Great Loop 2/5

Cozy Restaurant and Comets in Clifton (#62)

Oct 172 min read

Cozy Restaurant and Comets in Clifton (#62)

Laura loves the inland waterways and the barges. We have a favorite youtube tug captain that let's us into the eyes of our partners on...

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Pivot to Pebble Isle Marina with Northern Lights (#61)

Sparkling Star

Oct 142 min read

Pivot to Pebble Isle Marina with Northern Lights (#61)

We had planned to go to another marina, but after hearing reports of low waters and a complicated entry we made a last minute pivoto to...

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Unexpected Beauty at Paris Landing State Park (#60)

Sparkling Star

Oct 111 min read

Unexpected Beauty at Paris Landing State Park (#60)

We traveled to Paris Landing at first light with glass-like water conditions. The entire ride was smooth and calm. We arrived in Paris...

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Big Lock & Racing for Barges to Green Turtle Bay (#59)

Sparkling Star

Oct 113 min read

Big Lock & Racing for Barges to Green Turtle Bay (#59)

Our trip into Green Turtle Bay from Paducah was an adventure. We left at first light from Paducah with three boats, and the second wave...

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Paducah Paradise - Food, History & Quilts (#58)

Sparkling Star

Oct 42 min read

Paducah Paradise - Food, History & Quilts (#58)

We were delighted to finally make the journey to Paducah. We had booked our slip a while back so we had a full three nights. After...

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First Anchoring in Muddy Mississippi at Little Diversion Channel (#57)

Sparkling Star

Oct 31 min read

First Anchoring in Muddy Mississippi at Little Diversion Channel (#57)

We successfully anchored on the Great Loop! We left early in the morning for our long trip (69 miles) to our anchorage in Little...

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Waiting out Storm at Kaskaskia Lock & Dam (#56)

Sparkling Star

Oct 12 min read

Waiting out Storm at Kaskaskia Lock & Dam (#56)

We spent three nights at Kaskaskia Lock and Dam waiting out the storm. We were well protected on a secure concrete pier and felt very...

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Large Flotilla to Hoppies Barge Stop (#55)

Sparkling Star

Sep 252 min read

Large Flotilla to Hoppies Barge Stop (#55)

Hoppies is a famous barge stop on the Loop. This fuel stop with electricity is that last stop for 208 miles which is the longest stretch...

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Covered Slip Preparing for Mississippi Leg in Alton, IL (#54)

Sparkling Star

Sep 251 min read

Covered Slip Preparing for Mississippi Leg in Alton, IL (#54)

Alton is a famous stop on the Loop as one of the last two legs to fill up for fuel before the long stretch of the Mississippi without...

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Gondolas and Roller Coasters at Grafton (#53)

Sparkling Star

Sep 201 min read

Gondolas and Roller Coasters at Grafton (#53)

We got a great spot right next to the shore in Grafton. Grafton Harbor was actively dredging the marina and told us we could only leave...

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Tying up to a Tug? No Problem - Beardstown Logston Tug Service (#52)

Sparkling Star

Sep 202 min read

Tying up to a Tug? No Problem - Beardstown Logston Tug Service (#52)

We had a 80 mile day to get the Beardstown Logston Tug Service. We decided to get up early to be able to reach Beardstown with a good...

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Too Shallow? Not for us this time! Peoria (#51)

Sparkling Star

Sep 181 min read

Too Shallow? Not for us this time! Peoria (#51)

We found ourselve alone at this stay because of the shallow entrance. Our draft (distance of boat under the water) is 3ft, but we always...

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Old Henry Lock Rock Wall Stop in Henry (#50)

Sparkling Star

Sep 152 min read

Old Henry Lock Rock Wall Stop in Henry (#50)

We left early with our four buddy boats at 7am to make our only lock of the day, Marseilles Lock , at 8am. We rafted up for an easy...

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Lock Wait and Inland Waterway Briefing in Ottowa (#49)

Sparkling Star

Sep 141 min read

Lock Wait and Inland Waterway Briefing in Ottowa (#49)

We started off the day at 6:30am with five boats ready to make it through the three locks easily. We had called the Lockmaster who said...

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Lowest Chicago Bridge, Inland Waterway Locks, and Joliet Wall (#48)

Sparkling Star

Sep 141 min read

Lowest Chicago Bridge, Inland Waterway Locks, and Joliet Wall (#48)

In order to be able to go down the Chicago waterway, your boat has to be able to fit under this 17'6" fixed bridge. We cleared it easily!...

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Cruising through Chicago - Part 2 (#47b)

Sparkling Star

Sep 141 min read

Cruising through Chicago - Part 2 (#47b)

We had a fabulous time seeing Chicago with Grayce. Laura liked Chicago the first time she came with work, and the second time with...

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Bumpy Trip to Chicago with Business Graduation - Part 1 (#47a)

Sparkling Star

Sep 82 min read

Bumpy Trip to Chicago with Business Graduation - Part 1 (#47a)

We looked for the best weather window we could find to go on our last trip on the Great Lakes from Racine to Chicago. We decided to go on...

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Frank Lloyd Wright, NYC, and Daughter at Racine (#46)

Sparkling Star

Sep 42 min read

Frank Lloyd Wright, NYC, and Daughter at Racine (#46)

We arrived at Racine Marina only to find out that the 30amp service did not work for us. If a power pedestal has the electricity outlets...

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Blue Water and Shopping at Port Washington Marina (#45)

Sparkling Star

Sep 12 min read

Blue Water and Shopping at Port Washington Marina (#45)

There are pictures that we take along our journey that look even more beautiful than we see in real life - like the pictures of the...

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Vegetarian Food Options in Manitowac (#44)

Sparkling Star

Aug 251 min read

Vegetarian Food Options in Manitowac (#44)

We made a brief one night stay in Manitowac to take advantage of another good weather day. We had dinner at Ryans on the York after...

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