We made it to the river

In the last post I told you we were stuck at Hammond Marina because of gale force winds on Lake Michigan. That was Monday, and Tuesday was not supposed to be much better. We got up real early on Tuesday and the wind and waves were less but not by much. We decided to take a chance, Ginny got us out of the marina just fine but I can tell you the waves were large and the way we needed to go the waves were on our side so Ginny had to turn into the waves until we were able to turn towards the river channel. It took about 15 minutes to go a very short distance but all was good and we were in the river. The wind was still strong but there were no waves so we were able to travel just fine. The only problem is that this was all new to both of us and we were a little lost at first. In the lakes you didn't have much to worry about except plotting a good course and maybe some angst at docking. On the river you need to worry about bridges and if they are to low then they need to be opened which means you need to know how to contact them which is an art in itself. There are barges or as they like to be called tows and they have to tell you which side to pass them on which is another art and a language all its own. I won't try to explain the one whistle and the two whistle but you get the idea. There are several no wake areas so you need to be aware. Ginny and I don't always agree on the speed we should be traveling but I am getting better I hope. Oh and don't forget the locks. You have to know how and when to call them and follow the traffic lights and horn signals and you will be fine. The first lock we came to we were the only one in the lock and the lock master didn't bother to tell us if we needed to tie off or not so we just floated around until the exit door opened and we left. I remembered a post last year on Ocean Breezes blog where they said the same thing so I was pretty sure we were OK. The second lock was much better because the lock masters were very nice and came out to explain how to do it. At first we were the only ones in the lock and then all of sudden another 4 boats came in which was great so we could watch them. It turned out that they were all going to the same place, on the wall at Joliet, so we got to meet them and we are traveling with them today through another couple of locks. We called the lock in the morning and they said they could take us at 8:00 but there was a bridge in the way that needed to be opened and they wouldn't open until 8:30 so we called the lock back and they said they would wait. We got in and out pretty quick and went to the second lock but they are really busy and they said we had to wait a couple of hours to get through so that is where we are now. Like I said we spent last night on the wall at Joliet and tonight we plan to stay at a marina in Seneca. We need a pump out (whew!!!) bad and we will get fuel also. I don't know if we are going to travel tomorrow or not, we will see.

Leaving Hammond.

I know it doesn't look rough but we were inside the break wall before I could stand up to take a picture.

A pretty water feature on the Calumet River

Just one of the many bridges we had to deal with

The first lock.

This is view outside before the lock doors are opened and the green light goes on.

Open Sesame.

The exit doors opening.

Don't dare leave before the horn goes off or you will get spoken to.

A bad day at the marina.

Our first tow.

I called and he said pass him on the 2. I called him back and asked him if that was his 2 or my 2 and he said it was both our two's. Ginny was driving so I let her figure it out :-)

Another tow - we passed on the one

The confluence of the Calumet River and Chicago River.

Going into the second lock at Lockport.

We were alone in the lock for a while but other Loopers came.

This lock was a drop of 40'

No more Michigan harbor signs so I will try to do the best I can.

Harrah's Casino in Joliet.

There were no bathrooms at the wall so we walked across the bridge to the casino.

These are the 4 Looper boats that stayed in Joliet and who we are travelling with today.