Great Loop: St. Louis and on to Hoppies!

-

This is a turn that you don't want to miss.  It is the entrance to the Chain of Rocks Canal.  If you go left, you live and continue on through the Chain of Rocks Lock.  If you go right, you die in the Chain of Rocks Rapids.  Go Left young man, GO LEFT!



In October 2021, this sailboat went right rather than LEFT at the critical intersection.
It did not end well.




Here's a screen shot showing our convoy headed down the Chain of Rocks Canal


Saint Louis Missouri



The Saint Louis waterfront with an Amtrak train just leaving the station.



The old and the new on the waterfront



The first railroad bridge to span the Mississippi River in Saint Louis.  It was built in 1874, just about 150 years ago.





Amy Marie is approaching the Gateway Arch
It is impressive when seen in person



Amy Marie at the Gateway Arch



Amy Marie passing Saint Louis on it's way to Hoppies Marina, Kimmswick Missouri



A river cruise boat stopped in Saint Louis


Today's Goal:  

Levee High Apple Pie - Blue Owl,  Kimmswich Missouri



The Goal.
Keep your eye on the target!

Hoppies Marina, Kimmswich Missouri



This home of Fred Anheuser, of Budweiser fame, is located in Kimmswick Missouri



Our convoy is tied to the barges at Hoppies Marina
The owner of the Marina does an evening briefing on what to expect in the over 200 miles to Paducah Kentucky.



Beth with a good selection of Tugs docked behind her
There are 3 Ranger Tugs, a Nordic Tug, and a Lord Nelson Victory Tug



A home in Kimmswich



One of the main reasons for visiting Kimmswich
They serve a tasty meal and have great desserts




Before getting seated, Mike previews the dessert selection



The Looper Crew



Mikes goes bug eyed anticipating dessert



The crew of Amy Marie at lunch



There are many fine homes in Kimmswich
It is a very walkable town



The Kimmswich Post Office



The town has preserved many of their historical structures



An early home from the mid-1800's



Mike and Beth



Yolo has left the dock
 


The Crew of Titan preparing for an early morning departure






Ready to depart Hoppies Marina early in the morning
Destination Cape Girardeau

_________________________________________________________________

Berthing Information

  • We berthed at Hoppies Marina.
  • Phone: 636-467-6154
  • They have fuel and electrical hook ups
  • This is the last spot to fuel until you get to Paducah Kentucky, ~ 220 miles away.

Track Log





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Summer 2024: Amy Marie Returns to the Pacific Northwest

-
Image
Kingston Washington Waterfront The majestic terrain and contrast of mountains, forests, and water have lured us back to the Pacific Northwest for another summer of cruising.  It is simultaneously peaceful and powerful.  It is the essence of harmony until a storm arrives and then it is the chaos and fury of wind, rain, and tumultuous seas.  All attract us to visit.  We are outdoor people and spend as much time as possible outside.  However nothing, with the exception of backpacking, has ever brought us continuously closer to nature than boating the PNW.   It's second virtue is it ability to slow and focus your life.  The stress of city living melts away as soon as we splash the boat.  The many competing electronic connections of our overly intrusive push communication world are put on hold.  It is such a relief.  Have we perhaps overdone it?  Instead the focus is on weather, sea conditions, tides, currents, winds, provisioning, ...
Read more

Amy Marie Visits: The Day the Diesel Died...

-
Image
Every boater dreads the day their trusty diesel quits singing its sweet tune.  We experienced this once before in a boat with twin diesels.  Much less drama as you can easily travel on a single engine.  Amy Marie is equipped with one diesel, any unexpected stoppage is cause for concern.  Especially when you are in the middle of a bay in Desolation Sound with eight hundred feet of water under the keel.  You can't just drop the anchor and begin troubleshooting.  You drift at the whim of the currents and wind. Once a diesel is running, only one thing will cause it to cease operation.  That is the lack of fuel.  Combustion occurs as the piston compresses air to a temperature sufficient to ignite the diesel fuel that is injected into the combustion chamber.  Our task was to discover why the engine was experiencing fuel starvation.  The most common reason is contaminated fuel which can cause fuel filters to become clogged and prevent fuel from...
Read more

Great Loop: Jungle Cruise - Hontoon State Park

-
Image
Cruising Dead River near Hontoon State Park Great Loop:  Hontoon State Park – Jungle Cruise March 22 nd , 2022 It all began with a conversation on the dock.  We stopped to talk with a fellow on a Rosborough trailerable trawler.  He is retired and volunteering for a couple of months at Hontoon State Park on the St. John’s River.  As we always do, we made his acquaintance and inquired  about what fun or interesting things there are to do locally.  Mast is in the Down Position The conversation ended with “Can you get your air draft down to 10’ or less, I’m taking family out for a cruise around Hontoon Island tomorrow, would you are welcome to follow along?”  “We’ll be following a dead branch of the St. John’s River and it’s full of wildlife.” Why a 10’ air draft I asked.  Well for the overhanging trees was the reply.  Our Ranger Tug, being trailerable, has a fold down mast.  We can reduce our air draft to 9’.  We were in! We foll...
Read more