Hoppies Marina, Kimmswick, Mo.

October 14, 2001 - Hoppies Marina, Kimmswick, Mo.

Finally the sun is out! We left Alton at 9:00 and right away had to go through the Melvin Price Lock - our first one with the floating bollard. Every day there seems to be at least one "first". First we tied to the wrong bollard - one that doesn't move, and the lock master hailed us and told us what to do. After we figured it out, it worked well. We had breakfast and left the Mississippi and entered the Chain of Rocks Channel, which was very narrow. The sun is out and it's very clear right now. Our eyes haven't seen the sun since Chicago, so they are stinging a bit. We approached the Chain of Rocks Lock about 10:30 as a tow is going through. We realized that there are 2 locks - one large and one small, side by side. A small coast guard boat and one other small boat entered the small lock with us. The wind was so strong that it wouldn't let us reach the bollard. We tried several times with no luck. Captain Bill decided to try the other side, so we moved the bumpers over, but the small boat couldn't hold on and was floating around where we were going to tie up, so we had to just free float. It was a little weird, but it turned out o.k. It started to rain again. Soon the horn sounded and gates opened, so we could exit this mess.

It's 11:00 and we're on our way to Hoppies Marina in Kimmswick Mo. - 26 miles away. My stomach is still doing flip flops. I'm so glad that the boat didn't get damaged in that last lock. Bill turned the furnace on again, as it is cold. Coming out of the channel the current of the Mississippi is fierce. The magnificent St. Louis Arch is in sight now and we took pictures. We have to watch for debris floating in the river, as there is a lot of it.

Every day we realize more and more how glad we are to have Bev and Tom along - pretty hard to do it all alone. I'm sure we will be able to after they leave tomorrow, but we surely appreciated their help and company.

We arrived at Hoppies at 1:00 p.m. and Hoppie, his wife Fern and a helper greeted us and helped us tie to their barge. We tied up right in front of "One Two Many" which had arrived yesterday. This is a very unusual place - very friendly and warm. We were advised that the shops about a quarter mile away were open today, but not on Monday. Needless to say, we left immediately for town and the shops. The Blue Owl Restaurant was recommended, so we had lunch there and it was delicious. After lunch we walked around this darling little town of Kimmswick feeling like we were in the last century. We found lots of patriotic items and bought most of them. Locals told us how they had staved away the casinos that wanted to come nearby. I think it was a good idea, as the casino would certainly have changed this quaint town. People travel here to eat and shop from all over. The shops closed at 5:00 and we walked back to the boat. I can't believe Hoppies Marina - they even have a pay phone and a computer hook up. Even the most fancy marinas don't have those amenities.

Bev and Tom are leaving tomorrow. We are renting an Enterprise car and taking them back to the St. Louis Airport, so they can pick up their Hertz rental car. They will drive back to St. Joe. Monday, and leave on Thursday for the Lopez wedding in Pinehurst. We will sure miss them.