Unlocked

U 167 Hell of a day it was. Got through the last 2 locks with not much problem. The approach to the last lock is a 10 mile, rip rap lined, ditch that was built to get boats around a low dam called 'the chain of rocks '. There was 0 current in the ditch. They call it a Canal but they haven't paddled it I'm sure. Anyway, I'm pretty elated to be out of the last lock when a john boat with 2 uniformed guys pulls up beside me and asks me to stop. They were ILL dnr and they were checking my registration. My registration? I had to register our kayaks in Minnesota so I had a sticker on the bow. That seemed to make them happy and they left. Next I linked up with Justin Platovsky. He brought me lunch. Justin, I thank you again. It was fantastic. And he brought me a big assed pickle. I was in heaven let me tell you. Now, the river. It has been unleashed. The Missouri river joined the party just above chain of rocks. It's flowing nicely. There are weird eddys and unexplainable wave trains, whirlpools and upwellings. It's the real deal. The barge traffic in and below the city added to the chaos. I'm in the river baby. I'll be in the lower section in a few days.