We were only going to Alton today which was about 14 miles away. We departed at 0845 and were glad to underway again. Alton was a bigger city and had more to offer us. Things such as restaurants, antique stores, cheap fuel and discounted docks. The trip was an easy one and when we arrived at Alton we fueled up and pumped out and were ready to hunker down as it was a cool and cloudy day. We reviewed some charts with Bob and Kemba then had a bit of a lazy afternoon.
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| OUR LADY OF THE RIVERS SHRINE |
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| THIS REMINDED US OF THE BRUCE PENINSULA BACK HOME |
This 50' shrine was built after the disastrous flood of 1951 in gratitude for the water stopping short of flooding the village of Portage des Sioux. Mid July, each year the blessing of the fleet is held at the shrine. (Notes from Skipper Bob)
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| HYDRO-ELECTRIC POWER PLANT |
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| UNLOADING COAL TO FEED THE POWER PLANT |
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| CASINO ON THE WATER |
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| LEWIS BRIDGE |
We have been invited to diner that evening along with four other looper couples. The local AGLCA harbour hosts Robert and Patty Mitchell with Maggie the wonder dog from Orinoco have been busy the last week or so taking all passing loppers to one of the local restaurants for dinner. They have been busy escorting ten or so people every day for the last week. Thanks to Patty and Robert from all us loopers. Your hospitality, generosity and laughs are appreciated and will be remembered.
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| L to R Kemba, Terri, Mark, Rusty, Betty, Patty, Robert, Steve, Beth and of course Bob. |
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| DOWNTOWN ALTON |
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| A LOT OF PAWN SHOPS IN THE AREA |
The next day we were picked up at the dock in a Cadillac which was used as a shuttle car by the local grocery store. Any time a boater gets a shuttle to a grocery store it is a good day and today was no exception. We did our shopping and returned to the boat with a warm feeling that only a well-stocked pantry and refrigerator can provide.
After that we called a cab and went for lunch with the intention of hunting down the antique stores that Terri had heard about. Lunch was great and that’s all I have to say about that Terri. My afternoon was spent assuming the position at all the various antique stores. If I was lucky there would be a chair for me to sit in if not I would just have to look interested in the antiques. I have done this many times before in my new my role, that being the supporting husband. Terri has done a lot of things for me over the years and this was a little payback. I did not grumble. The one curious thing that happened was meeting a merchant that didn’t want to sell his wares. Terri found what she thought was the perfect chair for our front hall back home. When she enquired about shipping, the merchant said that they don’t ship goods and then lost the sale. Things must be good in the antique business.
We would be leaving tomorrow and wanted a good rest so it was a good meal on board, another episode of Rome and off to bed for me.
Mark
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