Day 333-35 – 9/1-3/24

Starting location: : Moored at Alton Marina, Alton, IL

Weather: Hot and muggy

Ending location: Moored at Hoppie’s Marina, Kimmswick, MO

Statute miles: 46

General summary: There were two more locks between Alton and Hoppie’s Marina, our final loop destination on the rivers and where we would “cross our wake”, technically finishing our Great Loop. We introduced ourselves to the captain and passengers of another transient boat and coordinated a next day departure. It always seemed to go more smoothly with the lock operators if you go through in an organized group with one boat designated as the “lead boat”. It was a foggy morning, but the lock was close by and we made it through quickly.

Passed by downtown St. Louis. There are no walls, municipal docks, or marinas in this area of the city, which is puzzling. It would definitely attract more tourists if they did and we would have enjoyed checking out the town.

Made it through our final lock and breathed a huge sigh of relief. You never know when you may be delayed due to powers beyond your control, aside from weather – broken lift or swing bridges, train travel on railroad bridges, broken locks, and commercial traffic. It was just unimpeded open water from here.

We arrived at Hoppie’s and tied to one of the two barges. The third barge had sunk during the winter so space was at a premium. A couple we had met on one of our stops on the Trent-Severn in Canada stopped to get gas. We caught up a bit and they were kind enough to briefly loan us their yellow “Super Looper” burgee for a photo. Once you complete your loop, you can fly this flag. Ours is on order and will be mailed to our house.

We had a nice dinner at La Chance Winery again. Not much has changed in downtown Kimmswick. We had stored our truck and trailer here for the year. The truck battery was dead, so we took an Uber to a car supply store in the morning to get a new one and Tom installed it. Then, time for a truck wash. The next day, Tom took the trailer to get four new good-quality tires, hoping to prevent a blow-out like we had experienced on our way from home at the start of this journey.

Our plan was to pull the boat out at the ramp at Hoppie’s the following day. When I had discussed this over the phone with the marina staff, prior to our arrival, out of concern with how low the water level had been when we launched, I was assured it would be fine. The level was at least 4 feet above what it was then. On looking at the ramp, though, it was still quite exposed and steep and we became increasingly worried about how well this would go. The prior year, we had noted a nice looking ramp about 10 miles South. We found it was owned by a local boat club and were able to reach the commodore, who graciously gave us the gate code and said we could use it. Tom drove the truck and trailer there and I drove the boat down. The only issue was the river current, but after multiple tries we were able to haul out, with the boat safely and securely loaded!

So, “technically” we are done with our loop a month sooner than expected. I say “technically” because we really consider the start of our loop at our home driveway. Over the past few years we had hoped to visit Lake Powell in Arizona and Utah but Covid happened and then the water levels were too low. Well, the water levels have improved some over the past two years due to large winter snowpacks and water conservation efforts by cities downstream. So, we decided to do a “side trip” to Lake Powell before heading home.