Happy to catch up with other loopers at Green Turtle Bay in Barkley Lake. We went from the Illinois River to the Cumberland River, and  Barkley Lock, as the Kentucky Lock leading to the Upper Tenessee River was closed for repairs during the time we passed through. Green Turtle was a welcome full-service marina at the end of that part of river excursion. Skipper made friends with Inky, from Looper Boat Panacea.  Caught up with Lynn and Wayne from LeryLynn.

Locking through the infamous Olmstead Lock (just had to follow that tow through and be escorted by a tug).  Kayaking Skipper into the beach and over to visit Lone Star. Locking through Lock 52.  Tons of tonnage, tows and barges on the Illinois and Cumberland Rivers.

When we arrived back at Alton Marina, we were lucky to be reunited with fellow Loopers Kevin and Steve on Lone Star, Pam and Phil on Inspiration and Forrest on Pura Vida, among others.   We then travelled with Lone Star down the rivers to Green Turtle Bay.  On these sections of the rivers, you do need to stop due to the mileage but there are no marinas.  So we were able to find a few places just off the river and out of the way of the tow traffic, to anchor. We had a very nice push from the current while on the Mississippi, and actually pushed 20 knots at one point when we opened it up.  Had a beautiful moonlit nite one night at anchor.  Mists in the mornings. A nice ride all around.

We had to make a sudden trip home and returned to Alton Marina in time to realize that we had to keep moving to make the Fall Rendezvous. We would have had to drive over to see St. Louis, as they do not have any dockage on the river.  Oh well, next time.  Got a few shots of the Arch.

Some years ago, Asian Carp that were apparently caught in the holds and ballast water of ships and then discharged overboard, began to establish themselves in the inland waterways.  They are aggressive when agitated by the sounds and vibrations of boats going by, and fly up into the air, sometimes landing on boats.  The slapping sound they make when hitting the water is similar to jumping dolphins.  Here are some photos and video of them following the boat.

Also began to see stronger currents, as well as some crazy looking birds, including white pelicans. Also saw another Bald Eagle.

We started to see our first barges and a more industrial landscape as we headed down the Ilinois. We also started to encounter our first large commercial locks;  these are different than the NY and Canadian locks.  Instead of cables or lines to tie onto to hold the boat, these have floating bollards that rise and fall along with the water level. Simply loop a line around the bollard, tie one end to the boat at midships and tend the other end.

Chicago was an impressive and welcome sight to see from Lake Michigan.  We stayed at DuSable Marina, right downtown near the Loop, within sight of the Navy Pier.  Took a tour with a great explanation of the architecture, and looked over the many bridges that we would have to pass under to take the Chicago River route out of the city.

Just a quick catch up post.  We have finally caught up with our Looper class of 2016, and have travelled from Lake Michigan, through Chicago, onto the Illinois River, and then down the Mississippi River, onto the Ohio River, then the Cumberland River and onto the Tennesse River.  We attended the Fall Rendezvous, and we are now taking a side trip further up the Tennessee River to Chatanooga.  Glad to see and be travelling with our fellow Loopers.