Limestone Cliffs North of Alton
During yesterday's tour of the Mel Price Lock and Dam, our guide explained how Tainter gates work to slow the river's flow.
Cross Section of a Tainter Gate
He then told us about a guy that rented a jetski and with it got too close to the dam. Both rider and jetski were sucked under one of the Tainter gates. Luckily both popped up down stream relatively unscathed. As the tour was nearing its conclusion the guide asked if there were any questions. I asked if the jet skier got his deposit back...
Today's Choice: Right on the Illinois River to Chicago or Left on the Mississippi to Minneapolis
Just because a boat can go there doesn't mean it's a place you want to be. So how can the discerning cruiser differentiate between the two? Allow me to put forth the Pontoon Metric. Every time we saw lots of pontoon boats it was a place we enjoyed. Both the Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers are prime examples. The absence of pontoon boats is also telling. For example, in the last 260 miles there wasn't a single pontoon boat. True to form, this isn't an area I need to cruise again. Good news, there are lots and lots of pontoon boats between here and Minneapolis!
There's still a small diesel leak from the bottom of the injector pump. Next up, tightening the fuel cutoff solenoid.
Alton to Port Charles Harbor
We considered jumping off on the Illinois River and heading to Chicago, but that's in next year's itinerary. So, we hung a left and continued the Mississippi. Nellie is safely tried to the guest dock at Port Charles Harbor, MM 221. It was a short 21 mile day. The total for the trip is now 3,599 miles. DBH
