Alton, Illinois

Perfect travel day! We left at sunrise and were immediately locked through the one lock today.  We had the lock all to ourselves, locking down 10' and were able to float without needing to rope around a bollard or hold a line!  The remainder of the day was easy breezy, relaxing, sunny, mild temps,  minimal traffic, zero issues, surrounded by trees lining the river with wildlife all around!  We traveled. 90.3 NM today and are docked at Alton Marina, Alton, IL.

We reached the most western point of our Great Loop travels today and joined the Mighty Mississippi River!  The landscape changed at this point to beautiful stone cliffs with Bald Eagles, Golden Eagles, and Pelicans flying high above us!

Lock all to ourselves!

Lock dam.

Majestic Bald Eagle. Many gave us an air show again today!

Our view for the majority of the day.

Deer along the river bank.

One of many Golden Eagles today.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Golden_Eagle/id

Migrating American White Pelicans. Love these guys!

Approaching the most western point of our Loop.

One of two ferries today.

Thought we are a bit north for this flag?!

Ferry.

Grafton, IL.

Grafton winery...who knew?!

This camper claimed the island where the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers join.

Mississippi River joining the Illinois on our starboard side.

Hello Missouri and the Mississippi River!

Intersecting buoy.

Tour boat.

Garmin enjoyed the scenery today (for a few minutes, then took another nap).

 Alton, Illinois.