So the last time I wrote to you we had the Cat mechanic working on the boat. We thought all was good, until we tried to pull away from the dock this morning in 20+MPH winds just before sunup. As we tossed the last line and I hit the throttles, we found out we did not have and transmission working on the port engine. We scrambled to tie the boat back up quickly as we were drifting down on another boat in the slip. All secured to the dock, I started to work on the wire connections to the transmission. Fortunately, it was just a wire that the mechanic had hit and was not anything major. It did mean our flotilla left without us, but we caught them before the canal! It was a sporty ride for most, as we were straight into the waves out of the harbor for 3 miles.

We were able to lead the group into the river system at first light and had a great view of the Cal Sag!

Catching the group and heading toward the canal

Inside the brake wall and turning into the canal

Leaving Lake Michigan and starting down the river

As we head into the river, there are many bridges we need to go under or have opened on a very industrial river!

We continued down the Cal Sag through the industrial area, passing many barges and even the infamous electric fish fence! It is there to keep the Asia Carp our of Lake Michigan. Hope it works!

Some of the areas were very narrow for us, but all was good.

This is the fish barrier entrance. We did shut off all electronics for this stretch.

Then I received a few surprise pictures from someone on shore as we passed under the famous 19’6″ fixed bridge that all Loopers must be able to go under to complete the LOOP!

William and Erica, along with the girls came down and took pictures of us as we headed to the Joliet wall.

This was only after passing through a couple locks with our flotilla!

The boats we lead to catch up to the rest of our flotilla

All rest of the boats we caught up to!

These pictures are of the Lockport Lock and the single bollard we had to tie to and hold another boat rafting off of us!

Amy holding on tight to keep us in place! The lock master put us so far forward in the lock, that we had to back up so he could open the front door! Not sure that was a great plan on his part. You can see the door just behind Amy.

Then we arrived at the Joliet wall around 4:30pm and were greeted by William and family. Great to see them and celebrate Eleanor’s first birthday together!

Back on the boat for a few presents and some birthday cake! Not sure how to blow out the candle yet, but she did reach for it!

It is late now and we leave the wall tomorrow morning with the group at 6:45am for our first lock opening. For those dog lovers, Memphis had a very long day, she was on the boat from 5:45am until 4:30pm without a bathroom break. She really did need to go when we hit Joliet!

Tomorrow we pass through the newly rebuilt Brandon, Dresden, and Marselles locks on our way to Ottawa.

Please forgive any errors in this post, as my editor has already gone to bed.

Hope you all have a great Sunday, good night, and more to come tomorrow.