Davenport to Clinton, Iowa

Laurie & John Liljequist drove to the new Bridge to wave us off — SWEET.

New bridge being built in Davenport.

One of the paddle boat excursions for river tours on the Mississippi River.  The paddle is mostly for show, we believe.

What we learned on the Loop was to travel on the water when the waves were 1-2 feet and winds 10-15 mph.  I have been challenged to apply this guide to the river.  The winds were calm as we started out but grew through the day to at least one foot and on our stern so we were surfing. Our 1st lock of the day was #14 Le Claire (the town of the TV SHOW American Pickers, if you are interested).  This locking for us was one of the WORST EVER!!  IT WAS THE WIND!!  OUR PORT SIDE WAS BEING PUSHED AWAY FROM THE LOCK WALL!!  ESPECIALLY THE STERN (NO STERN THRUSTER).  The lines the lock master had tossed to us were impossible to hold and pull ourselves to the wall.  LOTS OF VOLUME OF FEAR AND CONCERN — THIS WAS NOT WORKING!  FINALLY the lockmaster suggested we move to the starboard wall, where the wall gave us shelter from the blow.  PHEW.  

Traveling to Clinton went well with the wind on our stern.  

New house on pilings, taking advantage of river views.

The triangle shape and trail behind it, is the Gammel Dansk.  The screen is also showing the collision avoidance of what we were passing at that moment (see next photo).  We have our AIS alarm set for one mile to give us time to get out of the way of oncoming traffic.  Deep water — 15ft.  The colors are set on NIGHT with 100% brightness.

Oncoming barge.

We arrived at the Clinton Marina — which in 2018 was in FLOOD conditions but in 2021 DROUGHT and SHALLOW water.  We arrived at the fuel dock with a bit of a hard landing with the current and wind combo.  (Fuel in Davenport was noted $4.75 for non yacht members.  Here in Clinton it was $3.59 a gallon.  We filled.)

In 2018 the water was up to the door at the lighthouse!

Finding a slip also was a challenge — we were not assigned any specific one and again the wind and current were not our friend.  In the slip, Dan took Tori ashore.  I set about hooking up our electric and doing my settling-in tasks.  We were in an outer, "deeper water" slip but found the closest electric outlet post to have only 50 amp. power... Our boat uses 30 amp.  I tried our power adapter without success.  I called up to the marina office for help to move our boat to reach a working outlet.  Two young men and a neighbor boat owner offered to help, so 4 of us held lines and — against the wind and current — moved our small boat to the other side of the slip.  Another PHEW.  Electric connected, settled in, showers and laundry next.  Time to unwind a bit.  We both wanted another hotel for the night — “full" was the reply.  There was Cordova raceway having a race and multiple reunions we were told.  No room at the inn.   

Clinton Marina at sunset.  Moonlight restaurant on upper floor.

The evening was relaxing and pleasant as we met up with Ralph and Ann, Gold Loopers we met in 2018 in Sabula, Iowa, when Ralph asked, “Can I help catch your lines?” as we entered our slip at the marina.  We became fast friends from that moment forward, as stories were shared. 

They were delivering our replacement Gold Burgee to us!!  Greg & Doreen Youngberg — parents of Greg — were also joining us for dinner.  Lots of pleasant conversation and delicious food made for a sweet ending of the stressor of the day.  When we returned to the boat, Dan put up our Gold Burgee right away!!