Havana to Big Blue Island Anchorage

October 15 - October 16

Our next goal is Havana, (Illinois, not Cuba). We left Peoria around 8:30 heading straight for the Peoria Lock and Dam only six miles downstream. As often happens, we had to wait for a barge to lock through in front of us. We circled for almost an hour while we waited. The drop here is only about five feet. It is such a short drop that, at times, the Lock Master will lower the dam wickets and allow boats to pass through without locking. That's not going to be the case for us though!

Havana is 45 miles or so south of Peoria. There is another free dock where we can tie up for the night there. Mystic leads the way with Much Gusto following. When we arrived around 3:30 we realized the dock is in very shallow water; only about four feet deep. We pulled away and called Scott on the VHF, letting him know we don't have enough water for Mystic's draft. Mucho Gusto draws only three feet of water. Scott maneuvered her to the dock. The catamaran is 20 feet wide so Scott can tell that his starboard side is in water plenty deep for Mystic. He radios that we can pull alongside and raft up to Mucho Gusto. This is good news because we are already scrambling to figure out an alternative Plan.

Havana Welcome ~ Nature Center

Mucho Gusto with Mystic rafted alongside in Havana

It was a very windy day. Our anometer recorded gusts of 19 mph. The shallow water creates short, close waves. It makes for a long rough day. After securing the boats we walked into town to explore. Scott and Rhonda stopped by ACE hardware to ask about filling their propane tank. They have a custom tank that they want to refill instead of exchange. ACE will do this for them but not until the morning. It is closing time. We make note of their Sunday hours then go to Babe’s for a cocktail. It is a popular with the locals.

At sunset, the sky is so beautiful, streaked with red. Rhonda commented, “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight.” We can only hope that tomorrow will bring us delight or at least no troubles. We are feeling so lucky today to be sharing this experience.

Red Sky at Night Sailor's Delight

Scott and Rhonda decided to grab breakfast in town while they fill the propane tank at ACE. Dave and I went for a run through Havana instead of joining them. It is our first run in a couple weeks and feels wonderful.

Bees and Fences

Eagle in the Nature Center

Havana Road Pavers

Gulls on Dock rail

Gulls leaving rail in a wave

Photo of a photo ~ Carp jumping on the river.
I've been trying to capture a picture of my own of this phenomenon!

Our next stop will be an anchorage. We need to navigate a long 120 miles over the next couple days. We choose Big Blue Island, 60 miles away. We left the Havana Dock around 9:45. The wind had not lessened. In fact, the gusts are even greater. We passed Good Fortune, a pirate ship motoring north on the Illinois. It is so big that it dwarfs Mucho Gusto.

Good Fortune

Pirate Ship

Good Fortune passing Mucho Gusto 

The waterway guides, Active Captain and every reference we can find regarding anchoring at Big Blue indicate that the north side of the island is best. We thought we could slide up behind it but once we got there it was clear that it was far too shallow to enter. We decided to anchor between the channel marker and shore under a big beautiful full moon. A bald eagle was on the opposite shore enjoying a meal. A second eagle joined the first. It was a long day but it was so warm that we were in shorts most of the day with record high temps in the 80’s. We are not thrilled about this anchorage alongside the channel. Dave made biscuits to go with our spaghetti squash. We tried to sleep but the Tows spotlight wake me each time they scan the channel and rest on Mystic’s hull. It fills our cabin with light. I was so anxious but managed to fall asleep some time after midnight.

We covered over 60 miles today and hope to cover another 60 tomorrow. If we do, we will be in Grafton at mile 0 of the Illinois. And then we will enter the Mississippi!

Moon over Big Blue Island