Confluence of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers
Our first Mississippi River lock sure was different from the Illinois River locks. It was much bigger and the lock masters assumed we knew what we are doing. They rushed us through so we’d be out of the way of a big barge heading our way. It turned out fine, and it was good they rushed us through since we barely made it to our anchorage before the sunset.
We are anchored on the Missouri River just a little ways up from where it meets the Mississippi. So we are a little Tom Sawyer and Becky Thatcher and a little Lewis and Clark all rolled into one.
We decided to celebrate having made it this far by taking the day today to just hang out and enjoy the living-on-a-boat life. Today that meant cleaning the boat, doing laundry, and cooking good boat food. It was a relaxing day and we feel ready to head down the Ol’ Miss again tomorrow.
I believe you are doing it right, but Slow the trip down, and enjoy where you are. Every destination may wait until tomorrow, only today do you have this place. This is a journey to be enjoyed, fully, because you may not pass this way again. This is how memories, and legends are built. You have the ability to do both!
I have a million questions but I’ll just ask my most pressing. Have you left the boat yet? I think I’d need a long walk. I’m really enjoying this adventure.
We have gotten off the boat but you'd be surprised at how active just motoring down the river is. There are hazards around each bend, and going through the busy St. Louis waterway today was quite stressful. We are never wondering what book to read next or if we can nap. It is not like land travel in that way. There is the navigation piece, and then there are things on the boat that need tending: Do the solar panels need to be moved to get the best angle to the sun? What's for lunch? Do I need to pull something from the freezer for dinner? Was that an eagle that just flew over? Do I need to move lines (ropes) or fenders in anticipation of the next lock? I see a barge ahead... can I see their name through the binoculars so we can hail them on the radio to find out how they would like to pass? Something just fell down below so I need to go investigate to see what was not secured properly before we left this morning. After going through a lock, I need to coil all lines, pull in the fenders, and secure the boat hooks so all these things are ready for the next lock. Another barge... name? radio? Another eagle... it never gets old seeing them! The lock or a barge or the need to get fuel takes longer than anticipated so we need to find an alternate anchorage for the night. We need to be anchored by 4pm because travel on the river after dark is dangerous - too many hazards. We travel at about 5mph, but there are parts of the river where the current has us going 8mph. That's a huge difference and is a factor in determining where we anchor for the night. So we make a plan and then have several bail-out plans along with some lofty ones where we make it farther than anticipated. All of these things happen ALL. THE. Time! I hope this helps! It's constant activity! I'm doing 20,000 steps a day on my lil boat! Please keep asking questions. I love it!!
Enjoying anchor time is golden! Well done! Omina Pizza! Yes!
Wow! I'm learning so much. And, by the way, your boat food looks amazing!