We Passed Wagenblast for the Third Time in Five Days
Yesterday we came upon a mallard and her two ducklings. All of a sudden the duck feigned a broken wing and quickly swam towards the left descending bank. In rapid succession she got airborne and an eagle swooped down and started chasing her. Last we saw, the ducklings were paddling furiously towards Missouri while their mother was trying to loose the eagle in the woods of Illinois.
A Wing Dam by any Other Name Would Still be as Dangerous
This morning, and within five minutes of each other, a deer and beaver swam from left to right across our bow (i.e. from Illinois to Missouri). There must be an animal convention in Missouri today.
Waiting On the Wall of Shame Outside Lock 25, Our Last Mississippi Lock
Nellie's hard left turn onto the Illinois marks a major milestone: the end of her 1,500 mile Mississippi adventure. It's also the end of running downstream and averaging 10 mph. I'm afraid that while going up the Illinois we'll be thrilled to make 6 mph.
Looking North at the Confluence of the Illinois (right) into the Mississippi (left).
Mile marker 218 on the Upper Mississippi is where the Illinois begins, i.e. Illinois mile marker 0. This is also the location of Grafton, IL and its epyonomous marina in which Nellie is currently moored. On Wednesday we'll start towards Chicago, some 333 river miles away.
A total of 67 miles today and 566 miles for the journey. DBH
