Headin' South

Tuesday 10/20/09     53 degrees and overcast. Not a bad day to start the first leg of our journey south.

We pulled out of MidTown Marina around 8:30 am and headed downstream. Only 579 miles until the Ohio!

The first point of interest we passed was Julien Dubuque's Grave. A stone tower on a bluff overlooking the river just south of Dubuque. In 1788 Julien Dubuque started the settlement which later bore his name. (http://www.cityofdubuque.org/) In addition to the historical significance of the site it has also been a favorite parking spot for the young and restless of the Dubuque area. At least that's what Pam told me!

Our travel continued through Lock #12 at Bellevue, Iowa and on to Savanna, Illinois. Somewhere between the two we met the riverboat Twilight (http://www.riverboattwilight.com/) a passenger vessel that travels between LeClaire and Dubuque, Iowa. An attractive boat to look at but one of the hardest boats on the river to pass in a courteous fashion due to its' speed of travel.

We also spotted several eagles along the way today like this guy keeping vigil over the channel.

Our day concluded at Island City Harbor in Sabula, Iowa where we topped off the fuel tanks and switched props (because of a vibration) which of course required pulling the boat out of the water. Once back in the water we took advantage of the mild weather by having cocktails on the dock.