Port #19: Bridging Our Way to Joliet...

Great Loop II Date: 9/6/2014

Day #37 (Saturday): 36.5 miles (1066 total miles)

Locks: 1 (4 total locks)

Port #19:  Joliet, IL

The clock rang its happy sound at 4:45AM.  Charlie and I got up, put the first pot of coffee in our thermos and started the second pot.  With a few sips of Joe on board, Charlie and I headed out the door so he could sniff some grass and stretch his legs.

By the time we came back to OB, Todd was up, dressed, had our route on both navigations systems and was ready to cast off.  Our neighboring boat, Andante, was measuring his height to make sure he could transit under the last fixed bridge on this route.  Once past that railroad bridge, there are no other height restrictions.

We talked with Andante about our plans.  Theirs were the same however they decided to leave a little later.  We cast our lines off and were underway.

The morning air was cool, crisp and dry.  A nice front had come through the evening before and left a good amount of rain.  Wind was minimal and not a factor for us in the river or the locks.  We only had one lock ahead of us, the Lockport Lock.

As we headed down the Calumet River, we passed four boats that were sunk at their docks.  One was at a private dock and three were in a marina that looked abandoned.  There was no information published about this area but it sure looked strange.

Charlie checking out the situation.

Todd busy with Captain's duties.

The tranquil setting of the river.

The Little Calumet River joins the Calumet Sag Channel.

Old locks along the riverside abandoned after new locks were built.

Next on the Calumet Sag Channel was bridge after bridge.  We cleared all of them including the fixed 19 foot bridge.  Also along the way were many barges ready to be staged for transit on the rivers.  A few tows were working the barges.  We found all to tow captains to be very accommodating.

The bridges were close together.  All were high enough to go under without any concern except ONE.

Most of the graffiti was common place, however some was really beautiful.

There even was some graffiti on the rock walls between bridges.

Also, there were some beautiful waterfall spillways in park settings.  They help control the drainage from little creeks and pools off of the Cal-Sag.

This was the last waterfall and where the Cal-Sag joins the Chicago Shipping and Sanitary Canal.

The red arrow is the Chicago Shipping Channel and the green arrow is the Calumet Sag Channel.  Many Loopers never see the Cal-Sag opting to come through Chicago if their height permits.

This was a nice backyard with a ready made retaining wall left over from an old lock wall.

The Chicago Shipping Channel was busier with tows moving barges around.  All of the tow captains were very good to help us get by them safely.

THAT'S the bridge that causes some concern.  When the water levels are up, the clearance may be less than the documented height of 19 feet.  We passed under it with more than 2 feet above the highest part of OB.

My view of the railroad bridge.  Looks frightening but it really wasn't.  We go slow especially in tight spaces.

The famous Fish Barrier signs came into view alerting us to check the status of transit with Channel 16 (USCG).  Todd did so with absolutely no response.  We moved through the 0.7 miles without any problem and no communication on the radio.  I did find it interesting that all the ducks and sea gulls were lined up on the south side of the barrier.  It must tickle their feet so they know not to go further.  Fishing is probably pretty good for them right there since any fish going past that point are supposedly stunned or killed by the electrical current in the water.

The early warning sign before entering the Fish Barrier. This is when a call is made to the USCG on Channel 16.  They didn't respond to our call during this passage nor did they in 2010.  We're beginning to think we don't exist!

The channel leading to the Fish Barrier...with a huge petroleum refinery just before it on the north side.

The barrier starts at this arch.

This is the 0.7 miles worth of electrified water.  There were signs all along like the ones above.

The end...notice the ducks and seagulls all sitting on the other side of the sign.  Either they can read or they've had their toes shocked a few times.

Shortly after the Fish Barrier we were at our only lock for the day, the Lockport Lock.  A barge that had to be brought up-bound in two sections was just completing their lock through.  A down-bound barge and tow were staged to transit next.  The lockmaster asked the tow captain if Ocean Breeze could come through with them.  After a little discussion, the tow captain invited us in alongside.

Just before we were cleared to enter the lock, 5 more Looping boats came to the lock wall.  The lockmaster asked the tow captain if they could lock through as well.  The tow captain felt one was enough.

Lock down was uneventful.  We were held in the lock for almost an hour from the beginning to the point the doors opened and we were given the all clear to leave.  OB was extended a little forward in the path of the lock doors, so the lockmaster did notify us when we could untie from the bollard and back up enough to allow the doors to open completely.

The spillway before the lock.  It controls water levels at the lock.

The tow leaving the lock before the Robert Wagenstall could enter.

There's our lock companion...the Robert Wagenstall with his barges.

This is what Todd sees from the bridge...the lock doors.

This is what I see while keeping us to the lock wall.  That big pin in front of me is a bollard.  It moves up or down with the water as it fills or leaves the lock.  I have to put a line around the bollard and hold it while we go up or down in the lock.

Joliet was just down river from the lock.  We transited the three lift bridges quickly and were at the free park wall to tie up by 2:15PM.  The Loopers behind us were held up by an upbound tow that had to be broken into two sections followed by a down-bound tow that also had to break into two sections.  By the time they entered the Lockport Lock, 10 Looper boats had congregated to make the transit.  They all arrived at the Joliet free wall around 7:30PM.  There were three other boats on the wall besides OB so all hands were on deck to help these tired Loopers tie up.  Needless to say, the free wall was full and it looked like a convoy!

OB tucked in for the night at the Joliet Free Wall.

This 4X4 Barge (4 across and 4 deep=16 barges) and tow came by us around 10PM. He REALLY struggled to manipulate his load at an angle to get positioned for the next bridge one block away.  We watched him for 30 minutes until he finally made way past the bridge.  In 2007 a barge took out 3 pleasure boats along the Joliet wall on the other side of this bridge.  They no longer allow pleasure craft to dock there.  The bend it too tight for barges such as this one.