Now the Adventure Really Begin

Monday, September 17, 2012

Irish Attitude pulled out of Chicago and headed 11 miles south on Lake Michigan to the Cal(umet)-Sac Channel.  Now things were going to get interesting.... We would no longer be catching a glimpse of our 'neighboring' cruisers 5 miles off in the distance. Ahead are river traffic, currents, locks... the unknown. Mike and I have been boating for 30 plus years, experiencing rivers, locks, etc. All thought the concept was not new.... this is where I became nervous. (Much to Mike's bewilderment.) We entered the Cal-Sac at mile marker 333.5. Yes, the river systems are like highways and mile markers are posted and referred to often. Along with RDB and LDB, short for right descending bank and left descending bank. A term used to communicate what side of the river you are referencing. Such as, the maria is at mile marker 326.0 LDB. This first part of the river is filled with industry. Local governments create eye-pleasing aerating 'waterfalls' to improve the water quality.

 

 



The first lock was the Thomas J. O'Brien at 326.5. The drop was only 4 in. not the expected 4 ft.  The lock master told us we did not need to tie up, just float through. Okay.... that one was a piece of cake. Lockport Lock was a 39 foot drop. Mike controls the boat and I handle the lines. I looped a line around the floating bollard and it lowers with the water level just as our boat does. This was different but I found it easy work with. Two locks down and about 145 to go.



Fancy Houseboats on the Des Plaines River

The sky looked threatening as we arrived in Joliet. Our first night on the river we tied up to the wall behind two sailboats. Joliet (mile marker 288.0) looked like a great town with restaurants and even a casino within walking distance but the rains came down hard. We enjoyed tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches aboard. Our stressful day was followed by a restful night.

Duck (or Goose) Blinds

Tuesday, September 18, 2012

Today we conquered 2 more locks, Brandon - 34 ft. and Dresden Island - 22 ft. We spent the night in Spring Brook Marina (near Seneca) and saw our first Asian Carp. There had been much discussion about this predatory species affect on the Great Lakes. 



As Mike concentrated on docking the boat I was startled by fish jumping out of the water like they were popcorn. Mike was up in the bridge and I was on deck with the lines. They jumped to fast for me to get their picture.  Still no other loopers in site!

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

We moved on the next morning but only down river about 10 miles to Heritage Harbor in Ottawa.  On the way we locked through Marseilles Lock, a 24 ft. drop.  At Heritage Harbor we finally sited some AGLCA burgees and we new we were not alone! We were reunited with Idle Time (we had met in South Haven) along with 2 new boats.  Anne and Larry from Spring Lake were aboard Great Laker, an American Tug. Mike and I had seen this boat while in Spring Lake a few weeks back. The people at Barrett's said she would be starting the loop soon. Another couple, Anita and Don on Limelight had started their adventure about a week ago from Wisconsin. We hit it off right away! Aaah, it is nice to have caught up with some other loopers! Mike and I borrowed the courtesy car to pick up a new house battery since our refrigerator did not seem to be running as we traveled. We spent an extra day at Heritage Harbor since the next lock was closed for repair.  We took the dinghy into Ottawa for lunch and supplies. We buzzed by Limelight on our return and spent the evening getting to know Anita and Don better. We decided to hang together through the 250 miles between Hoppie's and Grafton where there is no place to fuel up! (Hard to believe, isn't it?) This has been the concern of many loopers. By the end of the night, we had a plan.....