Alton, IL to Kimmswick, MO

Date             September 22, 2011

Day               85

Departure      Alton Marina, Alton, IL 7:15 am

Arrival           Hoppies Marina, Kimmswick, MO 12:00 pm    

Miles                44.4      

Cumulative   1916.7

Six boats, including us, left Alton and headed to the Mel Price Lock and Dam less than a mile down river.  The lock was open and ready for us to enter so there was no waiting this time!  Along the way, this sign directed us to enter the Chain of Rocks Canal.

This canal takes you around the main part of the river, as there are rapids via that route.  Next came another lock, again, no waiting here!
The next big city we went by was St. Louis. Unfortunately, St. Louis does not have any marinas in the city and there is no where to stop that is close by.  Thanks to Jill on Last Dance, we have a picture of us as we passed by the Arch in St. Louis!

Our stop for today is Hoppies Marina.  It's not really a "marina" but a series of barges tied into a high stone cliff with cables.  We are right in the center of the photo below.  This is the only place to get fuel for the next 107 miles and the only marina for the next 228 miles.

Every afternoon, Fern  (in the blue jacket) holds a captain's meeting and gives invaluable information regarding the river and places to anchor and not to anchor.  Usually the meeting is held out on the barge dock, but due to the cool, rainy weather, it was held inside.

Tonight's sunset

Tomorrow we continue down the Mississippi and hope to stop at the Kaskaskia Lock, which is a free dock.