Finally on the move

Left Grafton this morning. Mel Price lock at Alton was difficult! The entrance was blocked by huge logs and we got caught in a vacuum along the starboard wall. Had trouble getting out of that and scraped the side of our boat a bit. 

After that we had an easy time getting through the Chain of Rocks lock. We zig zagged through the St. Louis area dodging debris and dozens of towboats. It was stressful all day- we didn't dare take our eyes off the river. 

Our hardy little fleet of 6 made it safely to Hoppies in Kimmswick, MO. 

We all enjoyed a late lunch at the Blue Owl-- good home cooking. 

This evening Fern Hopkins taught us a LOT about the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers that we will be traveling in the next few days. She is amazing! She and Hoppie have been running this marina for almost 41 years- and before they took it over they worked with Hoppie's father- this marina has been family-owned since the 1930's. We are tied to several barges which are tied to 2 sunken Civil War era gunboats. How cool is that?

We will be up early tomorrow to reach our anchorage 110 miles from here. No locks and a hefty current will help us get there.