Sept 16th Dawn and Matthew left us at the Great Lakes Naval Station, and we headed for Chicago. We chose to go thru the city route rather than the canal around Chicago. Really enjoyed going thru Chicago, I was surprised at the number of restaurants along the way and again flowers everywhere. We did end up waiting about 45 min on a Amtrack Bridge to open. Kept looking for Oprah to greet us but no luck. We then tied up for the night on an abandoned dock listed in our travel book. Other than a pack of coyotes howling it was a nice quiet spot. On our way to Joliet, we went over an electric fish barrier, to keep the Carp out of Lake Michigan. En route we went thru 3 locks. Upon arrival in Joliet someone from the dock yelled "Hi Merry K " and were greated by some of our "Looper" friends. On our way again, we saw a pontoon boat with about 6 guys fishing with compound bows...Carp were jumping everywhere. The next day a carp jumped into our friends dinghy, and the boat behind us reported they had 2 jump in their dinghy, our dinghy is too high for them to reach. A few days later we tied up at a Tug Service Barge for the night, the tug captain gave us a tour of his helm, pretty plush, really nice guy. Next we met the Mighty Mississippi, and went in to Port St Charles, here we had the boat hauled and and checked the props and had some work done. Rich stayed with the boat and I went with some friends to Grant's Farm, the Looper Asso. Harbor Host and his wife took us and looked after all of us Loopers while we were there. Grant's Farm is owned by the Anheuser Busch family. Was very interesting, this is the home of their Clydsdale Horses, which were just beautiful. Also had great pastures witih many exotic animals from around the world. Had a good German lunch and there was free beer for those who wanted it. We left Port St Charles for Alton, and decided that the props still had a vibration. So we turned around and went back to have the props checked again, they worked on it and the next am we went again to Alton. We just got out in the Mississippi and the starboard engine over heated, so we went back again to Pt St Charles, the impeller was shot. They had to order one, would be there in the morning. Got that fixed and again we headed for Alton. There we checked out the Casino, went to dinner at Mac's Time Out, after a long wait for our food, it was super cold !! They gave us our meals free plus a $25.00 gift Certificate. Left Alton and went thru our first lock on the Mississippi River. We passed where the Missouri and Miss. meet. and went on to Hoppies at Kimmswick, MO. The Marina is several barges tied together, and they have fuel, and it is a long way before there is fuel available again. We then went to anchor near Olmstead Lock, anchored and a tug informed us we were in their work area, well we did not move and should have anchored on the Ky side, but we were gone before they started working in the am. On to Green Turtle Bay, KY, still with bad vibrations, so as I type the props are off to be aligned electronically this time, hope that is the problem.. Hope to have the props back by Friday, they put us back in the water so we will have a/c while we wait. We had 3 long days of traveling with barges, locks etc..Only lock 53 was a bear, the worse one yet. They tied your bow line up for you to hold, and Rich had to keep the boat lined up with the engines, in the swirling water from the lock. So now we have a few days to get reorganixed, see the area and enjoy friends. Praying the props will be good again. Still is an amazing trip, loving it. Spent 2 hours last night trying to add photos, again no success....will try again later.