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!
