Mississippi Mud Pie! Now I know why it is call that. The river is brown. It takes both of us looking ahead watching for floating logs, or worse, branches or trees stuck in the river waiting to get your props. Kelley continues to call the approaching tows – rarely do they answer; it seems that we meet them in a narrow curve where there is turbulence! We have learned that if the tow is negotiating a turn, it is best to be prepared to take the inside curve.

Generally Loopers travel from Hoppies to Little Diversion Channel. That is a run of  almost 110 miles. We did have the current with us. Having left at 6:40 we were surprised to arrive at the Channel at 3ish. It was hot and the Channel is well protected, from everything (except bugs). So we looked at Skipper Bob and decided to stay cool for a bit longer we would go onto Browns Chute, 27 miles away. We thought we would get there by 4. We did.

We pulled in and Kelley got us to a perfect spot. The current was running and dropping and securing the anchor was easy – stay in gear and not let the current push you back too quickly. It was perfect – until we heard something making a nosie – and not consistently. I opened the hatch to the engine room and saw that the props were free spinning. The noise would drive us nuts. We had one more option from the book. Boston Bar, 14 miles away.

Up came the anchor with many branches attached, and we went on. We kept looking at the channel as we went wondering where we could pull in if we needed to for the night. There are spots where the barges don’t have anchors set, but they are not marked on the charts as safe. On we went. Finally, we neared the spot and there was another boat there. And what was the noise? Rifles! They were shooting into the hill! but, it was after 6, getting dark, and we went in. We anchored in front of them. They had the nice view of the cove and we saw the hills. No current to speak of, no wind, secure anchor; we were home for the night.

Mississippi River: Mile 158.5  (Hoppies Marina) to Mile 7.7 (Boston Bar)

Miles covered: 151       Bridges: 3          Locks: 0

Left at 6:40 am      Arrived at 6:30 pm