Lucky for us the small tow that we followed through the locks was still switching barges at one of the terminals so our return path was unimpeded. We dropped back down the 112 feet that we had risen in the three locks and decided to continue back downriver to an anchorage near Prescott,Wisconsin. Our only hurdle remaining for the day would be Lock 2 near Hastings, Mn.
Here are a few pictures taken of the rest of the days trip:
We traveled unscathed back through the fleeting areas and found the lock at Hastings waiting for us. Good news. Our anchorage isn't too far from the lock. Just a left turn at the St. Croix and around the corner to Douglas Point.
A view to the North of the St. Croix valley.
By the time we dropped the anchor and started cocktails we had covered approximately 60 miles and made 7 lockages.
Day 6 9/11/13 ALWAYS REMEMBER!
The weather is always a big factor when traveling by boat. We've been very fortunate in only having an hour of rain so far and mild to hot temperatures.
Today we slipped under the bridges at Prescott and re-entered the Mississippi headed for Lake Pepin and an anchorage near Long Point. Only Lock 3 and Red Wing to transit.
Our plan was to make a short stop again at Red Wing Marina to pump out, take on water, grab some ice, and make a quick run to the grocery store. Simple plan thrown awry by the marina being closed and absolutely no one around. We did manage to fill the water tank before shoving off. We next pulled into the sea wall downtown for the short walk to the grocery store. Still in need of the pump out we ventured south of town to Bill's Bay Marina. No answer on the radio or the phone but there were a couple of guys working on the dock. The question of are you open was met with the response of "No, but what do you need?" When told ice and a pump out we were pleased to find that they could accommodate us on both counts. How do you spell relief!
Mission finally completed we cruised on into Lake Pepin.
By the time we arrived at Long Point the wind was gusting into the mid 20's from the North causing a bit of a chop on the lake. The preferred anchoring spot is on the North side of the point but would have been uncomfortable so we felt our way into a 5' spot below the point and calm water.
The water temperature was still near 80 degrees and the forecast was for the temps to start dropping in the days to come. With that in mind I took the opportunity to take my one and only river bath for the season. With Ivory soap in hand (it floats) I slid off the back of the boat and promptly found myself standing on the sandy bottom up to my neck. Mission complete I rinsed off with the transom shower and put on my tuxedo for dinner. Sorry no pictures of either event!
Day 7 9/12/13 The sun was shining brightly as we pulled anchor and headed a short distance downstream to Hansen's Harbor Marina just above Lake City, Mn. to fill the fuel tanks. Hansen's isn't the snazziest marina but they're friendly, helpful, and have probably one of the best stocked ship's store's on the Upper Mississippi. And oh, their fuel is competitively priced. It's always a pleasure to make this stop.
After our stop was complete we slipped back onto the lake and continued on to our next destination, Pepin Marina in Pepin, Wi.. Now Pepin Marina in itself is not what I would consider a destination. Too close to the RR crossings. The reason we stop is to go to the Harbor View Cafe. (www.harborviewpepin.com). The meals have always been unique and a notch above your normal bill of fare. Harbor View isn't a large place and you won't find a menu on the table. It's on a chalk board hanging behind the bar.
As a side note, Pepin, Wisconsin is also the birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Lake Pepin is the birthplace of water skiing.
Fat and happy we left Pepin for our final leg of the lake.
We entered the river once again and passed by a huge sandbar that was once a large sand pit. The Corps of Engineers digs out areas of the islands to make a deposit area for the sand that is dredged from the river channel. Usually these pits are about 20' deep at center and an opening is cut to the river so it can fill with water making a great recreation area for boaters. Over the years as the channel fills in the dredges come along and pump the sand from the river into these pits eventually filling them in as this one has been.
On through Wabasha and on to Alma, Wisconsin where we had to wait a few minutes for the Myrtle Griffin to clear the lock and the water to be brought back up for us.
After the lock we pulled in to the Alma courtesy dock just below the lock and strolled through the little town. Like so many small towns it has been punished by the times with many of the store fronts vacant. We did find a few shops still going and made a small contribution to the local economy.
Just a few miles below Alma we had noticed a sand pit on our way upstream. Time to call it a day!
We crept our way in finding no less than 6.5 feet at the entrance and 20' at the pits center. We shared the spot with 2 rental houseboats and had a peaceful night.
The final leg yet to come.....
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