We left Heritage Harbor after a fun week in Chicago with the Macias family. We had an easy 46 mile day, went through Starved Rock Lock and started to see a lot more barges on this part of the Illinois River.
Leaving Heritage Harbor, Ottowa 
Starved Rock Lock 
Standing guard in the lock 
Lots of Barges on the Illinois river !!
After arriving at our destination in Henry, Illinois, we tied up to an abandoned old lock with power for the night and proceeded into town. Henry was a very small town with just a few restaurants, fast food places, and several small bars. We ate dinner out and then went bar hopping — one of Larry’s favorite pastimes.
After one night at Henry, we went on to Peoria, IL and stayed at the Ivy Illinois Valley Yacht Club. This was a very nice stay! We got to borrow a car to go to church, and Greek dinner. Back at the boat, the Yacht Club was holding the Commodores Ball — there were many tux’s and long formal dresses with dinner and dancing until late at night. We talked with one of the neighbor boats who was just starting the “Loop” helping answer several questions they had about navigation apps, etc. Also got to talk to some of the Commodores Ball attendees — they were very interested in Loopers.
We left early the next morning and went our longest distance since starting the loop — 107 miles. At the end of the day we rafted up with our buddy boat for the day – Scott and Angela from New York on their boat “Nothing to Plunder”. We anchored just outside the channel at Valley City anchorage on the Illinois River. After getting set, we saw a tug go by, enjoyed some dock tails together and then hit the sack to be ready for the next morning start at 7 am.
Rafted with “Nothing to Plunder” 
Tug Moving at dusk as we were anchored out
The anchorage was very peaceful, the boats didn’t move much all night and there were no tugs overnight. The next morning we saw several eagles as we continued down the Illinois River and the terrain began to look more mountainous in some places.
Larry & Mary’s Great Loop Blog 