Sunday - September 19, 2010

Start Lat 041 20 506 Lat 088 50 877; Eng Hours 331.54; Fuel 165 gal
We left Ottawa at around 7:45 am to continue our journey down the Illinois. Shortly after leaving Ottawa we went through the Brandon Road Lock and Dam. Some of the folks left at 7:00 but they had to wait for the lock to open. As a result when we arrived we went right into the lock while they waited an hour. The early bird does not always get the worm.
As it was Sunday, there were a lot of fisherman out all along the Illinois River. There were also a few barges out – some quite large. You always contact the barge captain to ask if he wants you to pass on one whistle or two whistles. One whistle of course means you move to the right and pass starboard to starboard when they are coming at you. If you are overtaking them you still move to the right and pass on the starboard side of the tow. Two whistles means you move to the left and pass on the port side of the tow when the tow is coming at you. If overtaking you still move to the left and pass on the port side of the tow.
As we traveled down the river we saw more and more Asian Carp jumping out of the water as we went by. They are very skittish and the prop sound causes them to jump. People down here are now having contests as to who can kill the greatest number of carp and people are using bows and arrows to shoot them. They are really a nuisance.
Stayed at Henry Marina which is owned by a local entrepreneur, had dinner at the local bar.