Day #73: Up at 5:00 A.M. getting ready for departure from Tall Timbers in Havana. At 6:30 A.M. Mike called the LaGrange Lock and he was told that the wickets were still down but they were contemplating putting up the wickets today. We were underway at 6:40 A.M. with "Baytripper" heading for an anchorage above Grafton. At 7:30 A.M. we had light fog. "Bucket List" had left just before we did from Tall Timbers so we were behind them. At 9:50 A.M. we passed Beardstown and Logston Tug Service. Some boaters stop at Logston's Tug Service staying the night which is $1.00 at foot and usually you can get a tour of a working tug. The issue with Logston's is that you may be told in the middle of the night that you need to move your boat if they need to get a tug out (I really didn't want to be moving our boat in the middle of the night so we skipped Logston's). At 10:40 A.M. we were at the LaGrange Lock and Dam and the wickets remained down so we were able to pass over the wickets versus locking through the lock (Lock #8). Wicket Dams consist of movable planks that are only raised when needed. At high water levels when the dam is not needed boats are able run right over the lowered dam. We were all so happy that the wickets were down we were able to just pass over the dam as we didn't have the delay at the lock. At 2:30 P.M. were secure with "Baytripper at the Upper Buckhorn anchorage we rafted off. Mike put both of our refrigerators that are on the well deck on propane bottles. We saw a total of 32 eagles today. We traveled 74.5 miles today (912 miles total for the trip). Bruce and Bev's steps that they use on the dock went into the water. Bruce got in his dinghy going to get the steps but he only had a small motor and the current was very strong. Mike got in our dinghy going to find Bruce as he hadn't returned in 10 minutes. Bruce was able to save the steps and Mike towed Bruce back to the boats. We had happy hour on "Baytripper" but their generator wasn't working so we used fans to cool down. It was sunny and 90 degrees. Mike and I both finished books before bed. It was very hot on the boat until the sun went down. The bugs were brutal. We had a beautiful anchorage for the evening.
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Beautiful sunrise. 32 Eagles sited today.  |
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| Logston's Tug Service |
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| We were trying to pass this tow but we didn't get around it quick enough. He told us to wait while he turned around taking up the whole river. "Bucket List" waiting to pass behind the "Creve Coeur". |
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| This is what it looks like when a large tow is coming at you. This is the "Leon Johnson". |
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| "Bucket List" heading towards the LaGrange Lock. |
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| "Bucket List" crossing over the wickets. |
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Meredosia Bridge this is a brand new bridge.
Havana, IL (Tall Timbers Marina) to Upper Buckhorn Anchorage.
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| The water is up we have been dodging very large logs in the river. |
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| Mike helping Bruce bringing the steps back to the boats. |
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| "Baytripper" and "Parrot Bay" anchored in Upper Buckhorn Anchorage. |
