We left Chicago on August 30, 2010 with 771 miles to traverse on the Illinois, Mississppi, Ohio, and Tennessee Rivers. Most of this section of the loop is small river towns, locks, and lots of barge traffic. We stayed at free dock walls, a few marinas, and several anchorages along the way. We had 8 locks on the Illinois, 2 on the Mississippi, 2 on the Ohio, and finally Kentucky Dam on the Tennessee River. We had a few waits getting through but made it fine. The Mississippi was moving swiftly and we got excellent fuel economy and were able to travel longer distances due to the push we got from the current. We lost our bowthruster prop in a lock on the Illinois and was told by several other loopers that I had to learn to drive a boat like everybody else!! We made it to Green Turtle Bay in Grand Rivers, KY late (in the dark, got to use my spotlight!) on September 10 and had the boat pulled for some work and rented a car and drove home for a week. We returned to Here and Now on September 20 and stayed and extra day at Green Turtle for a looper potluck with 18 other loopers. We departed on 9/21 and arrived at our home port at Riverstone Marina on 9/24 after crossing our wake on 9/22 near Pebble Isle in New Johnsonville, TN. Gold Burgee was lifted and what a feeling of accomplishment but also a little sadness that our great adventure was over. Our neighbors and fellow loopers Van and Diane Carter met us as we arrived home and welcomed us back and we toasted our loop completion.
We have traveled 5320 miles, went through 102 locks, and visited 16 states and one foreign courntry (Canada) over about 10.5 months. Our average speed for the entire trip while underway was 8.3 mph which includes lock delays, no wake zones, and a few days that we picked it up a notch (not many of those). The longest distance we travled on a cruise day was 241 miles from Panama City, Fl to Clearwater, Fl with a fuel stop at Appalachicola, FL as we crossed the Gulf of Mexico overnight with our traveling companions Biddie and the Beast...what a night! The shortest distance was 6 miles from St. Ignace, MI to Mackinac Island Harbor. The best parts of the trip have been the time our little crew have been together on Here and Now and what a crew it is...Admiral, First Mate ( and best mate ever!) Carolyn and Commander Willi (rumor has it there will be a final epidoge post from Willi), all the great people we have met along the way, and so many special stops I cannot begin to list. Thanks to all of our family and friends for staying in touch and a special thanks to all those who came and visited us on Here and Now along the way.
Over and Out
Be Safe.....
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