Mon Oct 23: Logsdon to Mel’s Illinois Riverfront Restaurant floating metal crap dock

It was ANOTHER long day, so we got off the dock pretty early - along with everyone else.  Only one boat was going to Mel's dock with us, and we like them. They are Regular Eggs-that’s their boat name, and also what they are like as people… If that makes sense.

This is what your hair looks like after several days on the river, and no shower.  Note to self:  take shower...

Not matter where we turned today, the wind and the sun were in our face. It was a little confusing, from a directional point of view. First thing in the morning the sun was directly in front of us.  And at dusk the sun was right in front of us…..huh? We finally rigged up a towel to protect us from direct sun.  Very classy... 

Wind against current = bad.  As we have learned before... So it was a bumpy day, but not a bad one.

Great fall color appearing.

Mel's Riverfront is a 'classic' stop on the loop - and I gotta ask....WHY?????  It's an absolutely SHIT dock.  And the bow thruster failed right when we pulled up.  If it hadn’t been for Rick’s quick directions we would have gouged a hole in the hull.  We needed about 1 million floats to keep us safe, and we practically got tetanus from the ramp over to land...

As we precariously perched there, another Looper boat flew by, waking the heck out of us.  Normally we just let that stuff go, but this time I flew to the radio and gave him an earful... His response 'we have a medical emergency, I'm so sorry'.  Well, I felt pretty small after that...  Godspeed, my friend....

We went up to dinner at Mel's, with our friends on Regular Eggs and a new boat.  They are an anomaly as they are headed UP RIVER!   They bought a boat in MS and are bringing it back to Chicago. 

Mel's was amazingly AVERAGE (if that), as Claire would say, and full of local customers-some of whom were missing teeth.  Hope that’s not related to the food…most of which was fried. Rick had catfish and I had a burger.  It was the only thing I could find to order.  But the dock fee is only $20 if you buy dinner.... so we saved money by spending money. If you know what I mean. Rick thinks they should pay US to tie-up and eat there.

Rick 'hit the wall' well before dinner was served, but, like in all places now, there was only one server and one cook - so we stayed as long as we had to, and not a moment longer.  We got dessert to go, and fell into bed.

Feral IL kittens were the best part of the place!