Sept 18, Kimmswick, MO

Today we moved from the nice marina at Alton, Illinois, down the Mississippi River, through two more locks, dropping 23 and 12 feet, past the beautiful Arch facing the river in St Louis to Hoppie’s Marina near Kimmswick, Missouri. Total distance traveled today was about 45 miles

Tug boat staging area.

Our last lock on the 'upper Mississippi'.
From this point on it is the 'lower Mississippi' and there are no more locks on the Mississippi all the way to New Orleans.

Ken Horner and Rick Harnden

Approaching St Louis on the Mississippi River.

The Arch frames the St Louis skyline.

Crew today on KOKOMO II consisted of Owen, Ken Horner and Rick Harnden. Linda made the trip in Ken’s car. Nice to have the car with us and Ken will need it to return home when he is finished with his trip.

Another pretty day on the water with temperature in the 70’s and clear skies. Water temp in the Mississippi is 76. Mississippi is muddy and the water level is low and dropping a little each day because there has been no rain for the last several weeks. We are finally having some nice summer weather.

Hoppie's Marina.

Hoppie’s Marina consists of a string of four barges anchored along the bank of the river. We have 50 amp power and fuel is available but there are no other facilities. The lady who owns Hoppie’s Marina, Fern Hopkins, gives the river travelers a talk each afternoon about what to expect for the next 250 miles. Down the Mississippi 158 miles with no locks. Up the Ohio 58 miles with two locks. Up the Cumberland 35 miles with one lock. Things like current river conditions, trouble spots, how to communicate with the tugs pushing the barges, places to tie up, anchorages, lock locations and procedure and possible locations to get fuel trucked in and other help, if needed. And the fact that there are no marina’s in that 250 miles.

Fern Hopkins gives a briefing.

There are 4 boats at Hoppie’s tonight and all the captains and crew attend the briefing. Fern is a legend as she has been doing this for boaters for many years and we think the time spent with her is invaluable. Thanks Fern.

We are glad to be here for the night and have the car to go into town for dinner.

Rick, Linda and Ken.
Our last evening together on KOKOMO II.