At least the boat got washed
12-OCT-2020 Monday – Jack Oak Island, Cassville, WI (~UMR mile 606) to Pleasant Creek Recreational Area, Belleve, IA (~UMR mile 553) 71 nautical miles (81.7 statute)
42°12’52.5″N 90°22’45.3″W
42.214571, -90.379259
Elevation: 590 feet
Total Elevation Change: -18 feet
Locks (2)
Mississippi River Lock 11 – mile 583, Dubuque, IA
Mississippi River Lock 12 – mile 557, Bellevue, IA
States (3)
Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois
Good Morning!
Today was one of those lay around in bed days. Rain. At least the outside the boat is getting washed. If it was a touch warmer I’d be out there with boat soap and a brush.
At 8:30am I listened to the 4th train within 20 minutes. I only know this because I was making coffee and breakfast at the time. I should have counted all of the ones that woke me up last night.
You can see how close the train track is. 
As far as trains go size doesn’t matter. The all blow their horns as they rumble thunder past. It must drive these people crazy!!!!!!!
Other neighbors
to the South 
to the west
About 10:30am we pulled anchor. Enough of sitting around!
Along the Way
Over taking the Mississippi Princess, real paddle wheel propulsion. She’s a privately owned boat.
You can tell by its flags there was quite a tail wind today.
We used all our locking skills today at Lock 11 in Dubuque IA.
The Lock Master said the wind was at 25 mph sustaining with gust up to 35 mph. He judged the wave height at the lock entrance at 2.5 to 3 feet. As if that wasn’t enough of a challenge, the lock’s working tug was in the lock with us. Rather than tying the tug to the wall like we do, the tug pushed its front into the wall and left its transmissions in forward gear. This add more churn and additional turbulence to our entry and descent.
Our original plan was to get fuel here. It’s silted in.
TT (tiny tug)
Dale called the Port of Dubuque Marina a week ago and was told water level at the flood gate was one to two feet. Today when Dale called they said it was about 7 feet at gate.
Mary watched depth while Dale threaded the needle through the marina’s flood gate. 
The fuel dock is open but pretty much everything else is cleared out 
Look who just arrived! The Mississippi Princess. 
I wonder how she faired in Lock 11. 
Sea Dragon
We are getting to the end of the bluff country.
Fall colors are just starting to turn. 
Things are starting to flatten out.
There are lots of barges along the shoreline. I can’t quite figure out how they are secured.
It appears they are simply tied to old tires. There has to be more to it than that.
Chestnut Mt Resort, Galena IL Ski at Statute River Mile 562. Wonder how long their ski season is?
We free floated through Lock 12. Both Dale and I dislike free floating and prefer being tied off. The lock didn’t give us a choice. I think we either interrupted supper or a card game. I fendered both sides of the boat just incase they were also going to drop the water fast. There was also enough wind to really keep us on our toes.
New construction in Bellevue. It will be interesting to see how it turns out on our return trip.
But of course! Minutes after we set anchor the first of many trains rolled by.
Drolleries and Yuks
Why does the Mississippi River flow south out of Minnesota?
Because Iowa sucks!
Why does all the corn in Nebraska lean east?
Because Iowa sucks!
(Sorry Iowa. I know this isn’t true. I just had to do.)
What does IOWA stand for?
IDIOTS OUT WALKING AROUND
I OWE THE WORLD AND APPOLOGY
How do you know it’s Prom season in Iowa?
There are 10 tractors in every McDonalds parking lot
Did you hear about the Iowa farmer who only wore one boot in the winter?
He heard there was a 50% chance of snow!