GRAFTON (10-9) thru (10-14)


 We arrived in Grafton Harbor some 61 miles away. Grafton is at the junction of the Illinois and Mississippi  Rivers. We made a quick run over to Port Charles, MO for fuel and back to Grafton. This was our first fuel up since our departure from MC, IN. We enjoyed the great fuel mileage running with the current. This will change when we enter the Ohio River. Settling in with a shower and a dinner of stir fried rice, we watched the Alabama and Texas A&M football game. We were docked under a canopy, the first time for us. Doing laundry and cleaning the boat was necessary as usual the next day. I went to a few shops here that offered  wood and stone figures. On Sunday we headed to  the pool area for Looper Docktails. There were several loopers  that we met. Randy & Anita on Drifter, Rachael & Capt. Brian on No worries, Aaron & Mary Lee on Good Spirits, Joe & Ann on Out Of The Blue, Michael & Cindy on Experior, Melanie & Justin and their dog Peggy on Sabot. It is always a pleasure to meet up with a group that has so much knowledge and stories to communicate to others. The third day into our stay here, we were on boat most of the day, because of thunderstorms passing through. They had a tornado touch done about 30 miles away from here.

In the afternoon, after the weather cleared up, we went to see the lighthouse and a sculpture of a snapping turtle with a frog on top of it. We went to The Loading Dock for lunch and on the way out the owner gave us a ride back to the marina because it started to rain again. The people here are so nice and friendly. On Tuesday John changed the oil on the boat. We got a courtesy car to get a few products and more oil from the Walmart nearby. The next day John and I walked to the Post Office to mail out his sample of oil, something he does every time he changes the oil. They test it for contamination. Then he was busy cleaning the outside of the boat while I managed to make a screen for our deck door. It came out pretty good. At  the Oyster Bar we met with Pam & Hank Geib on Slainte, fellow loopers. On Thursday I got my hair cut, and did laundry again.John went ziplining.

We went to the Oyster Bar again with Randy & Anita, and had a great time. After visiting them on their boat, it was sad to say so long. They are taking a year off.Hopefully we can keep in touch,  since they are an exceptional couple. John and I wish them a safe journey, until we meet again.

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