Date September 21, 2011
Day 84
Departure
Illinois Riverdock Restaurant, Hardin, IL 7
:35 am
Arrival Alton Marina, Alton, IL 12:00 pm
Miles 32.9
Cumulative 1872.3
NOTE: For a larger view of each picture, click once on the picture
Today the alarm had been set for 6:00 am. There was no fog and the temperature was comfortable, even at this hour! We all left the dock by 7:35 and today's journey was underway. Here we are below, as we were all getting ready to cast our lines.
You'll never know what you may see on the rivers. This old riverboat is reminiscent of the boats that used to go up and down the river on a regular basis.
Finally, I was able to get a fairly good shot of a bald eagle. Even at this distance, he appeared majestic with the way the sun was lighting his white head and tail.
The sign on the front of this cottage read "Love Shack". There was also a for sale sign on the cottage. I guess the love is gone now!
This is the "State of Illinois Brussels Ferry Crossing"
The confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. We have made it to the Mississippi River!
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| Mississippi River on the left, Illinois River on the right |
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These limestone cliffs have been carved over hundreds of years by the wind
Native Americans painted a giant mythical creature purportedly to frighten away European invaders. Native American children told stories about the dragon-like creature that could carry away a buck in its talons. But the terrible Piasa Bird didn't deter explorers Father Marquette and Louis Joliet. They saw the bird on the river bluff and proceded on.
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| The Piasa Bird. Enlarge the picture to see it's head and antlers more clearly. |
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We have seen a number of floating casinos along the river. This one is in Alton, Il.
This is the New Clark Highway Bridge. The Alton Marina will be today's destination. It is on the left immediately after going under the bridge.
Below is the view of the bridge at night from our boat's flybridge.
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