While in New Buffalo, Captain Fix It (yes he is on board again) was checking things in the engine room and discovered one of the 4 new batteries, that were installed just prior to us purchasing the boat, was running significantly hotter than the other three. We contacted the Interstate Rep who had a local dealer bring us a new battery the next morning.
Looper friends, Dave & Michele from Just Us, now live on their boat full time in Florida. They were coming back by car to Michigan and stopped by to see us. It was great to see them again!
It was awesome to still have access to Lake Michigan for a dinghy ride and a swim on a very hot, 90 something, Julyish day.
Friday morning we had a 2 hour run of 40 miles across the bottom of Lake Michigan and entered the Calumet River near Hammond, Indiana. Due to the high water levels in the Great Lakes, we had to have several bridges lift to allow us through that we would have fit under at normal pool level. Thirty miles later we again turned left (this is beginning to feel like NASCAR) onto the Illinois River. It was a 2 lock & 1 electric fish barrier day by the time we reached our destination of the free wall at Joliet.
Saturday morning we left by 7am with 5 other Loop boats and quickly locked through our 1st lock of the day. The 2nd lock, 22 miles later, was a different story. Due to Tow traffic we had to wait 4 hours before passing through. While waiting we dropped anchor and Captain Slave Driver put us to work on waxing the boat. Waxing in 102 degree temps is not the first mate's idea of a good time. Our 3rd and final lock of the day went much quicker so we were able to reach our destination of Heritage Harbor in Ottawa, IL before sunset. It was a long, hot day.
Due to lack of rain, both the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers are very low, so we will battle this as we travel down the rivers. We stayed in Ottawa a couple days due to high temps (nice swimming pool and good dinghy ride to town) and barge congestion downstream where they are doing emergency dredging.
Friday morning we had a 2 hour run of 40 miles across the bottom of Lake Michigan and entered the Calumet River near Hammond, Indiana. Due to the high water levels in the Great Lakes, we had to have several bridges lift to allow us through that we would have fit under at normal pool level. Thirty miles later we again turned left (this is beginning to feel like NASCAR) onto the Illinois River. It was a 2 lock & 1 electric fish barrier day by the time we reached our destination of the free wall at Joliet.
Saturday morning we left by 7am with 5 other Loop boats and quickly locked through our 1st lock of the day. The 2nd lock, 22 miles later, was a different story. Due to Tow traffic we had to wait 4 hours before passing through. While waiting we dropped anchor and Captain Slave Driver put us to work on waxing the boat. Waxing in 102 degree temps is not the first mate's idea of a good time. Our 3rd and final lock of the day went much quicker so we were able to reach our destination of Heritage Harbor in Ottawa, IL before sunset. It was a long, hot day.
Due to lack of rain, both the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers are very low, so we will battle this as we travel down the rivers. We stayed in Ottawa a couple days due to high temps (nice swimming pool and good dinghy ride to town) and barge congestion downstream where they are doing emergency dredging.
Foggy morning thru Grand Haven channel
Captain Adorable at the helm
New Buffalo
Friends Dave & Michele
Calm morning out of New Buffalo to cross Lake Michigan
Electric fish barrier
Wall at Joliet
Captain loves his new dinghy and lift!
Heritage Harbor Marina
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