Day 97 September 25, 2022

 Day 97 Sunday September 25, 2022

Big Blue Island Anchorage to Alton, Illinois

We were up early, planning to leave as soon as we are able to see (no fog today!).  Anchor up and off we go at 6:40am.  "We have a long way to travel.  Luckily we will have a push from the current so we're hoping to make good time -- and no locks or lock masters to worry about.

 Boat turned cottage on the river.

Our travel took us down the Illinois River where it converges with the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers.  Because of drainage from Montana the Missouri River can actually dump more water into the Illinois than the Mississippi.  We have traveled the Illinois River between Illinois and Missouri.

 

Convergence of the rivers -- the Mississippi River is so much cleaner than the muddy Illinois.  The Mississippi is also much wider and deeper. 

Shoreline is now lined with bluffs.

We are headed to Alton, Illinois 16 miles past Grafton, Illinois.  Both towns are popular with Loopers.  Great marinas, welcoming towns, convenient to town. 

 Grafton Marina

Alton Marina is a 5 star rated facility with 350 slips, a pool, 2 hot tubs, convenience store (deli with breakfast/lunch, ice cream and margaritas), laundry, and fuel.  Currently there are 21 Loopers here.  Super friendly staff; very clean and professionally run.

Landmark suspension bridge near Alton Marina entrance. 

All of the buildings in the marina are actually on floating docks, even the pool!!

Most boat slips at Alton Marina are covered.  Great way to protect your boat from the sun.  Boat slips have dock on both sides -- you can wash both sides of your boat without having to move it!  

We had a little excitement pulling into our slip.  Our boat has a 14 foot beam and the slip is 16 feet wide.  With our fenders hanging down on both sides we approached the slip, Jerry maneuvered the boat and we got stuck on our ball fenders pulling in!  We had to pull up the ball fenders on both sides of the bow and then we could pull all the way in.  Don from Beyond, Tim from Table 6 and fellow boaters were on both sides of the dock handling our lines and guiding us in.  Once in we could lower the ball fenders -- we were cozy in our slip.  

Don and Rachel invited us to join them for dinner at Bluff City Grill.  Fun time with 2nd Chance, The Grand Wazoo, Beyond and us.