Mother nature turning a little mean...

     We left out of Keokuk, after waiting an extra day for high winds. Well of course, the winds decided to continue anyway. We were joined by Plane Relief, gold loopers headed south for the winter. And they had ordered in a truck for fuel, so we topped off as well at $2.85/gallon! We were also joined by the Lady Chateau, an 80' boat that is home to it's owner, and also a dinner cruise boat in the summers in MN. 

 Lady Chateau was in a hurry, and with the lock so close it was best to all leave together... so lines were off at 0600 (first light is about 0700) and down to Lock 19. We were a few miles downstream of the lock before daylight ever found us. And windy! Good grief it was still windy. Luckily it didn't work too bad against us in the 4 locks.

     We had a good day, following the other two. they ran slightly faster, but we were never more than 10 minutes behind. It was a south wind, so we still had temps near 80. For October 30th... that's pretty amazing :) And some beautiful scenery, which is the norm on the UMR!

     We got nestled in to Two Rivers Marina about 1630, so still had time for dinner outside with a sunset before I had to fire up the computer for Virtual Docktails, an AGLCA event we were signed up for.

 

     The next morning we waited for first light, but still an early start. After making over half way to Grafton we decided to push on, get there a day early, and have more time to enjoy Grafton. 

    We got off to a slow start, in that we had a 2 hour wait at Lock 24 for an upbound Towboat. Good thing was we were anchored through the small storm that blew in. Then off we went for Lock 25. 

    We ended up sharing the chamber with a kayak-er... now granted the waster has warmed slightly since we got further south...to a whole 61 degrees... but I can't believe anyone is this crazy :)

    He headed for shore after the lockage, he had to be freezing! We continued on to Grafton. Lady Chateau went on to Alton. Plain Relief stopped with us, and we met another couple from Nothing Else Matters and had a great dinner and some drinks at the Martini Bar up the street!

     I almost forgot, our landing pics! 

    Next time, we head on down to Alton, IL, sage cars for the trip home, and head back down the lower section of the UMR :)

Time to aim the pointy end toward warmer weather again!

     Monday we filled our water tanks, and headed out through Lock 15. We cruised a short 30 miles to just past Fairport, IA and anchored. Amy and I had anchored here northbound. Turns out it is a spot John and Kim use, and goes back in their family to his dad's boating days. We still had wonderful temps in the high 70's during the day, along with fall colors. You couldn't ask for a better day. 

    Tuesday we lingered, as there was a light shower blowing in. It was past by 10:15 and we weighed anchor and headed for lock 16. Amy and her dad got several great eagle shots today

     Just past Lock 16, we passed Muscatine, IA 

    We continued on toward Lock 17. Just before we passed a USCG bouy tender repairing a LDB daymark. By this time all the 1st class passengers had gathered on the aft deck to do 1st class passenger things! 

    Past lock 17, we continued on to an anchorage just above Keithsburg, IL. We still had plenty of great weather to enjoy on the aft deck, several landing drinks, great dinner, and cards after dark.

    Wednesday we took off earlier, bound for Navoo, IL. We locked through 18, and enjoyed the scenery past Burlington, IA.

    After a quick partial lift of the rail bridge, we continued on toward Ft. Madison, IA. Still plenty of beautiful fall colors, migrating birds, and of course, bald eagles!

    Ft. Madison's highlight is the combo rail/highway swing bridge. It happens to be one of the busiest train routes so getting an opening window is always a chore. We got right through today.

    As we continued on, more pretty colors, and also the camper that washed away in this summer's flod was still resting on the same sandbar as when we headed north. Surprised the locals didn't tip it up on dry land and make a hunting shack out of it or something! 

    As we passed the city of Navoo, IL I grabbed a couple shots of the temple in town. I guess the Mormon religion started here, before so many moving further west. I won't bore you with the details, a quick google search of Navoo history will bring you all you want to know and then some!

    We anchored for the night at Sheridan's Point, right in front of some friend's house. We had planned to get together for dinner, but ended up putting that off for a land visit. Amy's dad and I tried to fish a little... again heavy on the tried part. I even put out the steady sail to keep Toscana from swinging back and forth too much. Not even a bite! Oh well. I smoked a pork tenderloin and Amy's dad got some great shots of the sunset!

    

    Thursday morning, well the cold morning temps found us back again. I got up at 0500 and fired the generator so we could run some heat and charge batteries. We enjoyed breakfast at anchor. We only had 7 miles to go to dock back at Keokuk Yacht Club! We had staged my car, and her parents car at Keokuk. Amy's parents will return home from here. They got to see all of the Upper Mississippi from Lacrosse, WI to Alton, IL this year. 

    We met so many great folks here, John and Karen wanted to come back to cap off their second adventure here. We will hang here for a few days, move some cars around, then Amy and I will head for Grafton and Alton!