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 they would hold the lock if we got there quickly. After the long wait the day before, we all decided to leave early to make the lock.

We had three locks that day. The first two went smoothing. The third one required a 3.5 hour wait. We all were able to anchor, but it was a long wait. This was our first anchoring of the Loop.

The waiting delayed us from our early arrival for our planned fuel stop. The marina hosts a fabulous Inland Waterway briefing, and our late arrival and needing fuel delayed the 8 Loopers. We started at 5:45pm and eneded aroud 7:30pm. We then had a dinner and went back to our boat on the marina. We were exhausted, and had an early day planned the next day.

Stay: 1 night

Heritage Harbor Marina

Ottowa, Illinois

Pros: Great dockhands, priceless 90 minute Inland Waterway briefing, clean and friendly marina

Cons: Restaurant

Rating: 4 stars