Sunday, September 1, 2013
A late departure and we followed Spiritus all the way to Grand Haven, Michigan. This place is amazing. The closer we got, the more boats we saw. By the time we got to the harbor entrance, I had all that I could do to get into the marina without hitting anyone. There were boats everywhere, and a gajillion people on the beach and on the harbor walk. Spiritus was already here, and we decided to walk the town and see the sights. When we got back who should be tied up next to us but Journey (Rick and Margi Decatur). The great part of this trip is always running into the same people.
A late departure and we followed Spiritus all the way to Grand Haven, Michigan. This place is amazing. The closer we got, the more boats we saw. By the time we got to the harbor entrance, I had all that I could do to get into the marina without hitting anyone. There were boats everywhere, and a gajillion people on the beach and on the harbor walk. Spiritus was already here, and we decided to walk the town and see the sights. When we got back who should be tied up next to us but Journey (Rick and Margi Decatur). The great part of this trip is always running into the same people.
Entering the Harbor at Grand Haven, Michigan
Traffic Jam Leaving Grand Haven Harbor
Sunday night, and right across the river from the marina they put on what was once the largest computerized water fountain put to lights and music. What a great show.
Light Show at Grand Haven
Week Twenty-Three, September 2, 2013
Monday, September 2, 2013 (Labor Day)
So, here we sit. Another small craft warning day. Four to six foot waves, lots of wind. Hopefully we can get out tomorrow. Target is to reach Chicago (160 miles) by Saturday the seventh. We walked to the West Marine and several other stores this morning, about a two mile round trip. I guess we will see another light show tonight, the last of the summer season. From now on, things should be a little less crowded. Let's hope the weather improves tomorrow.
So, here we sit. Another small craft warning day. Four to six foot waves, lots of wind. Hopefully we can get out tomorrow. Target is to reach Chicago (160 miles) by Saturday the seventh. We walked to the West Marine and several other stores this morning, about a two mile round trip. I guess we will see another light show tonight, the last of the summer season. From now on, things should be a little less crowded. Let's hope the weather improves tomorrow.
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Had a good day to travel, so off we were at 8:30 am, heading to South Haven, a 48 mile run down the coast. Traveling with Spiritus, Journey and Down Time (Captain Carl and Admiral Dottie). When we arrived at South Haven, at 1:30 pm, the dock master tried to put us in a slip that was about six inches bigger that Pazza Bella. Well, I got her in, but after a good look, we decided to move her across the river to a different part of the marina. For some reason, they wanted to put all four of us in these tiny slips. After we got out of our slip, they put all four of us on a long dock that had a great boaters lounge, and easy access to the city. After tying up, we headed up the hill for lunch at a place called Clementine's. Well that was a charge for me. My aunt's first name is Clementine, so I bought her a tee shirt with the name and logo on it. Hope she likes it.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Another weather day. The weather wasn't all that bad, but they were calling for four to five foot waves that would have been on our beam. A very uncomfortable ride, and not too good for the boat, either.
Now that we were in port for a day, I took a good look at Down Time. She turned out to be a 1988 Marine Trader Tradewinds just like ours only a year newer. She is 46 feet long, which they accomplished by adding a 3 foot cockpit on the back. So, basically, the same boat. Carl had some really neat additions put on, so I got some great ideas for making the boat a little tighter, weather wise.
Now that we were in port for a day, I took a good look at Down Time. She turned out to be a 1988 Marine Trader Tradewinds just like ours only a year newer. She is 46 feet long, which they accomplished by adding a 3 foot cockpit on the back. So, basically, the same boat. Carl had some really neat additions put on, so I got some great ideas for making the boat a little tighter, weather wise.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Good weather day today sees us off at 8:45 am for a short 24 mile trip down Lake Michigan to Benton-St. Joseph twin cities, arriving at 11:25 sm.
Sculpture on Pier Leaving South Haven
Benton Harbor has what is advertised as the largest marine supply store in the Midwest, Wolf Marine. I got on their website, and they were advertising a sale on 21" diameter TaylorMade round fenders, at a forty percent discount. Well, we had been looking for some for a while. TaylorMade is unconditionally guaranteed. If it breaks, they will replace it at any distributor, no charge. So, off to Wolf, with Rick from Journey. What a store. They buy up marine supply stores that are going out of business and then sell the product at a huge discount. They were also good enough to pick us up at the marina and bring us back.
The marina is situated a good distance from town, so all of us decided to make do where we were, We ordered in Pizza for lunch, and then in the evening, we watched Thursday Night Football in the boaters lounge, with everybody bringing a snack to share. What a great time. Everybody watched the first half, and then went back to their boats, convinced that the Broncos were done. Imagine our surprise (they were all Ravens fans) when we got the final score in the morning.
The marina is situated a good distance from town, so all of us decided to make do where we were, We ordered in Pizza for lunch, and then in the evening, we watched Thursday Night Football in the boaters lounge, with everybody bringing a snack to share. What a great time. Everybody watched the first half, and then went back to their boats, convinced that the Broncos were done. Imagine our surprise (they were all Ravens fans) when we got the final score in the morning.
Friday, September 6, 2013
So, after the good natured banter about the game, we all left for Michigan City, Indiana, at 8:15 am. The Michigan City marina is a really nice facility located fairly close to town. On arrival at 12:30 pm, after a 35 mile run, we all got together and headed to Matey's for lunch. The ladies had decided to go to the local outlet mall after lunch to see what it was like. They reported back that you could have fired a cannon in the place and not hit anybody. This was a pretty big mall, but Michigan City seems to be another one of those places that has lost a lot of jobs and industries, and there is just not much going on. Really too bad as it is a pretty little town. The circle right outside the marina has a monument to all of Michigan's war dead, from every war ever fought. Beautiful.
We were going to gather for supper at Matey's, but after a late lunch no one had an appetite. Hard to believe with this bunch. Especially when we found out they had an all-you-can-eat dinner buffet featuring King Crab, Oysters, Clams etc.
We were going to gather for supper at Matey's, but after a late lunch no one had an appetite. Hard to believe with this bunch. Especially when we found out they had an all-you-can-eat dinner buffet featuring King Crab, Oysters, Clams etc.
Saturday, September 7, 2013
OK. So, finally, off to Chicago!!
We left Michigan city with all four boats at 7:45 am. Pazza Bella and Spiritus are heading to Chicago, and Journey and Down Time are heading to Hammond Marina in Hammond Indiana, about 15 miles south of Chicago. We started out on a heading that would take us all to Hammond, where Spitius and us would turn and follow the coast up to Chicago, hoping this would protect us from the beam seas that were predicted. Well, as is so often the case, the predictions were way off, so about halfway there, we cut off on a direct course to Chicago and had a pretty good ride all the way in. We arrived at DuSable marina, at the mouth of the Chicago Marina, at about 12:30 pm, after a 41 mile run across lower Lake Michigan. Wow, what a view!!!
We left Michigan city with all four boats at 7:45 am. Pazza Bella and Spiritus are heading to Chicago, and Journey and Down Time are heading to Hammond Marina in Hammond Indiana, about 15 miles south of Chicago. We started out on a heading that would take us all to Hammond, where Spitius and us would turn and follow the coast up to Chicago, hoping this would protect us from the beam seas that were predicted. Well, as is so often the case, the predictions were way off, so about halfway there, we cut off on a direct course to Chicago and had a pretty good ride all the way in. We arrived at DuSable marina, at the mouth of the Chicago Marina, at about 12:30 pm, after a 41 mile run across lower Lake Michigan. Wow, what a view!!!
Chicago Skyline From Five Miles Off Shore
Chicago Skyline From Half Mile Offshore
We had booked into DuSable for three nights, and could not wait to start seeing the sights. When we got to the marina, we found to our delight that Jeff and Grace from SeaGlide had already arrived and were on the same dock. How fun!! Spiritus had also found some friends they had traveled with, and we gathered for late lunch at a Mexican restaurant close by. After lunch, we did a little provisioning (out of wine!!), and returned to the boat to rest up for Sunday.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Sunday was a great day to walk around Chicago. We took a tour of Millennium Park, which was about a mile walk from the boat, and returned via the River Walk.
Fun Statues at Millennium Park
Capt. Mike and Prospective New Crew Members
Admiral Veronica with Her New Yeomen
After walking all around the park, we found Chicago's famous "The Bean", aka "Cloud Gate"
Cloud Gate, a public sculpture by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor, is the centerpiece of the AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park within the Loop community
area of Chicago, Illinois, United States. The sculpture and AT&T Plaza are located on top of Park Grill, between the Chase Promenade and McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink. Constructed between 2004 and 2006, the sculpture is nicknamed "The Bean" because of its bean-like shape. Made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together, its highly polished exterior has no visible seams. It is 33 by 66 by 42 feet, and weighs 100 tons.
Said to have been inspired by liquid mercury, the sculpture's surface reflects and distorts the city's skyline. Visitors are able to walk around and under Cloud Gate's 12-foot high arch. On the underside is the "omphalos" (Greek for "navel"), a concave chamber that warps and multiplies reflections. The sculpture builds upon many of Kapoor's artistic themes, and is popular with tourists as a photo-taking opportunity for its unique reflective properties.
Cloud Gate, a public sculpture by Indian-born British artist Anish Kapoor, is the centerpiece of the AT&T Plaza in Millennium Park within the Loop community
area of Chicago, Illinois, United States. The sculpture and AT&T Plaza are located on top of Park Grill, between the Chase Promenade and McCormick Tribune Plaza & Ice Rink. Constructed between 2004 and 2006, the sculpture is nicknamed "The Bean" because of its bean-like shape. Made up of 168 stainless steel plates welded together, its highly polished exterior has no visible seams. It is 33 by 66 by 42 feet, and weighs 100 tons.
Said to have been inspired by liquid mercury, the sculpture's surface reflects and distorts the city's skyline. Visitors are able to walk around and under Cloud Gate's 12-foot high arch. On the underside is the "omphalos" (Greek for "navel"), a concave chamber that warps and multiplies reflections. The sculpture builds upon many of Kapoor's artistic themes, and is popular with tourists as a photo-taking opportunity for its unique reflective properties.
The Bean From a Distance
Close Up of The Bean
If you look closely at the center of the reflection, you will see Veronica and I in the middle of the shot.
Reflection in the "Omphalos"
Sunday evening was a treat for us and Eddie and Linda from Spiritus. We gathered with another couple and had dinner and wine from Marianos, which is a huge supermarket, ala Whole Foods. They have a huge wine selection, and a hot and cold food bar that is enormous. They also have indoor and outdoor seating areas, where you can open your wine and have your dinner that you purchased from the food bars. After dinner, we walked to the theater where The Book of Mormon was playing. We had purchased tickets on line a few days ago. Wow, different kind of Musical. They tell you ahead of time that if you are religious, don't go to see it. Well, it was pretty funny, as well as blasphemous, irreverent and crude. Just what you would expect from the creators of "South Park". But, the music was good, and the actors were all full of energy and talent. All in all, worth seeing.
Week Twenty-four, September 9, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
Monday was a pretty active day for us. We did some shopping in the morning, and some boat maintenance, preparing for our departure Tuesday morning.
We made plans to do the Architectural Boat Tour of Chicago with Eddie and Linda at 3:00 that afternoon, and then for the four of us to meet up with Grace and Jeff from SeaGlide for dinner at Fogo de Chao, a popular Brazillian Steakhouse. The tour was really impressive!
We made plans to do the Architectural Boat Tour of Chicago with Eddie and Linda at 3:00 that afternoon, and then for the four of us to meet up with Grace and Jeff from SeaGlide for dinner at Fogo de Chao, a popular Brazillian Steakhouse. The tour was really impressive!
View of a Fountain from the Chicago River
Eddie and Linda on the Tour Boat
Mike and Veronica at Start of Tourboat Cruise
Willis Tower (aka Sears Tower)
Willis Tower (formerly named and still commonly referred to as Sears Tower) is a 108-story, 1,451-foot skyscraper in Chicago, Illinois. At the
time of its completion in 1973, it was the tallest building in the world, surpassing the World Trade Center towers in New York, and it held this rank for nearly 25 years. Willis Tower is the second-tallest building in the United States and the eighth-tallest freestanding structure in the world. The skyscraper is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Chicago, and over one million people visit its observation deck each year.
Named the Sears Tower throughout its history, in 2009 the Willis Group obtained the right to rename the building, as part of their lease on a portion of its offices. On July 16, 2009, the building was officially renamed Willis Tower. On August 13, 2012, United Airlines announced it will be moving its corporate headquarters from 77 West Wacker Drive to Willis Tower.
In 1969, Sears, Roebuck & Co. was the largest retailer in the world, with approximately 350,000 employees. Sears executives decided to consolidate the thousands of employees in offices distributed throughout the Chicago area into one building on the western edge of Chicago's Loop. With immediate space demands of 3 million square feet , and predictions for future growth necessitating more space, Sears commissioned architects Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) to produce a structure to be one of the largest office buildings in the world. Their team of architect Bruce Graham and structural engineer Fazlur Khan designed the building as nine square "tubes", each essentially a separate building, clustered in a 3×3 matrix forming a square base with 225-foot sides. All
nine tubes would rise up to the 50th floor of the building. At the 50th floor, the northwest and southeast tubes end, and the remaining seven continue up. At
the 66th floor, the northeast and the southwest tubes end. At the 90th floor, the north, east, and south tubes end. The remaining west and center tubes
continue up to the 108th floor. The building was the first to utilize Khan's bundled tube structure.
time of its completion in 1973, it was the tallest building in the world, surpassing the World Trade Center towers in New York, and it held this rank for nearly 25 years. Willis Tower is the second-tallest building in the United States and the eighth-tallest freestanding structure in the world. The skyscraper is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Chicago, and over one million people visit its observation deck each year.
Named the Sears Tower throughout its history, in 2009 the Willis Group obtained the right to rename the building, as part of their lease on a portion of its offices. On July 16, 2009, the building was officially renamed Willis Tower. On August 13, 2012, United Airlines announced it will be moving its corporate headquarters from 77 West Wacker Drive to Willis Tower.
In 1969, Sears, Roebuck & Co. was the largest retailer in the world, with approximately 350,000 employees. Sears executives decided to consolidate the thousands of employees in offices distributed throughout the Chicago area into one building on the western edge of Chicago's Loop. With immediate space demands of 3 million square feet , and predictions for future growth necessitating more space, Sears commissioned architects Skidmore, Owings and Merrill (SOM) to produce a structure to be one of the largest office buildings in the world. Their team of architect Bruce Graham and structural engineer Fazlur Khan designed the building as nine square "tubes", each essentially a separate building, clustered in a 3×3 matrix forming a square base with 225-foot sides. All
nine tubes would rise up to the 50th floor of the building. At the 50th floor, the northwest and southeast tubes end, and the remaining seven continue up. At
the 66th floor, the northeast and the southwest tubes end. At the 90th floor, the north, east, and south tubes end. The remaining west and center tubes
continue up to the 108th floor. The building was the first to utilize Khan's bundled tube structure.
Navy Pier from DuSable Marina
Navy Pier is a 3,300-foot long pier on the Chicago shoreline of Lake Michigan. It is located in the Streeterville neighborhood of the Near North Side community
area. The pier was built in 1916 at a cost of $4.5 million. It was a part of the Plan of Chicago developed by architect and city planner Daniel Burnham and his associates. As Municipal Pier #2 (Municipal Pier #1 was never built), Navy Pier was planned and built to serve as a mixed-purpose piece of public infrastructure. Its primary purpose was as a cargo facility for lake freighters, and warehouses were built up and down the Pier. However, the Pier was also designed to provide docking space for passenger excursion steamers, and in the pre–air conditioning era parts of the Pier, especially its outermost tip, were designed to serve as cool places for public gathering and entertainment. The Pier even had its own tram. Today, Navy Pier is Chicago's number one tourist attraction.
From 1965–1989, Navy Pier was considered underutilized. In the bicentennial year of 1976, opened by a concert by Fort Sheridan's 81st Army Band, Navy Pier began its fourth life as an area for public exhibits, when the East Buildings (furthest into Lake Michigan) were opened as exhibition halls. Special events including music and arts festivals (ChicagoFest was one) began to draw crowds to the Pier despite its aging infrastructure.
The halls were used to represent Atlantic City, New Jersey, in the 1986 movie The Color of Money for the 9-Ball Championship. From 1979 to 1987, a submarine, the USS Silversides, was docked at Navy Pier.
In 1989, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority took control over the Pier. Major renovation and construction followed in the 1990s at a cost of US$200 million. As rebuilt in the 1990s, the Pier's layout included fast-food kiosks, shops, a ballroom, a concert stage, and convention exhibition halls.
Navy Pier extends into Lake Michigan. Centerpiece attractions include a Ferris wheel, an IMAX theater, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze, the Chicago Children's Museum, the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, and at the entrance to Navy Pier is a statue of Oak Park comedian Bob Newhart, sponsored by the TV Land network.
The Pier now features a large front lawn showcasing numerous larger-than-life public art sculptures and an interactive animated fountain created by WET (of Fountains of Bellagio fame). The Pier continues to be used as an embarkation point for tour and excursion boats and is a popular place to watch lakefront events, including the annual Air and Water airshow and the parade of lighted and decorated boats during Chicago's Venetian Night festival.
The Pier and its grounds encompass more than 50 acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants and other shore entertainment. Navy Pier contains 170,000 total square feet of exhibition space, 50,000 square feet of reception space and 48,000 square feet of meeting room space.
area. The pier was built in 1916 at a cost of $4.5 million. It was a part of the Plan of Chicago developed by architect and city planner Daniel Burnham and his associates. As Municipal Pier #2 (Municipal Pier #1 was never built), Navy Pier was planned and built to serve as a mixed-purpose piece of public infrastructure. Its primary purpose was as a cargo facility for lake freighters, and warehouses were built up and down the Pier. However, the Pier was also designed to provide docking space for passenger excursion steamers, and in the pre–air conditioning era parts of the Pier, especially its outermost tip, were designed to serve as cool places for public gathering and entertainment. The Pier even had its own tram. Today, Navy Pier is Chicago's number one tourist attraction.
From 1965–1989, Navy Pier was considered underutilized. In the bicentennial year of 1976, opened by a concert by Fort Sheridan's 81st Army Band, Navy Pier began its fourth life as an area for public exhibits, when the East Buildings (furthest into Lake Michigan) were opened as exhibition halls. Special events including music and arts festivals (ChicagoFest was one) began to draw crowds to the Pier despite its aging infrastructure.
The halls were used to represent Atlantic City, New Jersey, in the 1986 movie The Color of Money for the 9-Ball Championship. From 1979 to 1987, a submarine, the USS Silversides, was docked at Navy Pier.
In 1989, the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority took control over the Pier. Major renovation and construction followed in the 1990s at a cost of US$200 million. As rebuilt in the 1990s, the Pier's layout included fast-food kiosks, shops, a ballroom, a concert stage, and convention exhibition halls.
Navy Pier extends into Lake Michigan. Centerpiece attractions include a Ferris wheel, an IMAX theater, the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Amazing Chicago's Funhouse Maze, the Chicago Children's Museum, the Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows, and at the entrance to Navy Pier is a statue of Oak Park comedian Bob Newhart, sponsored by the TV Land network.
The Pier now features a large front lawn showcasing numerous larger-than-life public art sculptures and an interactive animated fountain created by WET (of Fountains of Bellagio fame). The Pier continues to be used as an embarkation point for tour and excursion boats and is a popular place to watch lakefront events, including the annual Air and Water airshow and the parade of lighted and decorated boats during Chicago's Venetian Night festival.
The Pier and its grounds encompass more than 50 acres of parks, gardens, shops, restaurants and other shore entertainment. Navy Pier contains 170,000 total square feet of exhibition space, 50,000 square feet of reception space and 48,000 square feet of meeting room space.
Entrance to Chicago River
Chicago River at Night From North Michigan Avenue (Looking West)
Notice the crescent moon between the two center buildings.
Chicago Nightscape
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Tuesday morning saw us leaving Chicago by ourselves at six am to enter the Calumet River in South Chicago. We could not go down the Chicago River without once again stripping our antennas off the radar arch, and it just didn't seem worth the effort. Our plan was to try and meet up with Jeff and Grace on SeaGlide somewhere near where the Chicago Sanitary Canal and the Calumet River come together and join the Illinois River.
Sunrise on Lake Michigan Behind Lighthouse (Leaving Chicago)
Sunrise on Chicago From Four Miles Off Shore
Waterfalls on Calumet River
So, luck and good planning coming together, we met up with SeaGlide about a mile after the junction of the rivers. Traveling south, we went through the electrified barrier they have installed to keep the invasive Asian Carp from entering Lake Michigan. In an attempt to prevent the Asian Carp from entering
the Great Lakes, the Army Corps of Engineers erected a dispersal barrier system on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The electric barrier on the canal is
designed to repel the carp back from entering Lake Michigan. There are three electrical barriers: Demonstration Barrier, Barrier IIA, and Barrier IIB. The
Demonstration Barrier has been operational since 2002. Barrier IIA was placed into full-time operation in 2009 and Barrier IIB was activated in April 2011.
The Demonstration Barrier and Barrier IIB are in continuous operation, while Barrier IIA is in warm standby. The current thinking is to sever the connection of the rivers and lake Michigan, so that there is no physical way for the carp to migrate. If this happens, ther will be no way for any vessels to enter the river system from the Great Lakes. Just don't see that happening.
the Great Lakes, the Army Corps of Engineers erected a dispersal barrier system on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. The electric barrier on the canal is
designed to repel the carp back from entering Lake Michigan. There are three electrical barriers: Demonstration Barrier, Barrier IIA, and Barrier IIB. The
Demonstration Barrier has been operational since 2002. Barrier IIA was placed into full-time operation in 2009 and Barrier IIB was activated in April 2011.
The Demonstration Barrier and Barrier IIB are in continuous operation, while Barrier IIA is in warm standby. The current thinking is to sever the connection of the rivers and lake Michigan, so that there is no physical way for the carp to migrate. If this happens, ther will be no way for any vessels to enter the river system from the Great Lakes. Just don't see that happening.
Duck Blinds on the Illinois River
We arrived at Harborside Marina, south of Joliet Illinois, at four in the afternoon, after a full days run of 73 miles. Talk about a long day. There is a nice seafood restaurant at the marina, and after showering and cleaning up, the four of us had a nice dinner and retired early, not knowing what the lock situation would bring in the morning. We were only a few miles from the first lock, and had to be ready to leave whenever the lockmaster could take us through.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
It is a good thing we were prepared. Grace called the lock while Jeff and I were discussing the days trip, and she found out that if we left the marina right now, we would be able to lock right through. So, off we were without a moments hesitation. The Admiral hadn't even got the coffee going yet. But, all things being equal, it turned out great. We made the 35 mile trip to Heritage Harbor Marina in Ottawa, Illinois in good time, going through one more lock at Marseilles, Illinois, and got tucked in for a bit of a stay. Veronica is scheduled to catch a flight out of Chicago's O'Hare airport on Friday for a ten day visit with Sean, Sue Ann and granddaughter Allie in Charlotte, leaving me to do some much needed maintenance on the boat.
Thursday, September 12, 2013
Thursday turned into a prep day for Veronicas trip. I got the courtesy car from the marina, and dropped her off at the Laundromat in town while I visited the local Wal-Mart and a few other stores for supplies. After she finished the laundry, I picked her up and we returned to the marina.
Surprise, surprise. About four in the afternoon, we heard many old friends on the radio, clearing Marseilles lock and heading for Heritage Harbor. Journey, Down Time, Barefoot',n, and harmony, just to name a few. There are now 10 loopers at the marina. This of course, calls for a Docktail Party, and we all gathered on shore at the picnic tables to catch up.
Surprise, surprise. About four in the afternoon, we heard many old friends on the radio, clearing Marseilles lock and heading for Heritage Harbor. Journey, Down Time, Barefoot',n, and harmony, just to name a few. There are now 10 loopers at the marina. This of course, calls for a Docktail Party, and we all gathered on shore at the picnic tables to catch up.
Friday, September 13, 2013
Superstitions aside, Friday the 13th turned out to be a great day for Veronica to fly. I had picked up a rental car the night before, and proceeded to drive her to O'Hare, 85 miles (all highway) away. After an uneventful drive through the Illinois countryside, we made the airport with plenty of time to spare. I even had enough time to visit Home Depot and West Marine on the way back. Had to go to West Marine to exchange one of the TaylorMade round fenders that would not hold air. True to the advertising, West Marine gave me a new one at no charge.
On returning to the boat, I ordered a new VHF radio from The GPS Store for delivery the following week at the marina. We had been discussing it for a few days. The new radio had an AIS receiver built in, which would allow me to see the commercial traffic in our area on the chartplotter. This had been a great asset when we were travelling with SeaGlide, as they could call the tows before we saw them and ask the skippers how he wanted us to pass. Really came in handy a few times when were approaching commercial traffic that was just around the bend. Had we not known they were there, it could have been very dicey.
Anyway, that done, I had another surprise. Cindy and Larry on Bucket List were about to arrive at the marina for a few days. That got the three we traveled with the most all together again. Really wished Veronica could be here.
On returning to the boat, I ordered a new VHF radio from The GPS Store for delivery the following week at the marina. We had been discussing it for a few days. The new radio had an AIS receiver built in, which would allow me to see the commercial traffic in our area on the chartplotter. This had been a great asset when we were travelling with SeaGlide, as they could call the tows before we saw them and ask the skippers how he wanted us to pass. Really came in handy a few times when were approaching commercial traffic that was just around the bend. Had we not known they were there, it could have been very dicey.
Anyway, that done, I had another surprise. Cindy and Larry on Bucket List were about to arrive at the marina for a few days. That got the three we traveled with the most all together again. Really wished Veronica could be here.
Randy & Vicki (Barefoot'n) Cindy & Larry (Bucket List)
Mike (Pazza Bella and Jeff & Grace (SeaGlide)
Saturday, September 14, 2013
Most of the gaggle that came in on Thursday decided to leave today. Exceptions were SeaGlide, Barefoot'n, Bucket List and of course Pazza Bella. Not much to talk about. Everyone was busy doing chores and provisioning. Had a quiet day and then gathered round the Bar-B-Q for one last dinner together.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Barefoot'n and SeaGlide decided to leave this morning, heading south. Cindy and Larry invited me to their boat for dinner. Cindy did an awesome job on fajitas with saffron rice and refried beans. After dinner, Larry and I pored over the charts for here to Joe Wheeler State Park. These are Larry's home waters, and he gave me many many tips about where to and not to go. He and Cindy will be crossing their wake and finishing the loop in the coming week when they return to home port in Grafton Illinois.
Week Twenty-five, September 16, 2013
Monday, September 16, 2013
So sad. Larry and Cindy left early, along with the last three loopers left at the marina, heading home. Will really miss them.
Busy day for me. Had the folks from Quest Marine here to do oil changes. Changed the oil in the main engines, generator, and transmissions. Changed all fuel and oil filters (eleven total). We had a little bit of a problem when the tech put the fuel filter gaskets in wrong and we could not start the starboard engine. After a few hours of scratching our heads and talking to American Diesel, got it all figured out and back on line. Turned out we had the wrong fuel filter for the generator, so he has to come back tomorrow to put that in.
Tuesday, September 17, 2013
Miss my Admiral a lot, but I am managing to get much needed stuff done. Put new weather stripping on the salon door, ala Down Time. The new radio came in and I started to work on that. Do not believe everything you are told. The folks at the GPS Store told me it would be a simple installation. Plug and play, they said. Will fit in the same hole as the old radio, they said. Well, guess what!!
For openers, the over zealous folks who installed the existing radio use 5200 caulking. That is not only a caulk, but an adhesive. It took me hours to get the old radio out, in the process, putting some gouges in the dash and in the existing radio. Persistence, persistence. I final got it out, but too late in the day to do anything but check the hole size. Oops! Have to make the hole bigger.
For openers, the over zealous folks who installed the existing radio use 5200 caulking. That is not only a caulk, but an adhesive. It took me hours to get the old radio out, in the process, putting some gouges in the dash and in the existing radio. Persistence, persistence. I final got it out, but too late in the day to do anything but check the hole size. Oops! Have to make the hole bigger.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Okay. First thing out of the box, lets cut the new hole. I was able to hide most of the damage to the dash by positioning the new hole over it. Looked pretty good. After getting the radio physically installed, I started trying to make the connections. Could not get the sucker to work. The gal I talked to emailed me a link to the correct installation manual, which she said I did not have. Right. I didn't have it because the radio they sold me was last years model, and the new one is different. Not a problem. Called The radio manufacturer and the chartplotter manufacturer and figured out the correct wiring. In the process, discovered I did not have the required 7 pin NMEA cable. OooooKay. Back to the GPS Store. They overnighted me the cable, picking up the freight charges, which I thought was nice. Lets try again tomorrow.
Also had the diver out today to inspect and replace zincs. He changed out the main transom zinc and the rudder zincs. All the rest appeared to be fine. While he was down there, I had him straighten the little curls we put in the starboard prop when we hit bottom in the Trent-Severn. Great job, no problem.
Okay. First thing out of the box, lets cut the new hole. I was able to hide most of the damage to the dash by positioning the new hole over it. Looked pretty good. After getting the radio physically installed, I started trying to make the connections. Could not get the sucker to work. The gal I talked to emailed me a link to the correct installation manual, which she said I did not have. Right. I didn't have it because the radio they sold me was last years model, and the new one is different. Not a problem. Called The radio manufacturer and the chartplotter manufacturer and figured out the correct wiring. In the process, discovered I did not have the required 7 pin NMEA cable. OooooKay. Back to the GPS Store. They overnighted me the cable, picking up the freight charges, which I thought was nice. Lets try again tomorrow.
Also had the diver out today to inspect and replace zincs. He changed out the main transom zinc and the rudder zincs. All the rest appeared to be fine. While he was down there, I had him straighten the little curls we put in the starboard prop when we hit bottom in the Trent-Severn. Great job, no problem.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
By now, I am really missing the Admiral. But, back to work.
The new cable came in first thing, and I proceeded with the install.
So, all wiring is completed as specified, but no joy The thing still does not work. After much gnashing of teeth and rending of clothing, I sat down to think it out. Wiring coming from chartplotter is different color than wiring going to radio. Ergo, there is a junction box somewhere. After tracing the wiring (no small feat), I found the problem at the system hub. The original installing geniuses did not run all the wires all the way through. They left them unconnected at the hub. Jumpered the wires, and Voila, The System Works!!! OMG!!!
Spent the rest of the day programming the units and cleaning up my mess. Put tools and manuals away. Time for a shower and a treat, dinner and a couple of Vodka Tonics at the marina restaurant. Can't wait for The Admirals return.
Friday, September 20, 2013 Thru Sunday, September 22, 2013
All finished with chores and maintenance issues. I have thoroughly tested the new AIS (Automatic Identification System), and all works well. Now just waiting for the Admiral to return on Monday so that we can be back on the water Tuesday. Not much left to do but laundry and relax.
Week Twenty-six, September 23, 2013
Monday, September 23, 2013
Off to pick up the Admiral at O'Hare airport. After a little confusion about where we were to meet, we connected and got on the road back to Heritage Harbor Marina in Ottawa, IL. We spent a nice quiet evening on the boat, off to bed early, ready to leave at first light for Peoria, IL.
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Left the dock at 7:00 am, off to Peoria, IL. After a trip of 74 miles, we arrived at the IVY Club (Illinois Valley Yacht Club) at 3:00 pm, and met our next door neighbors, Larry and Lenore Ancypa, gold loopers from Saint Clair, MI, who are on their second loop. A nice dinner with them at the No Wake Zone Restaurant across the street from the marina, and ready to start out early again tomorrow.
Town Dock at Peoria, IL.
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
Got a late start this morning, off the dock at 8:00 am. Headed south on the Illinois river to the Langston Tug Company in Beardstown, Illinois, the only place to tie up between Peoria and Grafton IL. We tied up to one of their barges on the river at about 4:30 pm, and had a quiet night, although a few barges rocked us pretty good when they came through.
Havana, IL, Between Peoria and Beardstown
Thursday, September 26, 2013
OK, down the river at first light, 6:35 am, arriving at Grafton, IL, at 4:30 pm. Our trip today is 88 miles, and when we got to Grafton, our total miles to date from Charleston to here is 3066 statute miles. Larry Kreissler from Bucket List was at the dock to greet us when we came in. Grafton Marina is his and Cindy's home port, and they are going to be with us for the next few days while we are here. Larry and Veronica and I had dinner at the Marina restaurant, and tomorrow we will pick up Cindy at their home.
Sunrise on the Illinois River at Beardstown, IL
5 x 4 Tow (20 Barges - 1 Tugboat)
Tugboat pushing 20 Barges
The 20 barge tows looks to be huge, but we have seen tows twice as big, 6 x 7 (42 barges). Those are really scary!!
Friday, September 27, 2013
Friday is provision day. Larry took us on a trip to the local Wal-Mart, and afterwards, we dropped the groceries off at the boat and took an hour ride to pick up Cindy at their home. After we picked Cindy up, we went on a tour of the Alton, IL area and stopped at a local landmark, Fast Eddies Bon Air restaurant. This is quite a place that has developed over the years into an area of an entire city block.
In 1921 Anheuser Busch decided to open a drinking establishment in the picturesque river town of Alton, Illinois. A yellow brick building known as Bon-Air, was constructed right on the corner of three streets, 4th, Pearl and Broadway. Approximately ten years later, Busch had to sell the tavern due to a change in the statutes, which prohibited breweries from owning drinking establishments.
Sam Balaco, and later his son Lotteo, owned and operated the Bon-Air for 50 years. Then in 1981, in a move that would change history forever, Eddie Sholar
(alias Fast Eddie) purchased Bon-Air. Things began to change – FAST!
In the more than twenty years that Fast Eddie has owned Bon-Air, it has quadrupled in size going from 80 chairs (and a few beer cases) to over 400
chairs. And on the weekends, standing room becomes a premium commodity! Each weekend features the best in live entertainment: Sable, Fantasy, Planet
Boogie and Ultraviolets, just to name a few. Until you’ve played Bon-Air, you haven’t played anywhere.
Fast Eddie’s Bon-Air is like no other. Over 4,000 half barrels of beer and thousands of cases of cans, bottles and liquor quench the thirst of our patrons
every year. Some even say that Bon-Air is the #1 volume bar in the world!
A food bar, added due to popular demand, serves an assortment of grilled burgers, shish-kabobs, bratwurst and boiled shrimp all sold at the same low
prices as when they were added nineteen years ago. So…they now have an establishment that has become the hot spot of the Midwest!
In 1921 Anheuser Busch decided to open a drinking establishment in the picturesque river town of Alton, Illinois. A yellow brick building known as Bon-Air, was constructed right on the corner of three streets, 4th, Pearl and Broadway. Approximately ten years later, Busch had to sell the tavern due to a change in the statutes, which prohibited breweries from owning drinking establishments.
Sam Balaco, and later his son Lotteo, owned and operated the Bon-Air for 50 years. Then in 1981, in a move that would change history forever, Eddie Sholar
(alias Fast Eddie) purchased Bon-Air. Things began to change – FAST!
In the more than twenty years that Fast Eddie has owned Bon-Air, it has quadrupled in size going from 80 chairs (and a few beer cases) to over 400
chairs. And on the weekends, standing room becomes a premium commodity! Each weekend features the best in live entertainment: Sable, Fantasy, Planet
Boogie and Ultraviolets, just to name a few. Until you’ve played Bon-Air, you haven’t played anywhere.
Fast Eddie’s Bon-Air is like no other. Over 4,000 half barrels of beer and thousands of cases of cans, bottles and liquor quench the thirst of our patrons
every year. Some even say that Bon-Air is the #1 volume bar in the world!
A food bar, added due to popular demand, serves an assortment of grilled burgers, shish-kabobs, bratwurst and boiled shrimp all sold at the same low
prices as when they were added nineteen years ago. So…they now have an establishment that has become the hot spot of the Midwest!
Mike & Veronica in front of Fast Eddie's
Mike & Veronica with Statue of Robert Pershing Wadlow
Robert Pershing Wadlow (February 22, 918 – July 15, 1940) is the tallest person in history for whom there is irrefutable evidence. Wadlow is sometimes known
as the Alton Giant or Giant of Illinois because he was born and grew up in Alton, Illinois.
Wadlow reached 8 ft 11.1 in in height and weighed 439 lb at his death at age 22. His great size and his continued growth in adulthood were due to hyperplasia of his pituitary gland, which results in an abnormally high level of human growth hormone. He showed no indication of an end to his growth even at the time of his death.
On July 4, 1940, during a professional appearance at the Manistee National Forest Festival, a faulty brace irritated his ankle, causing a blister and subsequent infection. Doctors treated him with a blood transfusion and emergency surgery, but his condition worsened, and on July 15, 1940, he died in his sleep at age 22.
Around 5,000 people attended Wadlow's funeral on July 19. He was buried in a 10-foot-long, half-ton coffin that required twelve pallbearers to carry and was interred in a vault of solid concrete. It was believed that Wadlow's family members were concerned for the sanctity of his body after his death, and wanted to ensure it would not be disturbed or stolen.
A life-size statue of Wadlow stands on College Avenue in Alton, opposite the Alton Museum of History and Art. The statue was erected in 1986 in honor of the hometown native. Another statue of him stands in The Guinness Museum in Niagara Falls, and others are at several of the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museums. A group of six life-size models, made before his death by artist James Butler, exist, and are shipped and displayed in replica caskets.
He is still affectionately known as the "Gentle Giant."
as the Alton Giant or Giant of Illinois because he was born and grew up in Alton, Illinois.
Wadlow reached 8 ft 11.1 in in height and weighed 439 lb at his death at age 22. His great size and his continued growth in adulthood were due to hyperplasia of his pituitary gland, which results in an abnormally high level of human growth hormone. He showed no indication of an end to his growth even at the time of his death.
On July 4, 1940, during a professional appearance at the Manistee National Forest Festival, a faulty brace irritated his ankle, causing a blister and subsequent infection. Doctors treated him with a blood transfusion and emergency surgery, but his condition worsened, and on July 15, 1940, he died in his sleep at age 22.
Around 5,000 people attended Wadlow's funeral on July 19. He was buried in a 10-foot-long, half-ton coffin that required twelve pallbearers to carry and was interred in a vault of solid concrete. It was believed that Wadlow's family members were concerned for the sanctity of his body after his death, and wanted to ensure it would not be disturbed or stolen.
A life-size statue of Wadlow stands on College Avenue in Alton, opposite the Alton Museum of History and Art. The statue was erected in 1986 in honor of the hometown native. Another statue of him stands in The Guinness Museum in Niagara Falls, and others are at several of the Ripley's Believe It or Not Museums. A group of six life-size models, made before his death by artist James Butler, exist, and are shipped and displayed in replica caskets.
He is still affectionately known as the "Gentle Giant."
Mike & Veronica in Full Size Replica of Wadlow's Chair
Panoramic View of the Juncture of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers
from the Aerie Restaurant, Grafton, IL.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
Today, we got a visit from my cousin, Dave Buck, who lives in O'Fallon, MO, a 45 minute drive away. I had had a new PA speaker shipped to his house, and my Aunt Kate had also shipped a care package (Italian Biscotti's) to him for us. Dave came out at about 10:00 am and spent most of the day with us.
Mike on the Brow of Pazza Bella, Ready to Install the New PA Speaker
Veronica, Mike, Cindy and Larry Kreissler on Deck of the Aerie Restaurant
Dave Buck, Veronica and Mike at Aerie Restaurant
Sunday, September 29, 2013
And we are off!!!
1.5 miles after leaving Grafton on Sunday morning, we join the Mississippi River and head on South.
1.5 miles after leaving Grafton on Sunday morning, we join the Mississippi River and head on South.
Sunrise at the Juncture of the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers
Our Lady of the Rivers
Our Lady of the Rivers is a shrine to the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Mississippi River at Portage des Sioux, Missouri, which is about 29 highway miles north of downtown Saint Louis. The shrine was dedicated on October 13th, 1957. According to a newspaper article that year:
“While the streets of many riverbank communities disappeared beneath the rising waters, something important was happening in Portage des Sioux, Mo.
Father Edward B. Schlattmann, pastor of St. Francis Church, called upon his parish Legion of Mary to pray to the Blessed Virgin. For the first time anywhere, Mary’s protection was sought under the appellative, “Our Lady of the Rivers.” The surging current swept over the roads leading into Portage and lapsed hungrily toward the town. Isolated and frightened, Portage people watched helplessly as the water inched nearer their homes. After two weeks, when the flood finally crested, their community was mostly high and dry.” The flood was in 1951. Portage des Sioux, although in the floodplain of both the Mississippi River and the Missouri River, about two and half miles to the south, is built up somewhat from the river. A causeway leads to Portage Island, which the shrine shares with marinas. A smaller foot-causeway leads to the shrine itself, which is built out on the river. The land surrounding this causeway is only a few inches above the river level, and is marshy in places. The river is about 9/10 of a mile wide here.
Portage des Sioux is upstream from Saint Louis, and most critically, is upstream from the confluence with the often violent and unpredictable Missouri River. The land here is protected by a series of slackwater dams, and the river is wide, serene, and regulated in height, and is ideal for pleasure boating. The shrine is used for the annual "Blessing of the Fleet" in July.
Under the high bluffs on the opposite side of the river is Illinois Route 3, the "Great River Road" which is famous for spectacular scenery.
“While the streets of many riverbank communities disappeared beneath the rising waters, something important was happening in Portage des Sioux, Mo.
Father Edward B. Schlattmann, pastor of St. Francis Church, called upon his parish Legion of Mary to pray to the Blessed Virgin. For the first time anywhere, Mary’s protection was sought under the appellative, “Our Lady of the Rivers.” The surging current swept over the roads leading into Portage and lapsed hungrily toward the town. Isolated and frightened, Portage people watched helplessly as the water inched nearer their homes. After two weeks, when the flood finally crested, their community was mostly high and dry.” The flood was in 1951. Portage des Sioux, although in the floodplain of both the Mississippi River and the Missouri River, about two and half miles to the south, is built up somewhat from the river. A causeway leads to Portage Island, which the shrine shares with marinas. A smaller foot-causeway leads to the shrine itself, which is built out on the river. The land surrounding this causeway is only a few inches above the river level, and is marshy in places. The river is about 9/10 of a mile wide here.
Portage des Sioux is upstream from Saint Louis, and most critically, is upstream from the confluence with the often violent and unpredictable Missouri River. The land here is protected by a series of slackwater dams, and the river is wide, serene, and regulated in height, and is ideal for pleasure boating. The shrine is used for the annual "Blessing of the Fleet" in July.
Under the high bluffs on the opposite side of the river is Illinois Route 3, the "Great River Road" which is famous for spectacular scenery.
Piasa Bird - Alton, IL.
The Piasa or Piasa Bird is a Native American dragon depicted in one of two murals painted by Native Americans on bluffs (cliffsides) above the Mississippi River. Its original location was at the end of a chain of limestone bluffs in Madison County, Illinois at present-day Alton, Illinois. The original Piasa illustration
no longer exists; a newer 20th Century version, based partly on 19th-century sketches and lithographs, has been placed on a bluff in Alton, Illinois, several hundred yards upstream from its origin. The limestone rock quality on the new site is unsuited for holding an image, and the painting must be regularly restored. The original site of the painting was a high-quality (6–8 foot thick) layer of lithographic limestone, which was predominantly quarried away in the late 1870s by the Mississippi Lime Company. The ancient mural was created prior to the arrival of any European explorers in the region, and possibly before 1200 CE. It may have been an older iconograph from the large Mississippian culture city of Cahokia, which began developing about 900 CE. The location of the image was at a river-bluff terminus of the American Bottoms floodplain, the site of the Cahokians, the largest prehistoric city north of Mexico and a major chiefdom. Cahokia was at its peak about 1200 CE, with 20,000 to 30,000 residents. Icons and animal pictographs, such as falcons, thunder-birds, bird men, and monstrous snakes were common motifs of the Cahokia culture. The Piasa creature may have been painted as a graphic symbol to warn strangers traveling down the Mississippi River that they were entering Cahokian territory.
An Alton Evening Telegraph newspaper article of May 27, 1921 stated that seven smaller painted images, believed to be of archaic American Indian origin,
were found in the early 20th Century approx. 1.5 miles upriver from the ancient "Piasa" creature's location. These pictures were carved and painted in rocks
located in the "Levis Bluffs" area by George Dickson and William Turk in 1905. Four of the these paintings were of "an owl, a sun circle, a squirrel, and a
piece showing two birds or some kind of animals in a contest", the other 3 paintings were of "a great animal, perhaps a lion, and another an animal
about as large as a dog". These paintings were photographed by Prof. William McAdams and were to be placed in his book "Records of Ancient Races in the
Mississippi Valley: being an account of some of the pictographs, sculptured hieroglyphs, symbolic devices, emblems and traditions of the prehistoric races
of America, with some suggestions as to their origin" William McAdams, C. R. Barns Publishing Co., 1887. {available on Google Books} . These seven archaic
American Indian paintings have been lost in recorded annals as they were to have been in transit to the Missouri Historical Society circa 1922. Other Native
American carved petroglyphs of a similar time period and region as the Piasa monster are carved into the rocks at Washington State Park, De Soto, Missouri
(approx. 60 miles southwest of the current Piasa image).
The 1797-1798 map of French explorer Nicolas De Finiels' shows the cliffs above the Piasa labeled as Hauteurs De Paillisa.
An earlier 1778 Map titled "A new map of the western parts of Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and North Carolina; comprehending the river Ohio, and all
the rivers, which fall into it; part of the river Mississippi, the whole of the Illinois River, ... Author Hutchins, Thomas, 1730-1789" clearly shows the place
name "PIASAS" where the present day City of Alton is located and bounded by the Wood River to the east. (this map is one of the earliest documented
references for the word "Piasa").
The name Piasa may also have been derived from the Native American Miami-Illinois word páyiihsa ("little people(s)"). This was their name for small, supernatural dwarves said to attack travelers. Local claims that the word "Piasa" meant "the bird that devours men" or "bird of the evil spirit" are not accurate nor based in the Illinois language.
no longer exists; a newer 20th Century version, based partly on 19th-century sketches and lithographs, has been placed on a bluff in Alton, Illinois, several hundred yards upstream from its origin. The limestone rock quality on the new site is unsuited for holding an image, and the painting must be regularly restored. The original site of the painting was a high-quality (6–8 foot thick) layer of lithographic limestone, which was predominantly quarried away in the late 1870s by the Mississippi Lime Company. The ancient mural was created prior to the arrival of any European explorers in the region, and possibly before 1200 CE. It may have been an older iconograph from the large Mississippian culture city of Cahokia, which began developing about 900 CE. The location of the image was at a river-bluff terminus of the American Bottoms floodplain, the site of the Cahokians, the largest prehistoric city north of Mexico and a major chiefdom. Cahokia was at its peak about 1200 CE, with 20,000 to 30,000 residents. Icons and animal pictographs, such as falcons, thunder-birds, bird men, and monstrous snakes were common motifs of the Cahokia culture. The Piasa creature may have been painted as a graphic symbol to warn strangers traveling down the Mississippi River that they were entering Cahokian territory.
An Alton Evening Telegraph newspaper article of May 27, 1921 stated that seven smaller painted images, believed to be of archaic American Indian origin,
were found in the early 20th Century approx. 1.5 miles upriver from the ancient "Piasa" creature's location. These pictures were carved and painted in rocks
located in the "Levis Bluffs" area by George Dickson and William Turk in 1905. Four of the these paintings were of "an owl, a sun circle, a squirrel, and a
piece showing two birds or some kind of animals in a contest", the other 3 paintings were of "a great animal, perhaps a lion, and another an animal
about as large as a dog". These paintings were photographed by Prof. William McAdams and were to be placed in his book "Records of Ancient Races in the
Mississippi Valley: being an account of some of the pictographs, sculptured hieroglyphs, symbolic devices, emblems and traditions of the prehistoric races
of America, with some suggestions as to their origin" William McAdams, C. R. Barns Publishing Co., 1887. {available on Google Books} . These seven archaic
American Indian paintings have been lost in recorded annals as they were to have been in transit to the Missouri Historical Society circa 1922. Other Native
American carved petroglyphs of a similar time period and region as the Piasa monster are carved into the rocks at Washington State Park, De Soto, Missouri
(approx. 60 miles southwest of the current Piasa image).
The 1797-1798 map of French explorer Nicolas De Finiels' shows the cliffs above the Piasa labeled as Hauteurs De Paillisa.
An earlier 1778 Map titled "A new map of the western parts of Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland and North Carolina; comprehending the river Ohio, and all
the rivers, which fall into it; part of the river Mississippi, the whole of the Illinois River, ... Author Hutchins, Thomas, 1730-1789" clearly shows the place
name "PIASAS" where the present day City of Alton is located and bounded by the Wood River to the east. (this map is one of the earliest documented
references for the word "Piasa").
The name Piasa may also have been derived from the Native American Miami-Illinois word páyiihsa ("little people(s)"). This was their name for small, supernatural dwarves said to attack travelers. Local claims that the word "Piasa" meant "the bird that devours men" or "bird of the evil spirit" are not accurate nor based in the Illinois language.
Alton Queen Riverboat Casino - Alton, IL.
Pazza Bella Passing the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, MO
The Gateway Arch is a 630-foot (192 m) monument in St. Louis, Missouri. Clad in stainless steel and built in the form of a flattened catenary arch, it is the tallest man-made monument in the United States, Missouri's tallest accessible building, and the world's tallest arch. Built as a monument to the westward expansion of the United States, it is the centerpiece of the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial and has become an internationally famous symbol of St. Louis.
The arch sits at the site of St. Louis' foundation on the west bank of the Mississippi River.
The Gateway Arch was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen and German-American structural engineer Hannskarl Bandel in 1947. Construction began on February 12, 1963, and ended on October 28, 1965, costing US$13 million at the time (approximately $94,700,000 in 2013). The
monument opened to the public on June 10, 1967.
The arch sits at the site of St. Louis' foundation on the west bank of the Mississippi River.
The Gateway Arch was designed by Finnish-American architect Eero Saarinen and German-American structural engineer Hannskarl Bandel in 1947. Construction began on February 12, 1963, and ended on October 28, 1965, costing US$13 million at the time (approximately $94,700,000 in 2013). The
monument opened to the public on June 10, 1967.
A Far From Home Inuksuk Pointing Our Way Down the Mississippi River
On our way down the Mississippi River, we had our picture taken by Larry and Cindy, who left Grafton Harbor after we did (by car), and stopped on the way home to wait for us to come by. Cindy also erected a Canadian Inuksuk to show us the way (in case we were lost). Larry and Cindy also continued on down the Mississippi to meet us at Hoppie's Marina, the last fuel stop for 238 miles, and home to Hoppie and his wife Fern, who (Fern) is the expert on the river conditions and who gives a chart briefing every day at 4:00 pm to all who stop at the Marina. We arrived at 1:00 pm, after a trip downriver of 59 miles.
As a matter of tradition, we also went to the Blue Owl Restaurant nearby for a slice of their world famous (really) Levee High Apple Pie, which is literally about nine inches high! After the lunch, dessert and the briefing, we took a sad farewell parting, with promises to meet again in a few weeks at the Looper Fall Rendezvous at Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville, Alabama. Larry and Cindy will be driving down to see all of their Looper Buddies again.
As a matter of tradition, we also went to the Blue Owl Restaurant nearby for a slice of their world famous (really) Levee High Apple Pie, which is literally about nine inches high! After the lunch, dessert and the briefing, we took a sad farewell parting, with promises to meet again in a few weeks at the Looper Fall Rendezvous at Joe Wheeler State Park in Rogersville, Alabama. Larry and Cindy will be driving down to see all of their Looper Buddies again.
Chart Briefing at Hoppie's
Karen Siegel (l), Fern Hopkins, Jeff Siegel, Cap'n Mike & Admiral Veronica
Week Twenty-seven, September 30, 2013
Monday, September 30,2013
Monday morning at Hoppie's. We had planned to leave at 7:00 am, travelling for a while with Captain Jeff and Admiral Karen Siegel on A'capella. They are the folks who are the force behind Active Captain, the interactive web site all travelers on the waters, showing Marinas, Businesses, obstructions in the waterways, and many other things too numerous to mention. Like Wikpedia, any user can make entries and/or corrections, rate marinas, and input things like fuel prices, reviews, etc. Great site!!
Anyway, the best laid plans, etc etc. Hoppie's was really fogged in. So, departure at 9:40 am. A leisurely trip down the Miss to Mile Marker 78 where we anchored behind a wing dam for the night. This part of the Mississippi has absolutely nothing to see and do. There are no small towns or marinas. No places to fuel or provision. So, I won't spend much time detailing it.
Anyway, the best laid plans, etc etc. Hoppie's was really fogged in. So, departure at 9:40 am. A leisurely trip down the Miss to Mile Marker 78 where we anchored behind a wing dam for the night. This part of the Mississippi has absolutely nothing to see and do. There are no small towns or marinas. No places to fuel or provision. So, I won't spend much time detailing it.