We woke up to another sunny, but very windy, new day. After breakfast, Steve and Sheli went to find the dockmaster so that they could pay the dockage fee. He was not to be found. After a few attempts to call him on the radio, we left the marina and boated to the mouth of the Calumet River. The winds, around 30 miles per hour, were on our beam and it resulted in a lot of rock and rolling. Once on the river, it became very calm. A number of bridges were already open and some had clearance of more then 19.6 ft. We did have to call a few bridges with a request to open. This never resulted in long waits. After cruising through heavy industrial areas, we came to the first lock - the Thomas J. O'Brien Lock and Dam. Since the drop is less then a foot, we did not need to tie up.
We continued along the Cal-Sag Canal, through some very nice areas, to the junction with the Illinois River. The first 10 miles were through a narrow channel with lots of barges. We met two tow boats, both of which stopped so we could pass. Before reaching the Lemont Bridge, which cannot open and has a clearance of 19 ft., Steve climbed up on our mast to take down the anchor light and tv atenna. We cleared the bridge with inches to spare. 
Soon afterwards we cleared the Lockport Lock and Dam, a 39 ft drop which is also the largest drop in Illinois. From there it was a short trip to Joliet. We arrived around 4:30 p.m. and had to wait until 5:15 p.m. before the bridges could be opened. The city of Joliet provides free dockage space, but no water or electricity. Since we are self contained, this is not a problem. There were two other loopers tied up - Sweet Pea from Westport, MA with Jim and Dale McGovern onboard and Something Special from Ontario with Sid and Evelyn Tilstra onboard. The Tilstras and I have much in common, both of Dutch stock and both members of the Christian Reformed Church. Dinner that evening was in an Irish Pub - a good steak dinner with an Irish beer for just $13 per person.
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