We were underway about an hour when one of the Loopers ahead of us called back to tell everyone the Peoria Lock was "closed for repairs" until 2000! For those of you who haven't heard, the entire area has suffered a tremendous drop in water level. Many of the marina's are inaccessible because there's not enough water! Anyone on the river began ducking in and by the time we reached an area that could accommodate our draft requirements, every slip was taken. There was a Coast Guard Station across from the Peoria town dock and we called. They graciously extended an invitation but when we attempted to come alongside the dock, we were seeing mud stirring from the prop. We thanked them and said we just couldn't' take the chance. Then they offered us a spot alongside their buoy tender. This is a 65' buoy tender and a 99' buoy barge. Sangamon is our "Mother Ship" for the evening. After all, isn't that where a "tug boat" belongs? Alongside a barge??
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