Rita
Kuchie’s to Grafton
This is actually a two day trip. It continues to blow my mind how slow boat travel can be. We’ve had this boat 6 years, and I still can’t wrap my mind around this pace. Patience – a virtue I strive to practice better. Anyhow, we will go from Kuchie’s to an anchorage just past our 2nd lock of the day. Then we will head out the next morning for Grafton.
We left Kuchie’s at 6:50 a.m. because they said we could lock through right away. However, when we got there minutes later, we were told it would be a wait. That is the nature of going through locks apparently – hurry up and get here so we can make you wait 
We are joined by some boats from flotilla #2 and lock through with them. Great group of people. We rafted three wide. We were in the first row which is new to us. All went smoothly though, and we headed to the next lock.
Along the way, we had to dodge a deadhead in the water. No it wasn’t a fan of the Grateful Dead who had partied too hard. A deadhead is a log that has become waterlogged and is sinking, but one end of the log is above water. May look like nothing on the surface, but what lies beneath could cause major damage.
At the next lock, we all got a spot on the wall which I think is 1200’ long 
Once again, we were in the front. I held the bow line and Scott held the stern line. No pics because all hands were busy. I chatted with one of the guys working the lock. He happens to have land in Spooner, WI, and every time he goes up there, he returns with a pickup truck bed full of Spotted Cow. There’s a guy who knows good beer! He also informed me that there are two pipes that let water in and out of the lock. Each pipe is big enough to drive a truck through – again I was really enjoying our chat until he felt the need to tell me that traveling the Mississippi River would be worse that the Illinois 
Why, sir? Why would you tell me that? Did I look like I wanted bad news? If he wasn’t out of my reach, I may have punched him in the arm.
We had a nice night at anchor and took off when the fog cleared in the morning. It was a very pleasant trip to Grafton. Just a one night stay. I would like to visit here again because there are a lot of neat places to shop and eat or just hang out. Grafton is called the Key West of the Midwest, and I do kinda get that vibe.
I hope you enjoy the read and the pics below. Make it a great day! Be a blessing and be blessed!
Life is different in the front row 🙂 
Doesn’t it look like those houses will just slide off the hill!? 😳 
I think the leaves are starting to change. 
Just a little bit of our view. 
After anchor Scott took Jazzy to shore for a walk ❤️ 
Anchorage 
Fog has lifted enough to start moving. 
I probably don’t need another pic of a tow, but the size amazes me. 
Not sure what this is. If I find time, I’ll search it up. 
What a fun job sitting in that hut so high above the water! 👏🏻 
Sometimes there are barges just sitting in the middle of the channel. Maybe they’re just making sure we’re paying attention. 
Just thought this looked cool. 
Illinois from the water – pretty. 
Houses on stilts! I guess it’s not just for the warm, sunny coast. 
Here begins a bunch of photos from Grafton. 
These people are ready for visitors and watching the big game – whatever that is 😀 
Entrance to Grafton Harbor from the parking lot. 
Lots of places to eat & shop & chill just a block or so from the marina. 
Bad pic, but this is part of the winery. They also have a ski lift that takes you to the top of a giant hill to the actual winery & a restaurant. I wish we had time to go there. 
Cool cottage. I’m gonna try to find it online and see how much it costs. 
This and the next three pics are the same businesses. So many different areas to gather and great decor. 
That upstairs area would be my choice I think. 
🤣😂 Sorry for the swear word. 
This is in someone’s backyard. I am NOT going to antagonize them and get thrown in the stocks 😬 
I’m not sure I want to visit here. 
Love this rooftop patio. I think this is a vacation rental. 
This just made me laugh 😆 
Love the shape of this place. 
I like the colors of this house. 
Who is using that ladder?! 😳 
They had SO MUCH wood. The whole yard next to the business was full also. 
Two boats with the same name on opposite sides of the same dock. 
We hung out up there with LOTS of other boaters. So many interesting stories. 
This is the Grafton car ferry. It was closed when we were there.
Surf & Turf Retirement Adventures 