Day 6 - The Port of Havana — Captain Father John

Miles cruised 42, fuel purchased 0, dock fee $50

The scuttlebutt from our Looper friends was spot on. There is no supervision at the Peoria city docks. We had a quiet night right downtown for free. There were no cleats where we tied up even though there were electric hookups for a wall plug. There was a better place to tie up at the west side of the city docks that has cleats. Next time.

We visited the farmers market and craft fair before shoving off at 11:00 am. We caught a break at the Peoria Lock which had dropped its wicket dam and we were able to cruise over the dam without having to stop. The Illinois River continues to be almost entirely rural with the occasional barge depot and railroad bridge. We travelled to the Port of Havana today: Havana,Illinois that is. We are staying at the Tall Timbers Marina which is a red neck riviera. We caught up with several other Loopers. Nice boats – Azumit 54, a new Sea Ray Sundancer 48 and Grand Banks 42. It’s Looperville here tonight. The Tall Timbers Marina has a lot of pride of ownership with all the facilities top notch and cash only policy.

Havana is located on the Illinois River near the Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge, and a short distance from Bath, Illinois. Havana was notorious as a gambling river town, and it is reported that notables such as Al Capone would hunt, fish, and gamble in the local clubs. The racial makeup of the city is 98.49% White, 0.14% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.53% Asian. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.59% of the population. Not a lot of diversity in this town.

On Sunday we will attempt a 120 mile cruise to Grafon, Il. at mile marker 0. The LaGrange Lock has their wickets lowered so we hope to get through before they start operating the lock again.

We picked up a variety of fresh foods at the farmers’s market.

Here is a full view of the Spririt of Peoria as seen from the river

Changing Latitudes at the Tall Timbers Marina in Havana, Illinois