Mississippi River boating pics

[Knot It]

Well, the winter chill has got me really missing my boat an the fun we have on it so I was looking through the puter and my phone and stumbled across these pictures of some of our boating fun last year. These pictures were taken in late summer early fall 2014 and was our last trip before the end of the season. A group of friends from our marina traveled up stream beginning just above the confluence of the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers to Two Rivers Marina in Rockport, IL. It was a great trip and the weather and scenery was just beautiful. Hope you enjoy the pics.

We just pulled out of the harbor and the admiral is getting primed for the day. Funny thing how we fellas get to load everything, do the safety and mechanical checks/inspections and all the other prep work while they stay in bed getting their beauty rest. Yes, vodka n diet squirt is momma's morning coffee when were on the boat.


This picture is taken looking just below the Lock and Dam in Winfield, MO. Just to the left out of frame is an awesome restaurant/bar called Cedar Hill Bar n Grill.


This is pulling up to the dam. We were in no real hurry to get up close as the lock master said it would be about a 1-2 hour wait.


This is my buddy Craig and his '99 370. On the way home, he hit a submerged log and bent a prop pretty good. He was still able to make it home but did have some "good vibrations" to talk about.


The next two are our group entering the lock.



The next ones are us getting back on plane above the dam and then our friends in their 41' Meridian slowing down for the lock and dam in Clarksville, MO.



During our trip, it was a beautiful ride and all systems appeared to be working perfectly, that was until I turned around and noticed "she was smokin" just a bit. After a very long visual inspection, I thought things were ok but decided to keep an eye on her just in case...you know what they say, "If its got tits, tires, props or propellers, its gonna cost you money and cause you problems as long as you own it.


The last picture is of us approaching our destination in Rockport, IL. Thats an old train bridge in the fore ground and the US 54 bridge in the distance. Two Rivers Marina is just up stream from the 54 bridge on the right side.


Over all it was a great 5 day excursion and I think we will be doing the trip again next year. Anyone else got some fun boating pics to share?

Thanks for looking,
Sam

 

[230weekenderUSC]

Great post, thanks for the pics! As a coastal person, the river trip always sounds so cool to me!

 

[Do Over]

Thanks for the pics Sam....I love me some boats but I'm seeing other reasons to get together with you guys :grin:

 

[Knot It]

Is it you wanna go to cedar hill, or you need help with pre-launch stuff...LOL

 

[Stray Cat]

Sam, nice pics from down stream. We've never been that far south, but would love to make the trip. I'm starting to miss the boat too, especially with the fuel prices this low. Here are some that I've taken over the past few years. There scenery in pool 10 is some of the best on the Upper Mississippi.


After a long week at work...I can feel my blood pressure dropping. Taken on the Wisconsin side looking toward Guttenberg, IA.


Further up river is Lake Pepin, one of the few times we've been on it when calm. No Sailboaters!


This is our favorite overnight backwater anchorage near McGregor, IA. Through the cut is Pikes Peak Park (Iowa isn't all flat)


And here we are...Stray Cats

 

[Knot It]

Here are some that I've taken over the past few years. There scenery in pool 10 is among the best on the Upper Mississippi

Nice pics. How far above Keokuk, IA are you. I want to make that trip someday. I hear once you get there the river really clears up and is like a lake.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Great shots all. I love going through the locks on the Columbia and Snake Rivers out here. I've long said that anybody can drive a boat straight down the river. It's when you come to something like a lock or a tight dock that separates that real skippers from the once or twice a year dudes.

PS. I like that shot of your deck hand. :smt038

 

[Stray Cat]

How far above Keokuk, IA are you. I want to make that trip someday. I hear once you get there the river really clears up and is like a lake.

Keokuk lock 19 is around mile marker 364 while lock 10 is at mm 615...so right around 251 river miles. Depending on the rains we get, the river seems a bit more clear during mid / late summer. If you want to experience a really clear river, the St Croix is the place to go. (bear to the right descending bank @ Prescott, WI) In addition, eagles are so common up here, that we often forget how privledged we are to see them.

 

[Beerlust]

Great pictures! I am amped up for another great season on the St Criox and Mississippi river.

 

[bigblockcutlass]

cool

 

[tdschafer]

Great pics! One question you guys may or may not be able to answer. When I scroll through the threads on Tapatalk, these are the pics that come up associated with this thread:

Any idea why they are there and not all are part of the thread? I hate this new Tapatalk!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Todd

 

[Knot It]

Ut oh! I'm gonna be in trouble again..two of the three I posted in the original thread. I had to edit and remove one cause the admiral said so and Ill let you guys guess which one it was. As for it showing up on tap talk I cant answer that but hope mama don't see it. Guess the saying that what you put on the internet is there forever is really true. LOL.

 

[bigblockcutlass]

All I posted was the word "cool". Don't not know were the pics came from.