Peoria, IL to Havana, IL

Illinois Valley Yacht (IVY) Club in Peoria to Tall Tmbers Marina in Havana. 

There is no doubt that we are in the industrialized heartland of America. Once leaving Chicago, and now headed down the Illinois River, we encounter more and more evidence of this as we head south.

From the many different industries along the river.....

...to the numerous power plants along the river.

Coming around a bend in the river we 

thought we may have gone through a time warp, because in front of us was a paddle wheel steam boat (or at least a replica of one). This type boat was the primary mover of people and cargo from the early 1800's through the Civil War and beyond. Just as the Pony Express was replaced by the telegraph, the heyday of the steamboat was replaced by the tow boat and multiple barges.

This particular paddle wheeler was the 

cruise boat  "Spirit of Peoria" returning for the day to Peoria, IL.

Still a pretty sight!!

Below, is one of the many fishermen we encountered along the river. The Illinois River, as are many of the inland rivers, is full of Asian Carp. These large fish have a  bad habit of jumping as high as three feet out of the water when "disturbed" by the sound of a boats motor. Rather than wait for the carp to just jump in his boat, this fisherman was trying to shoot them with his bow and arrow as they jumped out of the water. I never saw him hit anything...

Downtown Peoria, IL comes into view.

Above, is one of the many tow boats we encountered on the river. Because the Illinois River is relatively small compared to the Mississippi River, the tows are kept to 15 barges (5 barges long and 3 barges abreast). Once on the Mississippi, the size of the tows will increase to as many as 45 barges tied together in one tow.

The tow boats "own" the River. Because they are large and extremely difficult to maneuver, pleasure craft such as ITHAKA are required to always give them the right of way and call them and ask them how they want to be passed. In this picture, we are "passing on the two", which means our starboard side is abeam the tows port side. If we had been told to "pass on the one", it would have been just the opposite.