Grafton, IL to Kimmswick, MO (Hoppies)

As you can see by the picture we passed through St. Louis, MO today - what a beautiful site to see the arch and the city of St. Louis from the river.  We passed where the Missouri meets the Mississippi and if you can believe it the Missouri is muddier than the Mississippi.  There is also an incredible amount of turbulence where the rivers meet and the river around St. Louis is loaded with commercial traffic.  To top it off we had a 6 mph current and a bit of debris in the river - quite a wild ride.

We made it safely to Hoppies Marine Service in Kimmswick, MO.  What a neat little town and this marina has lots of history.  It was started in 1934 and Fern and Hoppie took over running it after Hoppie’s father died.  As is tradition at this marina, Fern sits down with all the boaters and details what to expect when heading south down the river.  She took us all the way to Mobile with her vast knowledge of the river.

Fern and Ken

Below are a few pictures of this marina which is so full of ambiance.  I even got a picture of the Coast Guard auxiliary preparing to go out on night maneuvers.  Thought Neil would enjoy the picture!

Hoppies Marina

Coast Guard

We have met such interesting friendly folks already.  A lovely couple from Sweden who have been traveling around the US for 3 years in the summers. We met them in Grafton.  They had just come down from Detroit.  Their boat is below - 47 year old sailboat.

 We also met a couple from Racine, WI who are traveling the Loop on their Ocean Alexander.  They even have a pet African Grey bird.  The boat name is “Kismet”  They were not familiar with “Miss Jewel” but you might need to look them up Jean and Denny when they return.  There boat is below!

Kismet - Beth and Dean

Temperature was 102 today, tomorrow it is supposed to be 104 according to Hoppie!  Keeping our fingers crossed for cooler weather.  It makes you really tired at the end of the day.

That’s all for now  - Pat