No Wifi no blog ! Onto the famous Hoppies Marine Service! Stop!

Hi F and F, 

We are no going into no wifi territory with next three stops .

Weather is projected to be very hot the next few days also, in the mid 90's!

Last night we called the Alton lock just outside this Marina at Alton we are staying in.

Look good and indeed it was, we got out and straight into the lock early morning around  7.45 am.

The depth distance was only three feet , so very easy.We passed tough the Chain orf Rocks ( onimous sounding name!) just after a big sign pointing to a left side small channel, steering. Us away from some rapids on the main river route.The next lock was an hour wait .

For techies, we were doing 3 gallons an hour , 12.2 miles per hour at 890 rpms on much of this journey.

Remember the current was assisting us , but pretty good for our boat. We are a full planning hull  and most of the other boats either semi planning or displacement.

We got to pass th famous Lewis and Clark inspired Gateway Arch which dominates the St Louis City skyline.

TThe city was named after Louis 1X and was founded by French fur traders.The French owned the territory and it was sold to the US as part of the Luoisiana Purchase in 1803 .

When Lewis and Clark returned after two years in the Pacific  with the Corps of Duscovery  , St Loius became the gateway to the West.

Also learned that Mark Twain was a river pilot on the Mississippi River in the 1800's. So he was sailing the same waters as us, although not in such luxurious conditions .

The water became more turbulent after passing this way and also more debris to avoid.

There were also several barges just anchored mid stream which we needed to avoid  and this kept  us alert  for a lot of the journey .

We arrived at Hoppies which is like a Loopers Mecca.Fern and  Hoppie ( her husband ) have  run this real institution and "Floating Marina" for a longtime.

It consists of three hundred foot barges joined together and tied with cables into a high stone cliff on the side of the river.

In the center is a seating area where Fern holds her famous daily late afternoon information sessions she offers to the boaters.

She gives expert advice on all aspects of cruising down the river, including the best anchoring spots and information on the locks.Both Fern and her husband are in their 80's .

Picture this lovely kind lady sitting there with her pack of cigarettes, several front teeth missing and filling us in with all the info and patiently answering all our questions , and she has been doing this same thing for umpteen years. Amazing!

Did a quick fuel up, as this is the last fuel stop for  many miles. Then docked on one of the barges, built n 1949! 

Within walking distance is a cute town called Kimmswick. So before Ferns talk, we went for a walk to area. Kimmswick is the second oldest town in Missouri.

Lots of little boutiques and the famous Blue Owl Restaurant where everybody goes for breakfast, lunch  or dinner. But everything was closed today as they are shut on Mondays. We did see lots of old log cabins that have been restored,and a museum which was interesting. And also we walked over a lovely old beautifully made wooden bridge ,to get into the town.

Dinner on board and our old flotilla ( we and Lucky Ducks were joined by our mates who had stayed on in Grafton ) retired for the night.

Over and out, 

E and G.