September 29, 2013 Hardin, IL Riverdock Restaurant

After 2 days on the Lugsdon tow barges we were up and moving down river around 8 am this morning.  The reputed big storm which moved through during the night fizzled a bit and all we had was a few wind quests and infrequent bursts of rain.   But we did have some heavy morning ground fog and of course our venerable Furuno radar was acting up but luckily the fog lifted soon after we left so no worries.

We hit the LaGrange Lock about an hour later and they were ready for us so we had no delays.  The drop was only 11 feet so it was quick and easy.  This is the last lock on the Illinois River.  

Passing a tow

Heading on down stream presented a vista of rather rural / country scenery with little or no development except for the occasional town.  We passed some very attractive anchorages behind small islands forming the river bank.  And there were a few barges we had to over take or pass.  We did begin to notice little sand beaches along certain stretches of the river reminiscent  of the upper Mississippi.

Beaches!!

The plan was to make it to the Riverdock Restaurant in Hardin, IL which was a good 70+ mile run.  Then the next day would be a short 20 mile run to Grafton or if we decide to go further, a 35 mile run to Alton. 

Free docks at Hardin

We did make it here around 5 pm.  The dock was, well something to tie up too at best.  It was comprised of a one section of rather low steel grating which joined to another section of  a floating steel tank like thing with welded cleats.   We approached into the current and headed for the higher of the dock sections where Mary snagged a cleat and then I was able to spring off that line to bring the bow and stern sections of the boat in towards the dock.  It was an incident free docking adventure.  

  

We helped Field Trip tie up and had cocktails aboard their boat before heading up to the River Dock restaurant along the path of gravel and rusted steel ramps.  

Docks and "path"

The path from the dock to the restaurant is not for the tipsy.  

In a display of boater solidarity or simply a shared lack of culinary diversity we all ordered the "famous" beef brisket.  And it was pretty good.  The portions though  ... sheez.  We could eat for days with what was provided.  They also had cherry pie but Bob and I decided to save it for breakfast the next morning and asked them to set it aside for us which, amid much chuckling, they did.  

The Path

We made it back down the rickety path to the boats and shortly there after off to bed.

Riverdock Restaurant coming from the dock