Joliet, IL - 8/30/12

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At 8 a.m. we moved to the free do it yourself pump out dock in a stiff wind and prepared to leave at 8:30 with Queen Kathleen for Joliet, IL.  Since QK has not been on rivers before and was a little worried about bridge clearances on the river, Quest assumed the lead as we left the marina.

Monroe Harbor

Leaving Marina

LAST Trip on Lake Michigan!

 We left the comfortable harbor break wall and stuck the pointy end of the boat into Lake Michigan for the FINAL time for the short trip to the lock that will let us enter the Chicago River.  The lake was its normal nasty self and we rocked and rolled for the 1/2 mile trip. The lock down is only a foot or two and is actually there to prevent the river from getting into the lake since that is where the city gets its drinking water.  The Chicago River is also the Shipping and Sanitary Canal so I think you can figure out why they don't want to drink their own crap.

Chicago Harbor Lock

 The river goes right through downtown and under many bridges, the lowest being 17 feet and does not open so we had to get our anchor light, dinghy davit and VHF Antennae all down so we could get to 16 ft 9 inches.

Chicago River

Chicago River

Chicago River

Chicago River

This railroad bridge is normally up unless a train is coming.  Today we saw 3 different trains cross it before it raised.

Chicago River

Quest

Queen Kathleen

This barrier is to keep the Asian Carp out of the lake.

Queen Kathleen in the Lock

 We had to go through another lock and have 3 bridges opened that were to low to clear before we got to our destination.
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Joliet, IL Free Wall

Passing Barges on Illinois River

This picture ended up out of place but it gives a good idea of some of the tight spots we had to go through on the river.  The barges on the left are docked and the tow on the right was moving.  The tow captains are very accommodating if you give them a call first before getting too close.

Our spot tonight is the Joliet town wall, a free mooring with power. Tomorrow our goal is Ottawa, IL.

N 41  31.439   W 088  05.233