Good morning, Lock Buddies!  We are planning to get up early and hope we can get an early lock through at the Mel Price Lock and the Chain of Rocks Lock ( #27 ).  Fingers crossed!!  We can see the lock from our back door.  Surely, that will give us an advantage?

Covered Docks – Always Home under cover

We were drinking our cup of coffee when we heard on the VHF someone asking about a pleasure craft locking through.  I called the Lock Master and he told me that “come on” or you will have to wait for the tow which will be in another 1.5 hour wait.  We hustled.  We threw our lines off and were on the way within 10 minutes.  We told our Looper neighbors and they hustled right after us.  There was a Looper, Sweet Sensation, waiting patiently for us.  There were 4 pleasure craft that glided into the lock as the tow was slowing down just north of the marina.

Entering Mel Price Lock

Leaving Mel Price Lock going down 23 feet

On the other side of the Mel Price Lock was lots and lots of barges and tows.  Many barges just anchored in the middle of the river.  These tows looked like they were in line for a barge.  Lots of activity that kept us on our toes.  I keep thinking about all the industry and commerce that the river systems handle.  Just amazing.

In 10 miles is the next lock.  The Missouri River joins the Mississippi amongst all these barges, tows, and boats.  We have to divert into the “Chain of Rocks Canal” since continuing down the Mississippi is prohibitive.  Signage indicates NO BOATS in this particular part of the river because of rapids!!  That would not be too friendly to barges, tows, or pleasure craft to be sure.  To get around the rapids, this canal was constructed.  Very deep and clean canal.

Chain of Rocks canal

Chain of rocks canal is almost 10 miles long

We had a 10-15 minute wait for a north bound tow to come out of the lock.  No big deal since the water was almost still.  Up to this point all the locks had names.  Now, this lock goes by a number.  Lock 27.  Could it be that “Chain of Rocks Lock” is just too darn long to say and remember?  Lock 27, it is!!

Tow coming out of Lock 27

Entering Lock 27

We went all the way to the front of the lock to find a floating bollard on the starboard side of the lock.  The lock master didn’t care which side we went to.  This picture shows you how long the lock is.  3 boats behind us and plenty of wiggle room between each boat.  Quite a bit larger than the locks on the Erie and Trent Severn.

Looking back in Lock 27

As we come out of the Lock 27, we approach the re-joining of the Mississippi River and the Chain of Rocks Canal.  We picked up at least 3-4 knots speed through this area.

Rock dam separating the Miss. River and the Chain of Rocks Canal

Speaking of the Mississippi River.  The Mighty Mississippi.

Muddy Mississippi

With quite a bit of debris.  Large tree limbs and tree trunks.  I thought that by now all this debris would have been washed down the river.

Approaching St Louis

Approaching St. Louis, MO.  Contrary to early Loopers in years past, you cannot stop in the downtown area in St. Louis.  There is no place for boaters to stop.  No anchorage.  Nothing.  There is a lot of barge traffic that we need to keep an eye out for.  A greater view of the Arch!!

Arch with river front work on-going

There are cruise boats and a helicopter business along the river’s edge.  We didn’t see an easy road access to either.  Lots of construction going on as if they are fortifying the edge for the next flood.  Great view of the arch.  We need to come sometime and take the ride to the top.  Or, at least, I will.  Wayne is leery of heights.

Arch with Capital Building

We arrived at Hoppies Marina in the early afternoon.  We made excellent time with the added push from the river current.  Hoppies is a mainstay along the river.  They have been in business at this location since 1934.  Fern is the owner, manager, and person to talk to about the river.  She conducts daily briefings for the Transients that are docked at her marina.  Where to go, what to expect.  The Mighty Mississippi is to be respected!!

We are tied up.

Fern is directing Elizabear where to go behind us.

Plate on the second barge….

Built by Missouri Valley Steel, Levenworth, Kansas. 1949

The town of Kimmswick is not open on Mondays.  No restaurants.  No shops.  Nothing.  Strange.  I did walk toward town and saw some fungi I thought was interesting.  Delicate little plants that are very important to nature’s cycle of life.

Mushrooms! near a decaying log

Always Home at Hoppies Marina

Line of boats along the barges at Hoppies

A great day on the water.  Sunshine.  Cool temperatures.  It will be going down to the mid 50°s tonight.  Glad we never put the comforter away.

Sunset looking up river at Hoppies

It is late and time for bed.  The barge traffic has increased. We are beginning to rock and roll. That might let us get to sleep even faster.  More barge traffic tonight in the last half hour than all afternoon.  Curious.