Sept 12-13, Grafton, IL

We moved from the Illinois Riverdock Restaurant in Hardin, Illinois, about 20 miles to Grafton where the Illinois River meets the Mississippi River. We have entered the 'Mighty Mississippi'! Actually looks pretty much the same as the lower Illinois so far.

We have travelled just over 320 miles from Chicago and have approximately 1000 more miles to go to reach the Gulf of Mexico. We can either travel all the way down the Mississippi to New Orleans (with only a few good stops and anchoring out most of the time) or chose the route we will take (lots more good stopping points and marinas) and go down the Mississippi, up the Ohio, up the Cumberland, up the Tennessee, down the Tenn-Tom Waterway and down the Tom Bigbee to Mobile, Alabama. About the same distance either way. We have gone through 8 locks and gone down 157 feet to 420 feet above sea level.

Ferry crosses the Illinois River in front of us.
The ferry is a solution where there are long distances between bridges.

Approaching Grafton Marina.

Covered slips at Grafton.

The town of Grafton was founded in 1836 and was a stopping off point where the Illinois and Mississippi rivers came together. Grafton was a much larger town in the 1800's than it is today. There are a few shops and a good bookstore, several restaurants, a small hotel and several guest houses.

Motorcycle store

Historic Ruebel Hotel from the 1800's has a great bar (the bar was original to an exhibit at a worlds fair) and the reputation of an occasional haunting by a friendly ghost.

This is now primarily a weekend getaway spot. They are having a small arts and crafts show in the park while we are here. Grafton is a magnet for 'bikers' on the weekend.

Arts and crafts potter uses 'Mississippi Mud'.

Bicycles decorated for the parade today.
Best we have ever seen.
Riders wore costumes to compliment the bikes.

St. Louis is a few miles downstream, just below where the Missouri River joins the Mississippi, and because most western bound travelers went upstream on the Missouri River, St louis became the preferred staging area. This whole area was the super highway hub when river traffic was the best and fastest way of moving people and goods.

This boater may never leave the dock. BBQ, table, refrigerator, storage, swing and chairs.
Good place for a gathering of friends.

The Grafton Marina is large (several hundred) with mostly covered slips and all the services. This is our first experience with covered slips and it changes the ambience of the place quite a bit. The setting is cool (with the shade), has a nice breeze and even though it is large, feels cozy. It seems to lend itself to sitting out in a lawn chair on the dock and getting to know your neighbor. On the weekend, this has the atmosphere of a tailgate party. Folks on the docks of the covered slips are using the BBQ and sitting around in small groups with folding chairs and cocktails. Very festive. Party central.