GL: Down a lazy river

[Elaine Reib]

One key note on going down the Mississippi!
We went down in 1993 just as she was receding from that huge flood. The 
locks were operating but not changing heights. You come in and go out at the 
same level. Our usual speed was 6 kts but we could kick up to 8. We were 
making 11 to 13 in most places and it put the fear of God in you! We also 
saw something that we could only see now and then sticking up in the water 
ahead. When we got near we could see it was the tip of the top of a green 
buoy. One of those huge ones you see on the Chesapeake that stands about 12 
feet out of the water.  The current was so strong that it was pulling this 
marker down stream and it only popped up about every 15 min. for a few 
seconds. Good that Bob and I both had our binoculars and checking 
constantly!! This was dangerous! There were parts of houses, whole dog 
houses, 55 gal barrels, trees, mattresses, all floating down stream. Do not 
be pressed into going until you know the water is down to a reasonable speed 
and depth. Please be careful. They don't call her the Mighty Miss for 
nothing. OH, and when you want to stop at a place like Hoppies you must turn 
around well above the marina and work your way west while keeping up speed 
so you will pull in going up stream. Hair raising!! This is not a game and 
for those of you with slow boats like ours, stay away until this water is 
down to a reasonable speed of 3 or 4 kts.

Again, please be careful. Wait for at least 3 weeks after flood starts to 
recede.
Elaine
717-479-5012
ELReib at comcast.net
Co-founder, Skipper Bob Publications
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Robert Hoffman" <bobhof at sbcglobal.net>
To: "A H FOSTER" <capt.bill11 at verizon.net>
Cc: <great-loop at lists.samurai.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2008 10:11 PM
Subject: Re: GL: Down a lazy river


> The Miss is very full.  It is about 9' over flood stage with 6-7 mile
> current.  Will give you a good ride and save lots of fuel.
> However, it was only opened to pleasure craft in the last day or so.
> It is predicted to raise about 1-1/2 feet by this week end as a result
> of the heavy rain up north.  I think I would delay about 2-3 weeks
> untill it goes below flood.
> Rob Hoffman
> St. Louis
> On Jul 9, 2008, at 7:55 PM, A H FOSTER wrote:
>
>> It looks like I will be bringing a boat, 46' Maxum to be exact, down
>> from New Buffalo Mich. to Marco Island FL starting in the next week
>> or so. So I'm looking for any info on the state of the rivers,
>> locks, etc. and direction to any web sites that might be of help.
>>
>> 
>> Thanks
>> , Capt. Bill
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