GLORY DAYS ON THE GREAT LOOP: FINALLY, A REALLY NICE MARINA

DAY 102 WED., DAY 103 THURS. HARDIN TO ALTON LAYOVER ALTON
AM SUNNY & COOL, pm SUNNY & COOL, THURS, COOL W SHOWERS
DEP. HARDIN 07:40 ARR. ALTON 11:30
D. 35.1 sm /2063.0

We are making good time as we picked up a fast current on the Old Missippi River. We arrived at the gas dock at 11:30 to fill up. Diesel was a bargain at $3.96 per gallon for Boat US members. Alton Marina was also a bargain at $1.00 ft. for Boat US members. The marina was spectacular, with covered slips, hot tub, pool and gorgeous showers that made us Loopers drool. We caught up with Sharon and Ken our good friends from Dockers Inn. It was great seeing them again and catching up with each other’s adventures. Met the Harbor host Patty Mitchell who very generously offered to take all of the women to a real super market. Teresa, Linda and I (Pat) piled into her red mustang convertible for a brief tour and some serious grocery shopping. That evening Patty and her husband Robert took all of the Loopers to Tony’s a nice restaurant in Alton. Patty and Robert are wonderful harbor hosts who made our stay warm and memorable. We planned on staying 2 days in Alton as we really needed the rest. It was great to be able to sleep in the next day. For lunch we went to Fast Eddies for $.99 hamburgers (1/2lb.) with Teresa and Donald from Great Escape. What a great find. Lunch for 2 with fries and shrimp appetizer only $6.59 (both, NOT each!) and it was good. What a good time we had.