We're on the Mississippi River.

Sailboats on the Mississippi River this morning. 

We left Grafton and cruised 16 miles to Alton down the Mississippi River this morning.  The wind was blowing more than it has.  There were a good many folks out.  We saw the two sailboats in the photo, several duck hunters moving in camouflaged bass boats to their blinds, and three tows pushing 9 barges each.  One tow came by us soon after we entered the river.  The other two were going south with us.  They were just moving at about 4 mph, so we needed to pass them.  George called them, and 

they told us which side to pass.  It takes a while to get beside them and then to move ahead.  We do not want to pull in front even though we are traveling at 9 mph.  For a while we had a tow/barge/Aunt Aggie sandwich configuration: one tow behind us and one in front.  It was nerve-wracking. 

We passed a tow on the "one" and then had to move across the water

to pass this guy on the "two." 

Alton Marina is a great spot with a pool, hot tubs, and covered slips.  We are here with Gud Nuff,
Nuclear Fishin, and Debt Finder. We've had good chats with all of them today.  We walked to town
(1 mile) and went to Mac's sports bar to watch the GA Tech/Duke game.  We are back to our usual position as suffering Tech fans.  After the game we went across the street to the public library and read magazines.  What a pleasure!

The street is blocked for a 1960s class party tonight.

Back at the marina we had some quiet time:  I read and George plotted more courses for us on Active Captain, getting us all the way from Hoppie's to Green Turtle Bay Marina.  We appreciate this calm day.  Tomorrow we will go to Hoppie's and meet Fern and Hoppie.  Can't wait!  Then it's down the Mississippi River, three nights at anchor, two major locks on the Ohio River, and into the Cumberland River at Green Turtle Bay.  This feels like a time to store up quiet before we work hard for four days.