La Grange to Grafton

Leaving La Grange Lock

We slept in a bit at La Grange thinking there would be fog. We got up about 6:45 and found a clear sunrise. So we made breakfast and prepared to depart for Grafton, IL.

The trip to Grafton was pretty uneventful. Well after we got away from the anchorage that is. As we were moving towards the main channel, the keel of the boat struck something, something heavy and somewhat stationary. The boat was jarred enough that things flew off the salon table, mainly our coffee cups from morning breakfast. I checked the keel bolts to make sure we weren't taking on water. All was well so we continued on. Thankfully we have a keel that protects the propeller. We have heard a couple of reports of Loopers striking submerged objects and damaging their prop(s).

We passed a couple of car ferries along the way

The river begins to widen as you get closer to the Grafton and the Mississippi River. We are starting to see more hills and the river valley is more pronounced.

We had a freeloader for about 20 minutes

As we approached Grafton we heard on the VHF and announcement from the Coast Guard about the Mel Price Lock on the Mississippi River, the first lock we need to go through on the Mississippi. The announcement said the lock was closed until further notice. I called the lock and they said they did not have a date for re-opening, it could be days. We heard a report that it could be closed until Sept 10. Then we heard another report of a couple of days. We are hoping for a couple of days.

I like sharing quotes I see along the way.
"Time is like a river. You cannot touch the same water twice, because the water that has passed will never pass again. Enjoy the current moment of your life."

Lesson Learned: You can't control the weather or the operations of the Locks.