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There
is a commercial tow in the lock so I am delayed about 45 minutes. I drop an anchor over the
side and kick back with an interesting book.
The river moves at its own speed and it has decided
I need a break. With
Lock 3 finished I now have three things in mind – food, fuel and a
place to call home for the night. I am getting closer to the
Minneapolis, MN metropolitan area so I am concerned with going too much
farther. My travels
have taught me that safe and quiet anchorages are usually sparse in the
vicinity of most large cities – commercial interest usually dominates. Quimby’s
list a marina that would seem to have promise for fuel and maybe
anchorage if I can’t locate a spot to hang on the hook. As I enter the
harbor it is painfully obvious how quickly things can change on the
river. Although my
Quimby’s is the current 2006 version (unlike my 17 year old chart!)
Willie’s Hidden Harbor Marina has changed from the last time they rated
it. And not for the
better. The
refueling facility has been abandon and although there are many boats
in the slips weeds seem to be sprouting from every crevasse. As I make
my way around the horseshoe shaped harbor I take note of a small slough
that leads downstream.
Now I
need a place for the night. Nothing nearby looks promising so I decide
to run the mile or so back to Willie’s to check out the slough. As I
enter it I first think it might be too narrow. If a creek or
slough looks like it may be navigatable I always like to allow space
for another boat to pass. After
all, I am a guest and the last thing I want is to tick of the locals. I go a little farther and
it widens enough to allow passage. Looks
good but there is one problem. Because
of its secluded location it is sheltered from the wind. Normally this
is a good thing but not this evening.
It is about an hour until sunset and it is still hot. Very hot! I set
for a while with my small 12v fan blowing on me but finally surrender.
The water there is sort of still and nasty so I idle back to the main
channel where there is a little breeze and drag Therapy up on a sand
shoreline. I really wanted to keep my sliced foot out of the river
water as much as possible but Mother Nature was forcing my hand (or
foot?). I needed to
get good and wet to cool off. I floated around in the
85-degree water until the sun was low, then returned to the slough for
a very peaceful night.
At the 847 MM I approach Lock 1 and although a small lock it is still impressive. It is situated in a small narrow gorge with steep rock walls. At 38’ this is the second highest lift of any lock on the Mississippi. I enter the chamber with no wait. It is also nice that finally I am locking in a chamber with floating bollards. Didn’t have to hang on to the lousy rope!
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It
was getting late in the day but there was still ample time to make one
more lock before looking for an anchorage.
I exit and run a little farther up
river to River Heights Marina at the 830.3 MM. Here I top of
the one tank and inquire about the restaurant. The dockhand
directs me to a slip I can use while eating and I make my way to what
is more bar than restaurant.