Thump Thump - splat

Thump Thump - splat

As we headed south on Peoria Lake, we started hearing thumps – the “soft” sound that is often attached to hitting a log so it caught our early morning attention. After several thump, thump, bumps we noticed the fish jumping alongside the boat. Now, back a few blogs we mentioned the electronic barrier designed to keep the invasive carp out of the Great Lakes – these carp have already invaded the Illinois River. Their jumping is so frequent and numerous that we caught them on film with a little patience. We (ok Steve) also liberated the ones that flopped on our back deck. From tow captains we have heard these jumpers have knocked crew members out cold; just the incentive I needed to stay inside while we are underway!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The carp are not the only wildlife we have been enjoying the last few days on the Illinois River –

 

 

 

This stretch of the Illinois from Peoria to the junction with the Mississippi is largely rural and minimally populated with people although we did see dramatic evidence of agriculture operations.

 

 

 

And a few non-ag businesses!

 

 

The shallow Peoria Lake thankfully has a well-marked channel for the commercial traffic which we used along with all the little boaters out for a holiday run in their speedy boats. We hoped the fishermen were not catching the carp but something tastier.

 

While in this no cell zone we have met several other boaters. One couple, also doing the loop, shared our anchorage at Bar Island – well they welcomed us in since they had arrived first.  Surprisingly we had not crossed paths previously although when we compared dates, we had been in almost the same places at about the same time. The water is indeed wide.

 

 

 

We also met, at least by radio, Bobcat, a tiny little house on a pontoon boat.  The final Illinois River lock tenders held the lock for us to join Bobcat on the final 8 foot drop – we did not even tie up for this trip down. Bobcat is based on the Mississippi River just up from the Illinois River junction so they gave us advice on the coming anchorages and harbors. We also received an e-mail from one of the boats that buzzed us on Peoria Lake.  They had taken our picture and googled us to find the blog and e-mail so they could send us the photo along with their advice on good places to stop.  Once again the generosity of fellow boaters has been heart-warming and continues to be one of the best parts of this journey.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the Peoria Riverfront Museum we spotted a model showing the elevation changes and the seven locks on the Illinois River – it clearly illustrates the placement of the locks and the precipitous drops on the Lake Michigan end.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The museum also informed us there are good reasons for all the barge traffic we have been seeing. They are greener, safer and more fuel efficient than either rail or trucks. For example for every fatality on a barge there are 22.7 on the rails and 144 on trucks!  Barges have far fewer spills and use less fuel to move the same tonnage. Also, one loaded barge contains enough wheat for 2.5 MILLION loaves of bread! No wonder they seem endlessly long and wide.

 

 

 

but not every morning is sunny