First few days - Davenport to Louisiana, Missouri

After all the preparation , the day finally arrived to begin our Great American Loop journey. We hosted a fun farewell party the night before for our club members and friends. Many came and toasted us, wished us well and lavished gifts and cards upon us. We so appreciated all of this and all of the prayers, and our Pastor Keith blessing our boat last week.

Thursday we made it a short day and went to Muscatine (Ann's hometown) only 25 miles away. As we left Lindsay , we waved goodbye to Sara and Tim who took our photo. Then a friend, Juliana , who lives close by , took our photo heading into the lock. In Muscatine we enjoyed eating at the Merrill Hotel, had a beverage at The Pearl Bar at Hotel Muscatine, and enjoyed a band that played on the riverfront at the "Almost Friday Fest". Also enjoyed Muscatine's amazing bridge lights.

Friday was a longer day as we traveled to Keokuk, Iowa which was 91 miles, which took us longer than expected due to a 2 hour wait at one of the locks. Left at 7 am and arrived there at 5:30 pm. Docked right on the channel at the very welcoming and fun Keokuk Yacht Club. Enjoyed a pizza there and retired early.

Saturday we went 82 miles with 4 locks and 2 railroad bridges that needed opening for us, from Keokuk to Two Rivers Marina which is in Illinois right across the river from the town of Louisiana, Missouri. We had no waits for locks that day which was a blessing. The lock in Keokuk was our first lock with ballards, where you attach a rope to a ballard that slides down with you instead of just holding on to a rope like most locks we are familiar with. It was a 38 foot drop too. Quite the fun experience. Arrived at 2:30 in time to watch the Iowa Hawkeye game, only to discover it was only on Peacock which we don't have! The marina no longer has a restaurant, but the owner kindly loaned us their car and sent us to a fun bar/restaurant in Louisiana, Missouri called K.C. Next Door. We had excellent food there and watched most of the game. Back at the marina, we met a fellow looper, Marcel, doing the loop alone on a sailboat!

Sunday, we worshiped with our church back home as it was live-streamed. Rested up to be ready to go to Grafton tomorrow where we will officially be on the Loop Route!

MUSCATINE

KEOKUK

Lock with Ballard, railroad bridge, and Two Rivers Marina and KC Next Door watching game