Alton Marina, Alton, IL
We missed the 13 Looper boats by 1 day. They had been here for a week. With the great special of pay 3, get 3 folks tend to stay longer than 3 days. Alton Marina is also one of the last reliable places to refuel and get water. After this the Mississippi becomes the area where very few amentities are available. Stock up on groceries, change your engine oils or impellers here at the dock. The marina has an oil disposal area available for the waste to be disposed of properly. This entire marina is a floating marina, including office, restrooms, all docks even those with covered slips. The massive poles allow everything to slide up and down depending on water levels. They are probably about 25 feet tall.
It is our intention to stock up for the trip southbound. After yesterday of laundry, engine oil changes, and pickleball today is grocery day. There is a butcher, bakery and grocery within 1 mile of the marina. Scott plans our route through the little city so we can take in the sights as well. First stop is the butcher not far from the marina. With “Carrie” in tow we cross the berm levy wall that holds back the majority of overflow when The Miss gets high water. At the butcher a large selection of fresh cuts and frozen prepared meats are available. Next stop the renowned Duke’s Bakery. In these here parts the place to adjust your sweet tooth is at Duke’s. It is very popular among locals and tourists. Once inside the store, the smell of sweet hits you. We are here for the fresh breads but walk out with a couple fresh apple muffins.
The town is on hill after hill. You will get your workout in if you walk around away from the restaurants and bars close to the marina. Old style churches, city halls, post office and cobblestone roadways await you as you wander. There is so much history here that it would be nice to find a local and learn about this town. We did find Schewgel’s Grocery and it was closed. Hmmmm……. As we contemplate our next move to the other grocery store which is not within walking distance a truck pulls up. “You must be from the marina.” Before we could barely answer the truck door opens and he say’s you need to shop. I’ll open the door and be back in a half hour or so. Huh? Again the southern hospitality is at our doorstep. He says he lock the door behind us and introduces us to Sarah who is doing some cleaning in the back. Take as much time as you need and if you don’t see what you want, just ask. Sarah goes back to cleaning in the back and off the fellow runs. Scott and I just can’t believe anyone would trust us wayward travelers. We fill our basket with everything we will need leg of our journey. We felt like celebrities with absolutely no one in the store but us. Thank you Schwegel’s. With Carrie full to the brim with all our goods, including the wine and beer we head off back to the boat. Somehow we still managed to have to climb another hill to get down to the marina.
There are a couple other Looper boats here so we chat with them in the evening. We all agree that tomorrow is a bad day to head out to a narrow canal area and cross through one of the busiest locks on the rivers. With a tornado watch in effect, later upgraded to a warning, we all will travel in 2 days. As the winds pick up we head back the boat secure more lines and wait it out watching youtube.
This will be our first lock on The Mississippi. The lockmaster likes to coordinate the lock for those that are leaving so there are less single boats going through. Traveling with other boats will be a fun adventure down this section of The Loop.
Schewgel’s Grocery ~ awesome timing for groceries. Should be fun travelling with some other Loopers. I guess it is a good thing you’ve missed a large group of 13 if the spaces to stay overnight are crowded.
As I’m reading these, it’s 7:10 and still pitch black outside. Arrgh. Just thinking about your time changes.