The weather appeared to be better this morning. It was partly sunny, but breezy. Wind forecasts were for 15-20 knots. We decided that would be okay and headed out right after 8:00.
It turned out to be quite the adventure. The winds were much higher than the forecast and there were gusts of 40+ and we had 3 to 4 foot waves. We took on water up on the fly bridge. In addition to the wind, we had barge traffic, a lot of turbulent water, bright sun against the water (so you couldn’t see or tell the color of the marks) and 2 locks to go through today. It was quite the “intense” day. We were very happy to reach Hoppie’s Marina after traveling 63 miles. They were pretty full (many boats had been hanging out there for a few days), but they made room for our 3 boats.
Hoppie’s is an institution on the Mississippi River. As one guide book put it, it is likely the most salt-of-the-earth place you will visit on the entire loop. Charles (Hoppie) and Fern run the marina, which isn’t much more than a few barges tied together. However, after the journey we had today, nothing could have been more welcoming. Hoppie and Fern are the local experts on the river and every day they share their knowledge with the boaters that seek a safe-haven at their marina. Fern gathers everyone together …. You bring your charts and guide books … and she gives you all the latest info on where you can anchor, what to avoid, where the turbulent water is, how to talk with the tug captains ….. and anything else you may have questions about.
The Looper boats here included ourselves, Emotion III (Carver 36), Christina Diane (Tollycraft 44) TuCando (large trawler – not sure what make), Adventure (a 17 foot sailboat being single handed on the loop by a young guy), Izzie R (Defever 49), Blue Arrow (a steel boat built in Holland and shipped to the states from Turkey where they had just finished a trip down the European canal system from Holland), and a Krogen 49.
After the river briefing, a couple of us wandered into town. It is a very colorful town with lots of historic homes and interesting shops (most were closed as we started wandering around 6:00). We found a little German Restaurant and decided to have dinner. The food was great and the people very friendly. We met a couple that had passed through on a boat several years ago and had come back (by land) to revisit. They gave us some pointers for the trip down the river.
After dinner, it was back to the boat and then off to bed. We should sleep well tonight. It was a long day.
Getting ready to leave Port Charles Marina
Some of the rock formations and the following boats - Emotion 3 and Chrisina Diane
Some more of the rock formations
Our Lady of the Rivers Shrine which was built after the flood of 1951 as gratitude for the water stopping just short of flooding the village of Partage des Sioux.
A casino at Alton
Riverboat Casino
Locking through Mel Price Lock
This is the junction where the Missouri River (on the left in the photo) meets the Mississippi (on the right)
Approaching the Chain of Rocks Canal
... and the sign advising all boats to go down the canal instead of the Mississippi
In this picture you can see 2 bridges, a barge that we just passed and the other 2 boats in our group.
The tug captain told us to pass on the ones. Initially it looked like passing on the other side would be better ..... but those captains really know their stuff. Once we were closer we saw passing on the ones was a lot better.
A tight squeeze through a couple of tugs. In the background you can make out the Arch in St. Louis.
The Gateway Arch, taken from the water as we passed
Another bridge .... sorry I didn't get the names. Between wind, barges, bright sun, etc. wasn't able to take many notes.
Locking through the Chain of Rocks Lock. Christina Diane was unable to grab the bollard, so they free floated .... not much fun considering the wind we had.
On the dock at Hoppie's Marina Services
One of the few times Gerry paid attention to instructions
This small sailboat is doing the loop. Not my idea of a comfort cruiser!
Driftwood ornament on the dock
Fern and the chart briefing (and a little happy hour too)!!!
All the boats at the dock
Rock arches we spotted while walking into town
The town was all dressed up for Halloween
It turned out to be quite the adventure. The winds were much higher than the forecast and there were gusts of 40+ and we had 3 to 4 foot waves. We took on water up on the fly bridge. In addition to the wind, we had barge traffic, a lot of turbulent water, bright sun against the water (so you couldn’t see or tell the color of the marks) and 2 locks to go through today. It was quite the “intense” day. We were very happy to reach Hoppie’s Marina after traveling 63 miles. They were pretty full (many boats had been hanging out there for a few days), but they made room for our 3 boats.
Hoppie’s is an institution on the Mississippi River. As one guide book put it, it is likely the most salt-of-the-earth place you will visit on the entire loop. Charles (Hoppie) and Fern run the marina, which isn’t much more than a few barges tied together. However, after the journey we had today, nothing could have been more welcoming. Hoppie and Fern are the local experts on the river and every day they share their knowledge with the boaters that seek a safe-haven at their marina. Fern gathers everyone together …. You bring your charts and guide books … and she gives you all the latest info on where you can anchor, what to avoid, where the turbulent water is, how to talk with the tug captains ….. and anything else you may have questions about.
The Looper boats here included ourselves, Emotion III (Carver 36), Christina Diane (Tollycraft 44) TuCando (large trawler – not sure what make), Adventure (a 17 foot sailboat being single handed on the loop by a young guy), Izzie R (Defever 49), Blue Arrow (a steel boat built in Holland and shipped to the states from Turkey where they had just finished a trip down the European canal system from Holland), and a Krogen 49.
After the river briefing, a couple of us wandered into town. It is a very colorful town with lots of historic homes and interesting shops (most were closed as we started wandering around 6:00). We found a little German Restaurant and decided to have dinner. The food was great and the people very friendly. We met a couple that had passed through on a boat several years ago and had come back (by land) to revisit. They gave us some pointers for the trip down the river.
After dinner, it was back to the boat and then off to bed. We should sleep well tonight. It was a long day.
Getting ready to leave Port Charles MarinaSome of the rock formations and the following boats - Emotion 3 and Chrisina Diane
Some more of the rock formations
Our Lady of the Rivers Shrine which was built after the flood of 1951 as gratitude for the water stopping just short of flooding the village of Partage des Sioux.
A casino at Alton
Riverboat CasinoLocking through Mel Price Lock
This is the junction where the Missouri River (on the left in the photo) meets the Mississippi (on the right)
Approaching the Chain of Rocks Canal
... and the sign advising all boats to go down the canal instead of the Mississippi
In this picture you can see 2 bridges, a barge that we just passed and the other 2 boats in our group.
The tug captain told us to pass on the ones. Initially it looked like passing on the other side would be better ..... but those captains really know their stuff. Once we were closer we saw passing on the ones was a lot better.
A tight squeeze through a couple of tugs. In the background you can make out the Arch in St. Louis.
The Gateway Arch, taken from the water as we passed
Another bridge .... sorry I didn't get the names. Between wind, barges, bright sun, etc. wasn't able to take many notes.
Locking through the Chain of Rocks Lock. Christina Diane was unable to grab the bollard, so they free floated .... not much fun considering the wind we had.
On the dock at Hoppie's Marina ServicesOne of the few times Gerry paid attention to instructions 
This small sailboat is doing the loop. Not my idea of a comfort cruiser!
Driftwood ornament on the dock
Fern and the chart briefing (and a little happy hour too)!!!
All the boats at the dock
Rock arches we spotted while walking into town
The town was all dressed up for Halloween
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