Hello to all my Family and Friends,

    I am sorry for the delay with stories about our Looping but the marinas that we have been staying at have had weak connection or no connection.  I think my last blog was the explanation of locks.
       Let me tell you the names of each Marina and a tiny description.  We have been to Racine, Joliet, Ottowa, Heritage Harbor, Starved Rock Marina, Henry's (that was an interesting tie up on a very crude rock wall. Next was East Port Marina in Peoria, Ill., followed by Havanna, Ill, Marina which was called Tall Timbers.  The owner had already closed the marina for the season but because there were 4 Loopers coming in, he turned on the power.  Cute Marina.
      After Tall Timbers we had our 1st anchorage.  That means we anchored on an island off the channel.  Places to do that are marked by the charts that Rod and Harley study each night.  We have anchored out many times on our trips in the North Channel on Lake Huron.  We usually tie up together.  If someone ever had video taped us getting the anchors out and tying up together, it would make for a comedy  
   But this anchorage was easy.  Once anchored, Rod and I dinghyed over to Harley and Ann's boat for dinner.  We forgot one major thing:  we didn't leave lights on our boat.  We eat, drink lots of wine, barges pass us with their big spotlights on.  We motored home in pitch dark,  found the boat, but now Mr. 1 sheet to the wind had to climb on the very top of the boat to put the anchor light on as required by law - something he should have done during the daylight.
      Tonight and tomorrow, Sunday, Oct. 11, we are at Grafton Harbor in Grafton, Ill.  This is where the Illinois River and Mississippi River intersect.  Monday we will be boating to Alton, Missouri - finally on the Mississippi.  Our plan is to stay there for 6 days which we are all looking forward to.
    I will be glad to get off the Illinois River mainly because of the Asian Carp.  They love to jump close to the boats.  Luckily we have avoided having any land on our swim platform.  They are not as large as the ugly carp on our Lake at home:  Lake Kegonsa.  I call those Pig Fish.  But the Asian carp are far more dangerous.
     Although we have been at several marinas - some have been 2-3 day stays - my wonderful son, Ryan, has commented: "I could walk faster to where you are."  Funny but true.
     I have been at the helm driving several times now and can follow the red and green markers pretty well.   I am also learning how to use the auto pilot.  I also use the chart plotter to make sure 2nd Knot is staying in the middle of the channel.
     The fun part of this kind of trip for me is meeting new people and finding out about different parts of our country or even world.  Our new friends may be following us from time to time:
     Sailboat:  a New Yorker with his buddies from Michigan.  Very friendly.  Ann and I learned all about his life during a trip to the Laundermat.
    Mainship Boat, a Trawler, a couple from Prince Edward Island, Canada - a dream trip for me (lots of whales).  They also have a sailboat that he built and have crossed the Atlantic 6 times!  I love Canadians.
    The last couple are on a Hattaras which is a beautiful boat to Loop with. (Has a living room).  They also have sailed around the world.  When they complete this Loop, they plan to sail to Australia to Alaska!! And we thought that we were experienced boaters!
    Well, that is it folks!  I still can't figure out the picture to blog thing but I have an expert in mind to ask, hopefully.