There are two tows pushing barges in this photo.
In the foreground is a tow pushing barges filled with sand.
Behind is the larger set of barges with its tow.
We are sitting on the side, trying to stay out of their way as they exit the lock.
Our day began in industrial Joliet and ended in rural Ottawa, Illinois. We slept well on the wall even though the Michael C, an industrious tow, pushed at least three loads past us during the night.
We called Brandon Road Lock at 6:30 am to ask for passage down. The lock master said he had a tow in the lock with a double load of barges, a three hour process. We agreed to come at 8:30 am. We needed to wait for the drawbridge, which is closed from 7:30 - 8:30 am. There is nowhere to wait at the Brandon Road Lock, so we wanted to be sure he would take us into the lock. We called him again at 8:20, and he said yes, we were next. However, it would probably be 9:00 am before we could enter, but come on down.
As we approached the lock, we could see that it was open, and a tow was ready to exit. Slowly it did move out. We called and asked if we could enter. "No," the lock master said. "There's a second tow and barges in there too." Sure enough, here came the tow, pushing barges loaded with sand. One barge went left to the bank. The other went straight to the bridge. We sat on the other side, waiting for the green light.
After that lock we motored on the Des Plaines River through tight spots with barges lining the river.
We passed factories of all types. Around 11:00 we approached the Dresden Lock. Right before Dresden Lock, the Kankakee River joins the Des Plaines. They form the Illinois River. We waited in the river while they turned the lock around for us. Even though we call when we are about 2 miles away, they will not prepare the lock until they see us. So we have to sit and wait. George has gotten really good at this. If we are in an open place without much current or other boats, it is not stressful.
After Dresden Lock we had lunch in the salon before going back to the fly bridge. The day was sunny, and the fly bridge was a cheery spot. We were just finishing lunch when we got a call on the radio. "Aunt Aggie, I am approaching you and will pass you on the two. This is Omar." Omar, a tow, had seen our boat on his AIS, which we had turned on upstairs. We were not looking at ours, so we didn't know he was two bends in the river from us.
Omar was pushing 12 barges - 3 x 4.
The current was a big help on the Illinois River. We were driving 10.5 mph all afternoon. Woohoo!
See the current moving water around the channel marker?
We had expected to reach our marina at 5:00 pm after our late start and three locks. (At the end of the day we went through the Marseilles Lock too.) However, with the push from the current on the Illinois River, we got here at 3:15. We had a pump out and borrowed the courtesy car to go to Kroger. What a blessing to be in a marina with real service. Even though we still are without looper companions, we feel like we are on vacation today.
We saw lots of duck blinds along the rivers. If we were here on
Saturday, would they be shooting around us?
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