Great Loop Adventure 2018-2019

Heritage Harbor Marina in Ottawa, IL to Illinois Valley Yacht Club in Peoria Heights, IL

Day #70: SEPTEMBER 11TH! WE WILL NEVER FORGET!! Up at 5:00 A.M. clear and 58 degrees. There was a fog advisory on my phone when we got up but it was clear outside. At about 6:15 A.M. the fog rolled in. We talked to "Let's Go" and "Baytripper" both are in agreement that we should sit tight for a bit letting the fog dissipate. Mike and I ate the rest of our Kringle with coffee for breakfast. Mike did a few small boat jobs and I read my book. At 9:00 A.M. Mike called Starved Rock Lock and Dam. The lockmaster told Mike that we needed to "beat feet" and come on down. At 9:10 A.M. we were underway with "Baytripper" and "Let's Go". Right as we got out into the river we were greeted by a juvenile eagle, "Let's Go" commented on the radio that this was a great sign on this September 11th. At 10:30 A.M. we were secured in the lock with "Senator Stenis". At 10:50 A.M. we cleared Starved Rock Lock we dropped 18.5 feet (Lock #6). At 1:40 P.M. we passed from behind the "Derick E", Mike hailed him 3 times with no response, the tug didn't respond but did slow down for all of our caravan to pass. The scenery today has been beautiful. We saw approximately 25 eagles both juvenile and adult and hundreds of white pelicans. We really had a beautiful day on the river, sunny and warm. We tied up at Illinois Valley Yacht Club at 5:15 P.M. At 6:00 P.M. we had docktails with Bruce and Bev from "Baytripper". Mike and I were in bed at 8:30 P.M. sleeping by 8:45 P.M. We traveled 74.2 miles (total trip 790 miles).

Heritage Harbor fog.

"Parrot Bay" in the fog.

What a great symbol for today being September 11th.

"American Queen" in Ottawa.

Yes, that is what it looks like from the flying bridge.

Sheehan Island beautiful sandstone bluff. This could have been a place for us to anchor to wait for the lock.

This is what I look like waiting to get into the lock. I have my lifejacket and gloves on ready to go.

Starved Rock derives it's name from a Native American legend in the 1760's . Chief Pontiac of the Ottawa tribe was attending a tribal council meeting. At this council of the Illinois and the Pottawatomie, an Illinois-Peoria brave stabbed Chief Pontiac. Vengeance arose in Pontiac's followers. A great battle started. The Illinois, fearing death, took refuge on the great rock. After many days the remaining Illinois died of starvation giving this historic park its name-Starved Rock.

Picture taken by Bev from "Baytripper" as "Senator Stenis" the tug, "Parrot Bay and "Let's Go" enter the Starved Rock Lock.

Illinois Central Railroad Bridge.

Another sign for September 11th.

Hundreds of white pelicans flying overhead.

Caught a few white pelicans flying overhead.

Old Henry Lock that we could have tied up to if needed. There were a few boats that stayed here they said that it wasn't to bad. We had been told to make sure that we "fender up" as you are tie up to a wall with rebar hoops to attach lines too.