The Great Loop

This web site is an attempt to provide a quick and easy way for our family and freinds to keep up with us on "The Loop"

The Great Loop is a 6000 mile jouney down the Tennessee River and the Tombigbee Waterway to Mobile, Alabama. From there around the coast of Florida via Key West with a side trip to the Bahamas. Back to the coast of Florida we head up the east coast to the Chesapeake Bay. From the Chesapeake we continue up the east coast through New York Harbour, up the Hudon River, and across the Erie Canal. Through a series of canals we go across Lake Ontario into Canada. We will spend a month in Canada. Back to the US, we will cross Lake Michigan to Chicago. Following the Illinois, Mississippi, Ohio, and Cumberland Rivers back to Tennesse.


LOOP CLOSED: 8/12/09: 310 days, 6170 miles, 107 locks, 3 countries, 16 states, 85 different marinas, 10,050 gallons of diesel fuel, thousands of photos, countless new friends, and priceless memories...

Monday, August 3, 2009

Grafton, IL

Here is the birthday boy ready to go bright and early. As we get ready to depart the IVY Club.



Here we pass by downtown Peoria...

Peoria is the home for Caterpillar, hugh facility...
More industrial as we move down the Illinois river...

Have you see enough barges, bridges, and locks yet? Hugh barges...


An hour wait at this lock - pretty normal wait...

There are fish that jump in your wake. Some actually jump in the boat. These guys are trying to shoot the flying fish with a bow and arrow!
Did we make a wrong turn? Are we already to cuba? How about Havana, IL...
We finally hit a lock just right. The lock was ready to close and we slide right in. Finally!!

These guys are just hanging out on the job. Probably doing a bridge inspection.
More industy and barges...


Again some of these tugs seem to miss a turn...

We passed several of these car ferries that go back and forth across the Illinois River.

Here's the birthday boy partying with these kids. One of the kids happen to have the same birthday as Don. Happy Birthday Don!!!

While Don party's down, I hang out with Big Bird...

A long day, 150 miles and 2 locks. This took us to the end of the Illinois River and the start of the Mississippi tomorrow!
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