Tuesday, October 12, 2021 (Keokuk, IA -Rockport, IL)

Good morning from Keokuk, IA. The sun is coming up and going to shine all day. Here is a better picture of the Yacht Club and I couldn’t resist the baby tug.  

Right out of Keokuk is Lock and Dam 19 which was the most interesting and deepest lock so far.  As we approached the Lock and Dam there was a huge brick building standing in the river.  The name of the building was “Keokuk Plant”.  We tried to find historical information about it but came up empty.  However, we took a guess that before the Lock and Dam was built the structure housed an electrical generating plant on the river.  So unusual to see a big building out in the river with no access in or out.  As we look at the lock the gates were very different then we had ever seen.  It looked like a fence that would be similar to what you would see in a back yard.  But you could see through the gate and watch the water rescind or rise.  Remember that with all other locks there is a solid wall so that you can’t see anything.  Once the lock was filled with water the gates lowered into the water.  Never seen that before!!!  Once we were positioned in the lock there were no lines to hold onto.  Instead you wrap a line from the boat around the bollard which then moves up or down which ever way the water goes.  The back of the boat was not tied to anything, just the bow.  This was the deepest lock of approximately 30 feet.  The Lock Master was young enough to be my son and he was happy to talk about the process and show me what to do.  

We are seeing more barges being loaded.  This barge had just been loaded where you can see the grain dust still coming out of the holes.  

 

We are in Missouri and all along the river the homes look like this.  Even mobile homes are put on stilts.

We had heard about the new river cruise line running from St. Paul to St. Louis and guess who we passed.  Her name is American Melody, 7 night-8 day cruise with a ticket price from $5,000 to $10,000 per person.  They have 8 land stops to see the sights along the way.

It has been an excellent day with 8 hours on the water.  We are staying at Two Rivers Marina in Rockport, IL (Population 400) and across the river is Louisiana, MO (population 3,300).

We are going to use their courtesy van to drive across the river in the metropolis of Louisiana, MO and find a restaurant.  We were told there was a good Mexican restaurant.  LOL!!!  Later……..