I will admit, since we started on the river system the Great Loop adventure has felt like work. Not a ton of fun. Long days, rainy, cold, and a lot of stress.

Our flotilla has officially ended. The “go fast” boats stuck together to get through the Peoria lock this morning. The boats we were with in Henry stuck together to get through the Peoria lock this morning. We didn’t want to go through the lock today so we didn’t leave Henry until 9:20 this morning and planned on a relaxing day on the water. That is what we got and what we needed!! Thank God.

The next few days will be LONG. Tomorrow we will have a 10-hour 75-mile day or so, then a 65-mile day, and finally a 35-mile day again. Then we will take a break and spend 2 days resting and re-provisioning for the Mississippi, Ohio, and Cumberland Rivers. But, let’s see how today’s plan went. I think I was pretty spot on today!

Date: October 8, 2023
Route name in Aqua Maps: TD: 10/03/23 (Henry to Peoria)
Nebo Link: Click here
Crew: Captain Scott, 1st Mate Rita, & K9 Jazzy
Start at: 9:30 am Actual was 9:20 am
End at: 2:00 pm Actual was 1:44 pm
Total Time: 4.5 hours Actual was 4:28
Distance: 36.8 Actual was 36.9
Fuel Plan: 18 gallons Unknow at this time

Stop Plan 1: TM 33.5, MM 162.5 Peoria Municipal Docks
Stop Plan 2: TM 28.6, MM 167.9 Illinois Valley Yacht and Canoe Club (we have a reservation for the fuel dock after 4 pm)
Long stop: TM 36.9, MM 159.1 Kuchie’s on the Water

Initial thoughts were to stay on the Peoria Municipal Docks. But, we wanted to go a little further. And, we had a reservation at the IVY (IL Valley Yacht club), but that was on the fuel dock, and we didn’t want to do that. So, we chose the long stop of Kuchie’s on the Water. We can see the lock from here and will call them to find out when we can lock through before tossing our lines early in the morning.