RIVER SYSTEM: DAYS 99-103 : Buckhorn Island to Alton, IL & PLANNING AHEAD TO HOPPIES

Buckhorn Island to Alton: 8.8 mph; 61.3 miles; 6:56 hours

Alton Marina

The cost is ridiculously cheap this time of year; something like $120 for the week and we left a day or so earlier than planned (stay three nights - get three nights; equal balance for four and five night stays): electric/water, shower/bath, coin-operated laundry, pool, AGLCA discount, and docktails. Docktails are loosely organized each night around 5PM at the pool to discuss the upcoming travel days to Hoppies and Paducah. Seasoned Loopers share their experience - good to listen.

QUICK NOTE ABOUT DOCKTAILS: Don’t stress over this. If you have something to share - share. If not, share your company. It's more about camaraderie than anything else. I took popcorn once - it was a hit.

EXPLORING DOWNTOWN ALTON

The town of Alton is within walking distance and under redevelopment - I think it will work. The Old Bakery Beer Company has a fantastic selection of food and drink (not just beer). When we were there, wall chalk-art was happening, kids were having fun, the music was playing and people were laughing. 

Getting There: Use the walk-over-bridge, turn left and go around the block - worth your time.

I had my hair cut at V Salon; Valerie really helped me out. When we were first talking, she let me know there weren’t any openings, I about-had a silent total meltdown on Main Street out of pure frustration. I’ve been looking for a hair salon since the ‘top of the mitten’. Businesses want you to book online, which is a great use of technology. The problem is they book three days out; well, most Loopers don’t have three days out and need a walk-in service. She heard my frustration, knew my pain, and called me back within 2 minutes saying, “See you at noon.” What a good person - great haircut to boot! 

Went to Dam-It-Joe’s. Jim googled Best BBQ in St Louis and this popped up. A quick Uber/Lyft ride across the bridge and you're there (way out of walking range). It’s a food truck in a parking lot with delicious chicken, pork, or beef BBQ. They close at 7pm so plan ahead and know it's a tricky part of town.

St Louis Arch. Alton is where you can call an Uber/Lyft and run over and see the sights of St Louis, MO - you are just that close! It was awesome! I only wish we had had a few more days to spend combing the streets for fun quirky places and museums. We went to the top of the St Louis Gateway Arch - WOW. The pictures I took look like miniatures from Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood of Make-Believe. That was some crazy engineering. 

Caleco’s Bar Bar & Grill; a staple establishment for 47 years and recent victim to Covid-19. This bar is scheduled to close December 2021. If you’re there before then, or by a miracle it re-opens, have a look. It is pure throwback and will be sadly missed.

PLANNING AHEAD TO HOPPIES - THERE ARE A LOT OF MOVING PARTS:

Number One: 

You will need a full tank of fuel and water to get you from Grafton/Alton to Green Turtle Bay: between 200 - 280 miles without the opportunity to re-fuel your tanks. 

Where’s the diesel fuel? Your closest choices are: 

Grafton Marina, Port Charles, Alton and 44 miles South at Hoppies Marina. 

Emergency Fueling in the 200-280 Mile NO DIESEL FUEL ZONE:

This is an expensive lesson-wrapped-solution: In Kidd River (Cape Girardeau, MO) MM 51.9; you can have fuel trucked in at a 100 gallon minimum and no matter what, you’re playing for the 100 gallons to start. They require 24 hours notice and deliver to a floating dock along the river. I guess you would have to hope you made it to MM 51.9. Thankfully, I have no more detailed knowledge on this subject.

Number Two:

Before leaving Grafton/Alton, you need to call Hoppies Marina and make sure they have room for you. Hoppies could very well tell you to wait a few days before leaving Alton.

Number Three:

Once you know what day you are leaving, as a group, decide who will act as lead boat to call the Lock Master requesting a lock through - using the telephone number and not VHS. To distribute the information, use a predetermined channel and set time, the lead boat will report to the group during the early hours establishing what time the Looptilla will leave the dock; this also allows for other boats to hop into the fleet if needed. You want to lock through early so you aren’t boating in the dark to Hoppies.

COMMUNICATION

Once you leave the marina, the entire group should monitor the chat between the lead boat and Lock Master to minimize repeated information.

BARGES

Jim has an additional hand-held to monitor the Tow Boat channels. NEVER assume the lead boat has contacted an on-coming barge - that’s a very dangerous assumption. If you think you missed the exchange, contact the barge yourself and apologize for asking the Captain to repeat the instructions for passing - your contact may be the first call he receives asking for a pass. 

Number Four:

Provision your boat with enough food and drinking water for 3-5 days at anchor.

Number Five:

Before you leave, make reservations at Paducah and Green Turtle Bay though Dockwa. Call the spa at Green Turtle Bay and make an appointment - you deserve it. The Spa offers a Couples Massage too.

This was the plan ...