26 August, 2021. Another blazing hot day on the Illinois River

 

49SM; 5.6 hours, last lock on Illinois River

Safe night at anchorage.  Numerous tow/barges passing by during the night and numerous trains across the bridge but nothing frighteningly close.  Today the final lock, La Grange will be the last lock on the Illinois waterway.  Internet remains down as the service provider reporting out of service for a few more days.  Effecting all customers.  Cell coverage nearly non-existent.  I have ATT, Kim has TMoble.  Kim as occasionally 1-2 bars, I have none.  So no pictures today.  Lots of Eagles observed again today.  Tow traffic decreasing and river has begun to widen and current slowing.  Our anchorage only about 20 miles from the Mississippi junction.  Another 35 miles south will be our destination tomorrow at Alton marina in Illinois.  We have anchored in an oxbow well off the river; narrow but plenty of swing room and enough scope for the expected thunderstorms later this evening.  10 foot depth and very warm water, we dropped the anchor at 1600.  A slight breeze, but extremely hot and humid.  Swim call.  We float in the brown but cooling water for over two hours until approaching thunder chases us out of the water.  Cooler winds approach with the rain and storms.  Should be a safe anchorage tonight.  Kim’s anchorage video

5991 SM journeyed; 2040.6 hours hobbs