Where do I pick up???

 ...it's been over a week since I blogged last!!!  When we left Alton there was no wifi...so no blog till Green Turtle Marina.  And boat cleaning…and maintenance…and partying took priority!  I'm currently in a van with ten other screaming Loopers headed for Nashville!   So I'll try to catch you up...but rather all in one post let me break it up.  Ok, been back from Nashville and left Green Turtle…still no blog!  It is incredibly hard to find the time…really...hard to believe…but true!!!

The Hop to Hoppies – 9/28/12

From Alton we made the day's long jump to Hoppie's.  Getting held up an hour at the Mel Price Lock didn't help matters much.  

Mel Price Lock

Chain of Rocks Lock

After all that Lock'n around we were treated to a nice view of the St. Louis Arch!  The sun came out at exactly the right moment for pictures!!

Hoppie's for those that don't know is a Mississippi river institution.  For a number of reasons...it's the last fuel stop for 250 miles...it's this rag-tag strung together group of barges that serves as the dock...and owner Fern is considered the River Queen.  Every evening Fern gives a 'chart talk' detailing the ever changing river conditions, where we can anchor and what to look out for.  She is quite a character!

Hoppie's

Queen Fern

Better be paying attention!

Queen Fern and her court!

Last Leg on the Ole Mississip – 9/29/12

We left Hoppie's bright and early to get down to our first anchorage, Rockwood Island.  Because of low water, silting and work being down at the Kaskaski Lock this was our only potential anchorage (according to Fern) in 140 miles.  Turned out to be a super one.  Sunny day on the river arriving Rockwood late afternoon.  Got to try out the new Manson Supreme super anchor!!  Dropped it in and bang...dug in!!  We were joined first by two boats...who anchored up and joined us on Catmandu for appees and some drinks.  Then a 50' cruiser came in with a bunch of drunken Canadians and asked us over...so we did and before long we were all of the same mind.  Name of their boat is Wreckless...and they are (minus the 'W').  No, it and they are a lot of fun.

Leaving Hoppie's

Fog on the River

Put that red on your port Admiral!

Five wide x six long!

This boy missed the channel and ran aground!

He's the little triangle on the left...totally missed it!

At anchor in Rockwood

Chill'n to Jimmy B

Party moved to Wreckless

Chris making new friends

Next run was a 100 miles to Angelos Towhead.  Angelos Tow is located just above the Ohio River near Cairo, IL.  We were all concerned about making it before dark...especially us...the slowest boat in the pack.  Wreckless rocketed ahead and turns out we did well too.  With the current we were averaging in the high 9 mph and at times 11+ mph!!!  Wow...the bank was a blur!!!  We got there and Harold on Wreckless, anchored up for hours, came out in his dingy and helped use get moved more forward (than Fern recommended) in the anchorage avoiding shallows and snags assuring room for all.  Then the wind began to blow and it started to rain.  No party tonight!

Earlier bird gets to Cairo!

Mississippi River Mud on my anchor!

Speeding along!!!!!