Alton IL to Hoppies Marina

    

The arch

Today was the like taking your first drivers -ed course by driving the Chicago freeways to O’Hare airport.  We left Alton IL, a charming town and a beautiful marina and made good time through two early locks.  These were the fastest locks we have been in and created turbulent water for the downward ride.

Barges everywhere

Soon we were in traffic, barges by the hundred.  Tow boats pushed 12 or 20 or 35 giant barges in front of them, and sometimes we met them coming and going.  As a group of four small boats traveling together we were able to organize ourselves and pass them with a minimum of terror.  The choices are passing “on the one whistle” or on the “two whistle”.  It’s all done by radio communication with the barge captain.

Consider ……. “This is Mckeljfnakfja kalkaaiia tow downbound, plezzzurecraft you kin pass me ona two whistle”.    ????????????   

Barges, construction barges & cranes

Now say that with radio static, a couple of engines in the background, a bridge overhead with trucks – and in a southern drawl.     Oh, and by the way, the water is churning from every direction because the Missouri River just joined the Mississippi.  Just another fun and relaxing day.   We came past the St. Louis Arch about mid-day and got a moment of tourism in the midst of the mayhem.

Hoppies Marina

We arrived at Hoppies Marina, a legend of a place made of 4 sunken barges and operated since 1934 by one family.  Fern Hoppie is the matriarch and holds a briefing each afternoon where we learned some Civil War history, some family history and a lot about what to expect going downstream.   Just up the hill is the tiny town of Kimmswick, Missouri.  We went to the Blue Owl for lunch- awesome good – and then spent a little time wandering in the charming little shops. 

Blue Owl Restuarant, serves 300 people on a week day only open for lunch

We are learning to collect every drop of information passed along by the Loopers just ahead of us on the route so that we can make wise decisions for the days to come.