First High Mileage Day on the River

October 7, 2001 - First High Mileage Day on the River

Early a.m., Sunday the 7th - Tom prayed and Bill was on his knees for an hour trying to get the generator going. We thought we might have to use a wire and a rubber band to hold us together and get heat. We finally departed at 8:45, after waving good-bye to all the friendly people on the dock. Arrived at the Starved Rock Lock and waited along side a very narrow spot while a North bound tow pushed his 3 wide barge through, which took up the whole lock. Then the green light signaled that we could enter. Friendly lock hands and an easy descent - calm winds and sunny skies made this lock a "cake walk". What a difference a day makes. Bev and I cleaned up the galley - baked turtle brownies, and did my video walking routine. We're on our way to Peoria Illinois and the Eastport Marina. We went about 70 miles today. It's still quite cool and we have the furnace on. Oh yes, we've had several hundred seagulls following us all afternoon.