Wednesday October 8-Friday Oct 10, 2025
WEDNESDAY
Today was a smooth and leisurely run from Grafton to Alton. Once we got settled in, a few deliveries rolled in—though, of course, one package didn’t make it (😫, of course).
There’s a good-sized group of loopers here right now. Some are heading out tomorrow, others the next day, so coordination is key. Going through the locks on these rivers is a different ballgame—tows and barges get priority, which can throw off plans. It’s much easier (and honestly, more fun) when we move as a group.
Tonight, Jeff and I treated ourselves to dinner in town at Gentelin’s on Broadway—and wow, it was a standout! We started with beef and mushroom kabobs on top of a plate with a rich bleu cheese sauce—absolutely mouthwatering. For the main course, we shared tempura lobster served over creamy risotto, and it was every bit as decadent as it sounds.
But the real surprise? Dessert. We ordered something called Warm Gooey Butter Cake—topped with cashew Dutch crumb, caramel sauce, and vanilla bean ice cream. Neither of us had ever heard of it before, but we were so glad we gave it a try. Pure bliss in every bite.
THURSDAY
Today was chore day. Clean the boat, fix a few things, finally put our registration on the dinghy. Oh, and we named the dinghy! Thanks to Deanna from Spirit of Adventure for the idea!
Tonight, a group of us headed out to Fast Eddie’s, a legendary spot that’s been around since 1921. The place is massive, full of energy, and known for its live music every single night. The band tonight kept the vibe lively—great atmosphere, lots of fun.
The food hit the spot—classic, no-fuss fare like burgers, fries, chicken wings, and shrimp. Nothing fancy, just good eats with good company.
It was an early night for all of us, though. Most of the group is pulling out at sunrise tomorrow, so we wrapped things up and made our way back to the boats. Big day ahead—time to keep the loop rolling!
FRIDAY
We had an early start this morning—engines fired up and lines off by 6:45 AM. Six of us were traveling together to get through two locks: Sea U Later, Jelly Bean, Spirit of Adventure, Millennium Falcon, Serenity, and Trouvaille. A great little flotilla, all aiming to stay in sync through the day’s challenges.
The first lock was just half a mile away, but barge traffic had other plans. We ended up waiting until 8:00 AM to get through. From there, it was a 12-mile run to the second lock, where the waiting game resumed.
A special shoutout to a kind tow captain who tried to help us out—he even asked if we could lock through with him, but unfortunately, that’s against the rules. Not to be discouraged, he turned around and asked the lockmaster to get us in next—and they did! THANK YOU, Captain Good Karma! We finally cleared the second lock around 11:30 AM, ready to push on.
The rest of the ride took us right through downtown St. Louis, and of course, we had to grab some iconic shots in front of the Gateway Arch. Boats lined up, cameras clicking—it was one of those “pinch me” kind of moments.
Another leg of the Loop in the books—locks, teamwork, unexpected kindness, and a little postcard-worthy sightseeing to top it off.
We pulled into Hoppie’s Marina this afternoon, our stop for the night. Hoppie’s is more than just a marina—it’s a Mississippi River institution, dating all the way back to the 1930s. It’s stayed in the same family for generations, a rare kind of place where the history is as much a part of the dock as the ropes and cleats.
Because of its location and the ever-shifting flow of the river, Hoppie’s doesn’t have traditional docks. Instead, boats tie up to barges, which makes for a unique experience. At one time, they had quite a setup with multiple barges, but a few years ago, a series of wing dams installed by the Corps of Engineers changed the current’s flow. With no locks on this part of the Mississippi to regulate spring floods, several of their barges were swept away—and unfortunately, they haven’t been able to replace them.
Now, the marina is run by the daughter of the original owners. Both of her parents passed just last year, and the future of Hoppie’s remains uncertain. There’s a feeling of resilience and nostalgia in the air, knowing that this place has weathered so much change. Before we left, she gave us a briefing on the stretch ahead—from here to Turtle Bay. Water levels are incredibly low this year, and many usual anchorages are now unusable. The next leg to Paducah, KY will be long and possibly challenging.
In the afternoon, we stretched our legs and walked into the nearby town of Kimmswick with Greg and Deanna from Spirit of Adventure. It’s a charming little town with quaint shops and a welcoming vibe. Tonight, they were setting up for Food Truck Friday, but after so many meals out lately, we opted to have a quiet dinner aboard the boat.
A peaceful end to a day full of history, community, and that ever-present rhythm of river life.
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