Aug. 19

Henry (Town of) to Peoria IL 28 miles 


Well we made another day.  Today we got up at a leisurely time of 8 EDT however that is only 7 local time.  We have not tried to change the Navigation systems to Central time as it is a pain to change back some time.  So the boat is always an hour early per GPS.  This really is not a problem except when some one asks our ETA.  Then I find I usually have to correct myself.  Had some leftover donut holes with coffee for breakfast that has turned out great.  The ride today was repeat of yesterdays minus the lock.  There was one other change which was the wind.  I would assume we are just above a lock and dam here and the lake is big.  The wind was 11 mph and straight up the length.  So it was light sporting.  


The boat we stayed at the marina with last night left long before we we out of bed about  first light at 5:30.  This was surprise to as there is only man boat.  He is navigating from what I could see with charts.  The lake which is at least 6 miles long and 3 miles wide has a very narrow channel in the center that wonders around some.  At one of the bend we found him grounded.  I could not get my boat in to him but he said was fine and was waiting for help to come so we moved on.  In the canoe we would often find shallow stuff but here I was really careful to watch the sonar depth and position on the chart.  I did notice Dianne was more awake after that experience.  


The Marina where we stopped (Illinois Yacht Club) is really nice with a bar and high end restaurant to eat in tonight.  The Ribs last night were great and cooking outside kept the inside of the boat nice and cool.  The AC works great and blowing cold air directly into the sleeping area.  When the sun shines down on the boat and it 90F out it would have to at least 3 times bigger.  However it does the job required in keeping the boat comfortable to sleep and work in.

What we saw today

  • 12 small boats fishing
  • 1 commercial fishing boat with a two man crew tending fish traps
  • 1 tow I had to work my way around
  • 1 two with no barges that made the happy as it got to bounce around but not Dianne
  • 3 flocks of egrets
  • 2 flocks of pelican (note also saw numerous singles of both but the flocks are so big there is no point in counting the singles)
  • 2 white geese
  • 2 bald eagles
  • 2 dead heads in the water.  (for none boating types logs with only one  end showing above the water)   One of the Dead heads was marked with a fender and thought about going out and wrapping it, however like the grounded boat it was just not a good place to go in)
  • 5 bridges
  • 2 small towns


Note this old tow boat or stern wheeler not sure which is now the Fan Tail Restaurant.  



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