BEARDSTOWN, IL
FRIDAY
MILES TRAVELED TODAY: KM 65
HAPPY BIG 50 BIRTHDAY MICHAEL WRAGA!!!!!!
Up bright and early for the report from the September Song’s (Hatteras cousin boat) call to the Peoria Lock and Dam. Both pleasure crafts (which we are now being called) were instructed to be at the lock by 8:30 to be worked in. Here we go!
FOLLOWING SEPTEMBER SONG OUT OF PEORIA
1981 56' HATTERAS
GULLS HOT ON OUR TAIL
After anchoring in anticipation for almost 3 hours and gathering two more “Loopers”, Ocean Breeze (Paula and Todd from Leland) and Squivot, we made the drop and were finally on our way. We have learned that this is to be expected when traveling with the “big boys”. The tugs with their laden barges, carrying out the river commerce, must always take precedence. However, we four pleasure crafts experienced blatant rudeness from particular lock master. We are always grateful for all the directions and encouragement from the usually helpful lock masters. This guy was definitely (and thankfully) the exception but it still left a sour taste in our minds.
PAULA AND TODD'S OCEAN BREEZE
The water is so low with some of the docks high and dry and the water depth extremely critical. Nothing is slowing down those bloody Asian Carp though. These pests actually leap onto low docks and are decimating the fishing industry. We passed a dredge barge and watched as the silt and sludge was piped to shore and pumped out onto the levee.
DREDGING UP
PUMPING OUT
Our wildlife sightings today were rather mundane compared to yesterday’s treasures. Gulls, herons and a few buzzards thrown in for show.
September Song developed a hydraulic oil leak in their stabilizer system and we dropped our speed down to continue following them into the Beardstown (MM 188.5). Our home for the night ended up being a cozy tie-up to one of the Logsdon Tug Service. We gratefully took this odd-ball accommodation and accepted the dinner invitation from September Song for dinner on their boat.
SEPTEMBER SONG TYING UP TO TUG
OUR SMALLER TUG, CLYDE, AWAITS US
September Song’s owner Mac Moore, and his three buddies; Tom, John and Mike, were entertaining hosts. Thanks to Mac’s wife who had provided them with a large and delicious lasagna that they graciously shared with us. Oh, and did I mention the freshly baked, chocolate-chip cookies for dessert? Yum!
MAC, MIKE, TOM AND JOHN STANDING
We spent a calm and peaceful night tied up to the tug Clyde. Several times a tug with its charge of barges would quietly slip past us.
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