PEORIA, IL TO BEARDSTOWN, IL

Friday, September 18th to Saturday, September 19th, 2015

Day 410-411

Miles Traveled on Saturday: 80

Total Miles Traveled: 6440


  Due to predicted thunderstorms, we stayed at the IVY Club Marina on Friday.  It was a nice relaxing day.  Before the rain started, we went to the No Wake Zone for lunch and had a great thin crust pizza.

  Saturday we woke up early at 5:30 am and left just before 7:00 am.  Our only lock for the day was the Peoria Lock.  We made it just in time for lock ahead of a downbound tow boat.  We were surprised when the lockmaster advised that we could just float in the lock as we dropped down the 10 feet.

floating in Peoria Lock

  Just before the water had dropped to its desired level, the lockmaster hailed us on the VHF and advised us that a hydraulic hose that operates the lower gates had just blown.  He was going to try and open the gates far enough so that we could exit the lock.  Luck was in our favor, and, the right gate was able to open all the way giving us plenty of room to exit the chamber. 

  We had a beautiful cruise down the Illinois River.   The day started out cloudy and cool, but, by the end of the day there was sun with white puffy clouds.

blue skies and the Illinois River

  With the current in our favor, we were able to go between 9.5 - 10 mph the entire day.  Usually we are only able to go about 8 mph.  We took advantage of the "push" and covered a lot of miles.  We bypassed our planned stop at Havana, IL and moved on to Beardstown, IL.  There is a tug boat company there called Logsdon Tug Service that allows transient vessels to tie up to the barges that are not needed for the day and evening.  There was not water or electric, but, it was walking distance to the town.  In addition, we didn't have to hassle with finding a good anchorage.  The Illinois River is not very deep and finding an anchorage deep enough out of the channel can be challenging.

"Seahorse" tied up to barge at Logsdon Tug Service

  While relaxing before dinner, the Spirit of Peoria sternwheeler passed by playing its calliope.  We heard it was cruising to St. Louis, MO. 

  We took a walk into Beardstown.  Not much to be found there.  We went in hunt for the Mexican restaurants which we were told were in town.  We found one, only to find it closed.  The second we were unable to locate.  So, we returned to the boat and ate leftovers while gazing upon a beautiful sunset.