July 8, 2022
Friday
Somewhere south of St Louis on the Illinois side
RM 172
1170 miles completed
I paddled 30 miles.
I resumed my S2S (Source To Sea) paddle today. I resumed from the place I stopped last November…Sonny Hankins’ houseboat at Alton Marina, Alton Illinois.
I locked through at Melvin Price dam without a wait, even though there were tugs and barges backed up and waiting up and down the river. The reason I didn’t wait is because they have a small lock that the barges can’t use. I got to take the left descending.
Then I took the portage route to the chain of rocks. It was about 300 yards and not very difficult. But it was very hot. I took a lunch break.
It was really peaceful because for about 8 miles there were no barges, because the barges have to take the canal and go through a lock.
So there are no more locks and dams.
There are lots of barges. Parked barges can run over you just like moving barges when the current is moving this fast. Just past St. Louis I encountered a group of parked barges that extended clear out to the middle of the river. A tug boat with no barges came by going up river and then reversed and backed up to where I was and sounded his horn several times. They were all out on deck watching me. I’m sure they we’re trying to get me on the radio to warn me not to get sucked under those barges. But I was already moving out into the channel to miss them. I was clear of the barges before I got within a quarter mile. I guess they were relieved.
I found a muddy beach on the left side descending. A thunderstorm came up and I waited it out with raincoat and umbrella. Then I set up camp and fixed supper.
I slept in my tent.
Good to see you back at it my friend!