Scenes Along The Illinois River

We set out from the Illinois Yacht and Canoe Club around 9 after a pump out and topping up our fuel tanks. Through Peoria’s downtown passing the world head quarters of Caterpillar to reach the dam and lock.

The dam is a wicket dam that can be lowered into the river bed when there is sufficient water for navigation. When that happens boats just drive over the dam skipping the lock. The water is quite low so we used the lock.

Just below the lock is Kuchie’s on the Water who are known for their Bloody Mary’s (see photo below). We would have been tempted to stop if they made Bloody Caesars but we are not into morning drinking. Maybe we will be after this section of the river.

Some of the sights along the way.

The photo below illustrates why boaters doing the Great Loop are not fond of the rivers. The water is quite low now but the next time there is a lot of rain all of this debris and more will float off the shore and spin down river. Creating an obstacle course that keeps everyone on board scanning for prop eating floaters. We are very glad we came in low water.