Day 102 Friday, September 30, 2022
Alton Marina to Hoppies, Kimmswick Missouri
We left Alton after a 6:30am call to the Mel Price Lock. We were the spokesman for the group to ask when we should head for the lock. Only a short distance from the lock we arrived at 07:30. Our group of 8 boats waited outside while we waited for the tow Charles Southern to go into the lock. The tow had given the lock master permission to let us lock through with him. It was really perfect timing and the tow let us pass him once we were out at 8:40am. We met 2 more north bound tows, the Randy Anderson (6 barges) and CW Fraser (15 barges), and a south bound tow with hazardous cargo behind us.
The Charles Southern
Eric's Inheritance inside Mel Price Lock behind the Charles Southern
Our next lock was the Chain of Rocks Canal Lock. Boaters must pay attention to their charts. At The Chain of Rocks it's VERY important to take the left hand channel even though the right side looks like it should work too. A sailboat met a very unfortunate ending last year when it took the wrong one. If you want to see its fate go to https://youtu.be/jcw1gj8JZNc
Entering the Chain of Rocks Lock.
Our travels brought us by the St. Louis Arch. Buddy boats take turns taking pictures of each other in front of the arch.
Grand Wazoo and Arion
We traveled on to the infamous Hoppies. Hoppies is the first and only fuel stop available between Alton and Paducah Kentucky. Hoppies consists of 2 barges tied together - one for fuel and the other as dock space. The barges are rusty and derelict but a welcome sight when you need fuel. Fuel was a bargain at $5/gallon for diesel.
One boat at Hoppie's fuel barge.
Our fleet tied at Hoppie's.
The water level is so low that the building is no longer floating!
The Blue Owl Restaurant is another draw to Kimmswick.
The restaurant is known for its levee high apple pie covered with caramel and pecans. They serve breakfast and lunch in addition to a variety of their well known deserts. We were finally fueled and tied at the dock by 2pm -- we had to hurry our walk to town because the restaurant closes at 3pm. Have no fear, we made it! The Blue Owl Restaurant started as "From the Kitchen of Mary" with baked goods sold from Mary's home and at craft fairs and festivals. It has grown from their to a free standing restaurant and bakery that serves over 300 customers a day. They have been featured on The Food Network, The Travel Channel, The Oprah Show, The Today Show and many magazines.
Famous levee high apple pie.
Lunch was so good and filling, we left with leftovers.
Hoppies offers a daily briefing covering the state of the river, water depths and anchorages. After that we discussed travel the next day and enjoyed the "atmosphere"!
1 comment:
Oh you have made me jealous. Those desserts look yummy.
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