FLOOD - BEFORE & AFTER

We arrived in Grafton, Il on 9/16 and have been here for 10 days. At that time, the river was at flood level. Everything is back to normal and the Texas Boats are heading south tomorrow 9/26. The picture below is at the end of our dock showing normal water level. This shows you how high the water got up as shown in pictures below. We are ready to get moving again and really did enjoy our stay in Grafton. The owners of the marina and their staff were very accommodating. We greatly appreciated their kindness to the AGLCA River Rats.

CAN'T GO UNDER IT...CAN'T GO THROUGH IT...HAVE TO GO OVER IT!

Michigan Lake and Illinois River...has been a wonderful trip. We didn't go to Chicago but could see her from the boat going into the Illinois River. I took pictures but it was a very hazy day. The rivers are closed to high water and fast currents from the aftermath of Ike. We are hoping to be able to leave here sometime next week. This picture was one of the first harbors we stayed in off Lake Michigan. The house is so neat as well as their yard.



Our own personal Swan Dance at one of the marinas.



The shores of Lake Michigan are beautiful. Many tall sand dunes along the shore.



Labor Day Weekend.....beaches were packed.



Labor Day Weekend on Lake Michigan. We are coming into port and the boat traffic was insane.



As we entered the Illinois River, we had a series of low bridges we went under. We lowered our antennas and made all of them. One bridge in question was 19 ft. We were prepared to take our satellite and anchor light down but the river was low enough we made it with one inch to spare.



We shared a lock with a Tow and six barges. It was scary at first, but once we got in, no big deal.



Here we are going down the lock with the Tow and barges.



Had to show this picture. Capt. Still cleaned the AC strainer and look what he found.



Tall Timbers Marina in Havanna, Il. It is a small marina but gorgeous with all the plants and sitting areas around the docks. Super nice folks and a pleasant stay. We were here when the rains came from Ike.



This is our last lock on the Illinois River. The drop going down is 10ft. As you can see, the lock is completely under water. Next picture will show you how we passed the lock.



Soooooo, My Cin had to go over it! As we went over the dam, the depth was 20 ft. Once we passed over, depth was at 30 ft. That was a first for us.



There are many River Homes along the river banks. The homes are all sitting in water and some areas the roads are blocked due to high water.



A Picnic Cabana under water.



The dock in the picture separates us from the Illinois River and you can see just one of the MANY logs flowing downstream. The current is running about 3-4 miles per hour. The river was up 25 ft. above normal pool.

USA - GOOD TO BE BACK

North Channel. This is our last leg of the Canadian Waters. North Channel is beautiful, deep water and no fear of hitting any rocks. Once we travel through the North Channel, we will enter Lake Huron and the United States. We loved Canada, the people are so nice but it will be good to get back to the US. This is just one of the many beautiful sights of Canada.



This is a waterfall coming out of a big cliff.



North Channel has many places called the "Narrows". And believe me they are narrow passes, as you can see. Before you enter a narrow passage, you call on the VHF radio "security...security, three trawlers entering Narrow passage, etc." We did have on several occasions other boats about to enter the passage when we were about to enter.



Shoreline and mountains of the North Channel.



One of the places where we anchored. It was a quiet little cove and all three boats were able to raft up. Here's the gang at Happy Hour.



'Reflection' of the beauty of Canada. We anchored at John's Island and pulling out the next morning.



We are entering Lake Huron and will clear customs at Drummond Island. Good to be back in the US.



Incredible Sunset.



Mackinac Island. We had lunch right before we shot this picture and all four girls wore pink shirts (wasn't planned). Pictured is My Cin, Patti and her guest Carol - (Fabin and Chuck left to tour the island). The name of the restaurant/bar is the Pink Pony. Need I say more.....even my cheeks were pink.



Main Street in Mackinac Island. Many shops and every other store - FUDGE!



No motor vehicles are allowed on the island. You have the following choices: Walk, Bike or Horse & Carriage. This is a side street (off the main drag) and this is the garbage wagon....picking up garbage by horse & carriage.



This is a Bed & Breakfast (one of many). This is one of the Horse & Carriage Tours passing by.



Everywhere on Mackinac Island, you would see flowers, flowers, flowers. This is one of the many places you can stay on the island.



Here's the gang. Captians and Crew Members: Chuck and Fabin Miller "Whichaway" Billy and Patti Clifford "Illusions" Cindy and Jess "My Cin". Getting ready to enjoy dinner on Mackinac Island.

LAST LEG OF TRENT-SEVERN AND HELLS GATE

This was our last leg of the Trent-Severn Waterway. We had so many pictures and experienced so many things, we needed to share with you. With the help of "Illusions" Capt. Billy Clifford (and computer guru) I'm giving you a little different format of my blog. I have 14 pictures for you to see. So just keep on scrolling down. Canada is just beautiful. The folks are so nice and friendly. We were very welcomed in every town we passed through. In some of the small towns, the canal went right through the middle of all the action with locks. If you can picture this, all three BIG Texas boats would enter a lock and all the locals would run up and talk to us before the lock took us down. It was as if were were in a parade. We finished the Trent-Severn and are currently in Georgian Bay. We will enter Michigan Lake in about 3+ weeks and head to Chicago. It has been an incredible journey and certainly more to come. Here is a picture of one of the many beautiful homes on the waterway system. Hope you enjoy this format.



We are entering the Peterborough Lift Lock. This lock has two "pans". One goes up as the other one goes down. It's like a bathtub....you pull in, tie up on one side, then the lift takes you out of the canal, lifts you 65ft. up to the next canal. Unbelievable! It's like being on a Disney World ride only in your boat.



"Illusions" is in the "pan" with us and we have just reached the top (65ft. lift).



We have reached the top of the lock and I'm looking down at the other "pan" that has reached the bottom.



We are entering Hells Gate area and we all got a laugh out of seeing this neat little church on an island of 'rock'. Well, we shouldn't have laughed and should have lit a candle instead. See picture below!



Greetings from Hells Gate. This area is very rocky on land as well as under the water. You have to really watch your markers and stay in the channel. No fault of the Captain, but we did get out of the channel - cruising right into late afternoon sun and we both thought the marker was green. WRONG SIDE - and hit big rocks hard. A boater came over and pulled us off. Picture was taken by Capt. Billy Clifford "Illusions" (under water). We had the boat pulled and discovered three other big "chunks". So...ching ching ching from Hells Gate.



Just one of the many many beautiful homes on the canal system. One thing about the Canadians, they take such pride in their yards. Because winters are so harsh, they live outdoors in the summer. I have never seen so many beautiful flowers, yard art, manicured lawns, bright summer colors. All picture postcard!



All the standard type locks on the Trent-Severn Canal system were not that long or wide. The lockmasters would get all three big Texas Boats in plus a few smaller ones. Just some facts: "Whichaway" 48ft, 15ft beam..."Illusions" 44ft, 15ft beam..."My Cin" 48ft, 15ft beam. See how much room we had between us and we are each tied to a wall. I always had to run to the 'ladies room' before entering the locks.



We felt like we were going through Christmas Tree Lots only by boat! They were everywhere and looked so pretty in the yards.



This is what the Big Chute Marine Railcar looks like. "Whichaway" went first, then "Illusions" and we were the last one. We all took pictures of each others boat as they went up and coming off. Since we were the last one, we didn't have a picture of "My Cin" leaving the Trent-Severn waters.



This was a cool shot of the railcar taking us across this road to the other side. We had two smaller boats on the railcar with us. You can see one of them in front of us.



We are at the top of the hill getting ready to go down. I personally stood on the side of the boat with my eyes closed!



We are coming down the hill looking back from the stern. You can see the rail tracks.




This is where we are about to enter the waterway on the other side into Georgian Bay. Hope you enjoyed the pictures. Until the next blog, Jess and Cindy.