On Our Way to the Other Ottawa

Well it is now Tues. the 4th of Sept.  Everyone on all the other boats got up early, including me, to get a 7:30AM start.  Some of the boat were going to stay another day in Joliet but most were moving.  It was going to be another long, hot day.  Next To Me, Toucan, Paddy Wagon and Rickshaw and us The Last Resort all left in a Looper's flotilla. Rickshaw had called the lock and they said that there was a barge in it and it would be one hour, so we left Joliet at 8:30AM. We had three lock to go through. The Brandon Lock & Dam was the first at mile 286.0.  The day again was turning out to be a hot one with little breeze. The next locks was 14.5 miles down stream at the Dresden Lock & Dam at mile 271.5. Here we had to wait awhile till a barge cleared and then we all could get in with the tug going down to pick up the other half of his load.  The waterways were uneventful and not much to see other than dirty water.  Long gone is the clean waters of Lake Michigan. The next lock was 26.9 miles down stream at Marseilles Lock at mile 244.6. All the locks were very helpful and easy to get in and out of.  A lot bigger than the Trent Severn and the Erie systems.  It was only 2.3 miles to Heritage Harbor Marina.  We were enjoying the cruising so much we missed the entrance.... As we were all entering the harbour Rickshaw said that they were touching, so we all went in very slow.  And then there was those flying fish, the Asian Carp.  They were flying behind all the boats in their wakes.  The one time I did not take my camera with me.... The Marina was so nice.  it looks fairly new and great docks and cable TV.  The staff, especially Capt. Moe, were so amazing also.   After we were all settled in we took our drinks up to the pool and had a swim.  Nice pool and so refreshing and so needed after such a hot and very humid day.  Talked for the longest time in the pool.  Did not want to leave it.  There was a beautiful sunset that nite and the stars were out.



 Had a lite dinner at the restaurant Tracey's  at the Marina.  Nice looking little restaurant with a nice outside patio.  Dinner was just okay. Came back to the boat and watched part of the leadership convention before retiring for the nite.

 

The next morning, Wed. the 5th of Sept. we were planning to leave Ottawa and continue to head down stream.  The weather was over cast and they were calling for so severe weather and possible hail and thunderstorms.  Don checked his radar and the whole area did not look great, so we decided to stay another nite.  The Marina supplied a curtiosy car for us to use to pick up thing.  Bruce and Bev from Paddy Wagon needed supplies to so off we went.  We picked up a new carpet for the living room and some food and wine and beer, and lots of water.  back at the boat we were all to meet on Toucan for cocktails and hors oeuvre's at 5:30/6:00 ish.  I first wanted to see Jim and Belinda's boat Rickshaw.  A beautiful boat with so much room, and a great kitchen area.  One of the best parts of doing this journey is the end of the day and drinks with other Looper's and sharing stories.  After cocktails we went back to the boat for awhile and then a quick bite at the restaurant.  Better toniet than the nite before.  Watched Clinton's speech on TV and then called it a nite.