Beautiful weekend! Fierce water Monday!

Saturday and Sunday were by far the most beautiful days of the trip thus far.  It was also the time for many "firsts".  We travelled 44.5 miles on Saturday and passed through two locks.  There was no wait either time nor any barges to deal with coming in or out.  It was exciting in Lock # 17 as it was the first time we just floated inside the lock rather than hold on to the ropes.

Saturday also gave us our first airplane buzz.  This plane came down upon us twice and although we thought it was going to land it didn't.  It was truly a hoot to have any airplane pilot wave to us.  Perhaps our rig attracted his attention.  This could be because it was the first day we sat on top of the boat and drove from there.

Rick and Roger S. rigged this driving system up long ago but the water had really never been nice enough to ride on top.  The weather was so great on Saturday and Sunday that we spent most of our time above.  The only issue was when we met a barge in a very narrow part of the channel and had to hang back for awhile.  We both felt more comfortable back in the cabin.

We spent the night pulled up in the mud near a little campground in Keithsburg, IL.  We met some wonderful people and talked to a few men who have done this trip.  In fact, it always seem to be the men who have done this trip, no women.  Of course, at least Rick's dream wasn't to do this trip in a canoe!  The guy below started in Minnesota and we have travelled along at close to the same pace for the past few days. He plans to make it to New Orleans rather than taking a left on the Ohio to go towards the Tennessee River.



We made it to Burlington, Iowa on Sunday at a very nice time of day.  This is the town where Rick and I bought our first house.  Rick was very excited to get the motorcycle off the boat and scope out the town.  Ahh, memories!  Ahh, the problems begin! 

 That wonderful motorcycle, the one people have offered to buy for all the way down the river, cut out on him while he somewhere.  He has tried a number of repairs but none have seemed to work.  His day really started badly on Monday when thought the cycle would work and took it to get a few things from the store. He forgot his wallet and had to push the motorcycle back to the boat!!!!

Luckily, we had friends from Keokuk coming to ride with us for a day and that eased the motorcycle pains a bit.

I must explain that our friends from Keokuk love boating but Gene is slightly uncomfortable with the motion of the water, barges, etc.  We had called Saturday to arrange this lovely day assuring them the weather and water had just been wonderful the past few days and it would be a perfect ride from Burlington to Montrose.  The first 1 1/2 hours were great!  Deb and I sat on the front of the boat, took in some sun, laughed and caught up on events from the past few weeks.  Rick was turning over the driving to Gene and they were also laughing and having a good time.

Rick mentioned we might want to move indoors as the waves were beginning to pick up and we might get wet.  We didn't argue but thought it was a little silly.  Within a few minutes, we realized that the day was going to change course.  We just didn't want the boat to change course.

Tomorrow - more on Monday's adventure with pictures.  We are currently off the boat and slept on land for the first time in two weeks.  I rocked all night long (sea legs) and still am a little woozy this morning.  We plan to borrow a car and return to IL to do a little laundry and get a "grandkid fix".  We will return to the adventure later in the week.  I do not plan to abandon ship. 

Taken from above Sunday afternoon.  Approaching the bridge at Burlington, Iowa.  We could see for miles and miles.