Chicago to St Louis run 5/4-5/5 Great Loop Run

[Wisefam22]

Looks Like yall are making good distance now. How are water levels?

 

[Betik]

As I was driving I was same channel makers barely above water. Maybe a foot or two.
So far it seems rather debris free.

The weather is real nice ( a bit chilly, but real nice).

 

[Betik]

They are less than 5 miles from the first stop .......

 

[Wisefam22]

@Betik do you know how that is compared to where they expected to be?

 

[robert843]

@Wisefam22 we are for sure moving slower then we hoped the goal is still Peoria but it is going to be super tight and there is a lock in question.

 

[Wisefam22]

@robert843 Be safe and enjoy what you do cover.

 

[robert843]

Well the lock in question is letting us through so we will at least make it to starved rock but still hoping to hit Peoria things have for sure gotten sketchy at this point most of the channel markers a submerged and we have not seen a ramp we can pull from in a bit now so getting out tonight is going to be shady as well

 

[BigAbe75]

Well the lock in question is letting us through so we will at least make it to starved rock but still hoping to hit Peoria things have for sure gotten sketchy at this point most of the channel markers a submerged and we have not seen a ramp we can pull from in a bit now so getting out tonight is going to be shady as well

Are the Peoria marinas underwater? Would you be able to dock there overnight, or do you have to pull it out for the night? Did you end up with 2 chase vehicles? I thought I read that the 2nd chase vehicle couldn't leave until tomorrow and would catch up?

 

[Betik]

Second vehicle is going tonight at Peoria.
The teams is currently at the Marcellus locks

 

[Betik]

They disappeared all I can see is the the vhf antenna

 

[Wisefam22]

Noticed yall went back to a marine about 10min ago, all okay?

 

[Wisefam22]

Appears starved rock lock and dam was closed? Are yall dropping in below lock?

 

[Betik]

Boat is on the trailer. We are towing to Peoria.
We will decide tonight where we are dropping tomorrow

 

[BigAbe75]

Boat is on the trailer. We are towing to Peoria.
We will decide tonight where we are dropping tomorrow

What about boat 2?

 

[Betik]

We left boat 2 docked at Ottawa yacht club and the crew was having drinks. Their chase driver was runing a bit late.
I am not sure what the plans are for tomorrow. I am at a different hotel from both my crew and boat 2 crew. Although I do believe boat 2 has hotel reservations at Peoria for tonight

 

[robert843]

What about boat 2?

Boat 2’s crew made it safely to Peoria and we did as well but unfortunately this will be where the journey ends for both boats as our original pull out location to end the trip is underwater and alternative locations that have been explored are in no better shape. We will plan to come back later this year when the Starved Rock to Peoria run is planned and we will continue on to St Louis when everyone stops in Peoria. It was an incredible trip today and @swatski and @Betik thank you so much for your awesome assistance today

 

[swatski]

Appears starved rock lock and dam was closed? Are yall dropping in below lock?

Yes, the Starved Rock locks were inoperable (and closed), so there was no way to proceed.
The last lock, in Marseilles, was considered closed but they did open it for us and let us through:


It was an epic day, that started with a run along Lake Michigan, Chicago downtown, and ended in Starved Rock.
Hope the guys will posts some pics, I've been slacking...
Here is @Nickp98:


@Betik was incredible tracking us down along the shore and finding possible locations for retrieval.
We lucked out with a ramp at Starved Rock Yacht Club.
Decided to end on that high note and trailered for the night in Peoria.



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[Liveto99]

Awesome just awesome!

 

[Betik]

Back up ramps ......

 

[swatski]

We've decided not to push further down.
We figured it would be foolhardy, but more importantly disrespectful towards the locals and the first responders. There is no need for recreational boating in the areas inundated with severe flooding!

TBD - dates to finish the race, we will restart in Starved Rock and continue South, hopefully past Grafton and Alton into Mississippi - passing downtown St. Louis.
(Looking forward to pictures of Yamaha armada in the backdrop of the St. Louis Arch, the monument of westward expansion.)


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