Anchoring Out On the Illinois River

Monday, September 23, 2012

Anchoring out... Not every night will be spent in a marina, due to choice or necessity. Some days the miles between marinas will require us to anchor out. This will be another first for us. Sure, we have anchored out for the day at a beach or in a lake while the kids swam. Never overnight. After some dock discussions, Limelight and Great Laker agreed it would be a good idea to make this a group effort. We decided on Bar Island at mm 85.7 LDB. Limelight motored ahead and scoped out the area behind and end chose the larger island, Grape Towhead. We pulled in with Great Laker and opted to stay behind Bar Island, the next island down river. Later in the day another boat, Sea Biscuit pulled in with us. The evening was peaceful and we all enjoyed the sun as it was setting.

Tuesday, September 24, 2012

Then next morning there was intermittent fog. The four boats pulled out cautiously, monitoring each other and other river traffic. LaGrange Lock & Dam was about 5 miles down stream, only a 10 foot drop at this site. As we approached, two sailboats overheard our radio transmissions and feared we would not see them in the fog as they waited for the lock. By the time we locked through, the fog had lifted.

Fog Delay?



LaGrange Lock


We motored on, enjoying the scenery and the homes on stilts along the Illinois.

 

We went as far as the Illinois Riverdock Restaurant (Mel's) at 20.9 RDB. The 250 ft. floating dock was large enough for the 4 power boats plus the 2 sailboats we saw earlier that morning. Mel's is famous for their brisket. It was tender and plentiful enough for another meal! When we returned to the dock the sailboaters had arrived and invited us aboard. It turns out they were the ones ahead of us that rainy night on the wall in Joliet. Mark and Jo aboard Truant  (from Onterio) and Donna and Jeff on Whish (Menominee, MI). It was a night of comic relief!

Mel's Riverdock