{"id":2563,"date":"2021-10-26T22:28:49","date_gmt":"2021-10-27T02:28:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/?p=2563"},"modified":"2021-10-26T22:28:53","modified_gmt":"2021-10-27T02:28:53","slug":"toto-ive-a-feeling-we-are-not-in-michigan-anymore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/?p=2563","title":{"rendered":"Toto, I&#8217;ve a Feeling We Are Not in Michigan Anymore&#8230;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"has-drop-cap wp-block-paragraph\">If I neglected to mention it earlier, the Michigan state marinas spoiled us (me) rotten; easy in and out, clean facilities, free laundry in some cases (!), relatively inexpensive and staffed by friendly, knowledgable people.  Of course, DuSable in Chicago was most of these things (not the inexpensive part), as well, but the rest of our accommodations in Illinois have been, ummm, different.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two of the anchorages have been spectacular and each of the little towns we visited had something we liked so I will stop with the commentary and comparison but you decide&#8230;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Joliet, IL<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"551\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5090-1024x551.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2564\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5090-1024x551.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5090-300x161.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5090-768x413.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5090.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>The wall in Joliet is free but it was in a section of town where there was not much else.  On the other side of the river was a large casino but the nearest bridge was impassable due to construction.  Not that we would have gone to the casino&#8230;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5104-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2567\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5104-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5104-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5104.jpeg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><figcaption>&#8230; because we were busy trying to figure out why we seemed to have lost engine cooling.  We found this in the engine cooling water strainer.  Yikes!\ud83d\ude33<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Channahon, IL<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5099-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2565\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5099-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5099-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5099-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5099.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Our first overnight on a fuel dock; our draft didn&#8217;t allow us to go any further into the marina.  This place had a great restaurant, though!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ottawa, IL<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5100-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2566\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5100-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5100-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5100-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5100.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Like Joliet, we stayed on another free wall in Ottawa.  This time, though, downtown was immediately accessible.  Ottawa was the site of the first Lincoln-Douglas debate and the first town we encountered on the Illinois River Road, a scenic highway running along the river, down to Havana.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Depue, IL<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5150-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2568\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5150-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5150-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5150-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5150.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Our first river anchorage; we tucked in just in front of the little island, out of the channel, but still on the river.  This was the first place we needed to use a stern anchor to keep from swinging around the anchor on our bow.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"534\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/DSC_3628-1024x534.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2569\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/DSC_3628-1024x534.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/DSC_3628-300x157.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/DSC_3628-768x401.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/DSC_3628.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>We did not visit the town but had delightful company the next morning.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Henry, IL<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7578-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2570\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7578-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7578-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7578-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7578.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Our second fuel dock &#8220;slip&#8221;.  Oh, and the orange box with the K is the pump-out station&#8230; \ud83d\ude35\u200d\ud83d\udcab This marina is in the development phase; a young couple bought the property and are working hard to develop it with little capital. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Peoria, IL<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7657-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2571\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7657-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7657-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7657-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7657.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>We docked underneath the dam, next to the lock.  Not my favorite&#8230;  the tows run through the lock ALL night&#8230;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Havana, IL<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"574\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7664-1024x574.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2572\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7664-1024x574.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7664-300x168.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7664-768x431.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7664.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>A GREAT anchorage&#8230;  off the river, way behind the island with a dingy dock less than half a mile away.  Havana is the end of the Illinois River Road and a lively little  town.  Plus, we had the best dinner on the Illinois River at Babe&#8217;s on Plum!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-3 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5305-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"2573\" class=\"wp-image-2573\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5305-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5305-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5305-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5305.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5307-1-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"2575\" data-link=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/?attachment_id=2575\" class=\"wp-image-2575\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5307-1-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5307-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5307-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5307-1.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5308-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"2576\" data-link=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/?attachment_id=2576\" class=\"wp-image-2576\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5308-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5308-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5308-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5308.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5322-1-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"2579\" data-link=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/?attachment_id=2579\" class=\"wp-image-2579\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5322-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5322-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5322-1.jpeg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5326-1-768x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"2580\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5326-1.jpeg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/?attachment_id=2580\" class=\"wp-image-2580\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5326-1-768x1024.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5326-1-225x300.jpeg 225w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_5326-1.jpeg 960w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">&#8216;Grandma&#8217;s Got a Notion&#8217; quilting supply store had a surprisingly large on-hand inventory for the size of the town and the historic water tower inspired a creative solution to the problem of a left-over tree stump!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Diamond Island, IL<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7771-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2581\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7771-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7771-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7771-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7771.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>We anchored in the dam pool of the LaGrange lock but I don&#8217;t have a photo for that overnight.  Our water tank sloshed all night long from the current coming over the dam so we did not like that anchorage AT ALL.  This is Diamond Island and it was a well-deserved reward for the night before.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7777-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2582\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7777-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7777-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7777-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7777.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>This guy had breakfast with us at Diamond Island!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Hardin, IL<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery columns-2 is-cropped wp-block-gallery-2 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\"><ul class=\"blocks-gallery-grid\"><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7795-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"2584\" class=\"wp-image-2584\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7795-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7795-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7795-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7795.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><li class=\"blocks-gallery-item\"><figure><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7799-1-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" data-id=\"2590\" data-full-url=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7799-1.jpeg\" data-link=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/?attachment_id=2590\" class=\"wp-image-2590\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7799-1-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7799-1-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7799-1-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7799-1.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><\/li><\/ul><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">Not even sure what to call this&#8230;  no pump-out or fuel dock, just a spot deep enough and securely tied to the bank of the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7786-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2583\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7786-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7786-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7786-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7786.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>The best part of Hardin was the bicycle ride we took to get our first glimpse of the Mississippi.  Hardin is pretty much the last town before the junction of the Illinois and the Mississippi.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h5 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grafton, IL<\/h5>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-style-default\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7831-1024x768.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2587\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7831-1024x768.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7831-300x225.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7831-768x576.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/IMG_7831.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Another fuel pump\/pump-out slip in Grafton.  We tried to get into the slip they assigned, A1, but got stuck.  Seems they did not know their depths although we called that morning to confirm 6&#8217;+.  \ud83d\ude44<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/DSC_3673-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2586\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/DSC_3673-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/DSC_3673-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/DSC_3673-768x511.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/DSC_3673.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Grafton did have this cool chairlift\/gondola ride you could take to a nice restaurant at the top of the hill, though. The ride was closed so we walked; the views were spectacular and the pizza was delicious.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/DSC_3684-1024x682.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2588\" srcset=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/DSC_3684-1024x682.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/DSC_3684-300x200.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/DSC_3684-768x511.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/svaurora.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/10\/DSC_3684.jpeg 1280w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>And, finally, we have arrived at the Mississippi River.  And, finally, we have the beginning of what we know as autumn!  This is mile 0 of the Illinois and mile 218 of the Upper Mississippi.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If I neglected to mention it earlier, the Michigan state marinas spoiled us (me) rotten; easy in and out, clean facilities, free laundry in some cases (!), relatively inexpensive and staffed by friendly, knowledgable people. Of course, DuSable in Chicago was most of these things (not the inexpensive part), as well, but the rest of&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/?p=2563\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Toto, I&#8217;ve a Feeling We Are Not in Michigan Anymore&#8230;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2563","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-the-inland-rivers","entry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2563","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2563"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2563\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2596,"href":"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2563\/revisions\/2596"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2563"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2563"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/svaurora.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2563"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}