Friday, September 22 - First View of Missouri

Friday, September 22 - First View of Missouri

Looking back at Griggsville, IL or Bluffs, IL, depending on the side of the river, as we head out.

We passed a “convention” of white pelicans, and a nice herd of cows.

Houses along this stretch were built on some serious stilts.  I don’t think they have to worry about being flooded.

George and Pat Hospodor’s book about the Great Loop includes a picture of this boat, but it’s floating in their picture. 

There were several car ferries in this area.  Maybe because there are very few bridges.

“Hot Fish, Cold Beer.”  Wish we could stop.

Pumpkins for sale already.  Isn’t it a little early?  I can’t see pumpkins without thinking about our youth pumpkin patch at Cokesbury UMC and the wonderful Bill Kessler who led us into that venture.

This is Hardin, Illinois.  I took the picture for my high school friends Lynn Hardin Thompson and Carol Hardin Smith. 

Our first view of Missouri - Portage des Sioux.

I think this is a picture of the junction of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers.  (If I would stay current with my blog posts, it would be easier to remember.). It’s close to the junction, at least.

Grafton Harbor is the first “real” marina since Ottawa so most Loopers stop here.  I read somewhere that the town flooded so often, the city fathers decreed that it be moved up the hill.   No worry this year. 

Deb, Gil and Alex joined us for dinner at a local restaurant recommended by a local guy.  He described it as the building with the boat sticking out of the roof.  The local guy was right, there was a boat and the hamburgers were delicious.

This sign was in a bar we walked through going uphill to the restaurant.  I have a thing for funky signs.