St Louis Arch and then on to Kaskaskia Lock and Little Diversion Anchorage


We had visited the Gateway Arch yesterday by car and today by boat.  One major difference was that yesterday it was 95 degrees and today it's in the low 50s. 


The winter coats came back out.  We have not worn these since our Gulf crossing in mid February!



This is one of those "highlight" photos of the Great Loop in front of the Arch all while the current in the Mississippi is roaring along. You have to take that picture quickly!


My turn at the helm below.


Some of the boats that left with us this morning stopped at Hoppies but we wanted to get a little further to make the next day shorter. Hoppies is a well known stop on the Loop and has been for many years. However, one of the three barges used to form the docks recently sank so their availability is even more limited. Besides, it means docking right in the current. Below is a picture of the place as we passed by.


We pulled into the Kaskaskia River and you can tie to the lock wall for free and you are out of the current.  Notice how calm the water is.  We were running with a 3-4 knot current all day.



Very peaceful no stress kind of stop - just what we were looking for. We tied there with 5 other boats that night.



Quiet calm contrast to the Mississippi River just half a mile down stream.


One of our prettiest sunsets!


Back on the Mississippi the next morning and you can see how the River is ripping past the buoy (but pictures don't do it justice - you can actually hear the water rushing past those buoys).



Mid afternoon we got to our anchorage at Little Diversion Creek.  There were 6 of us that anchored here in the peaceful waters - again just off of the Big Muddy.




Rest up, tomorrow is a lllooonnnggg day!!

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