Day 3 - We finally got underway today, although much later than I had wanted. There were still a couple of small unfinished projects that were better served to take care of before we left.
Indulgence and crew blasted out into the 5 knot current at 12:15 pm. It's like running on the local rivers during a flood. I felt sorry for those trying to run upriver against this current. It made it look like they were sitting still.
We got a great look at St Paul from the water. There's miles of waterfront developed and miles that are just mooring areas for the large barges that are pushed up and down this river every day.
Our first lock was Lock and Dam 2 just south of St. Paul. We announced ourselves as "lock-virgins" and the lock keeper was more than happy to pass on the "ins and outs" of locking through. We lucked out at Lock and Dam 3 when we were allowed to ride center of the lock without using lines and rubbing up and down on the lock walls. We've heard stories of boats waiting hours to pass through some of the locks due to commercial traffic which has the right of way, but we lucked out today. Each lock was ready for us within minutes.
At Red Wing we spotted a parking lot full of Harleys and a sign that read "Harbor-Bar" at Trenton Yacht Club. It was quite an interesting looking place.
We put in for the night around 6:15 pm at Henson's Marina at mile 776. We only made 70 miles today, but with the late start, we were ready to find a quiet spot. I feel like I hit the jackpot. Overnight docking, electric and water, only $40 for the night. And the diesel here is $2.80 gal. Bettie fixed up some wonderful burgers and fixin's and we dined on the boat tonight.
The plan is to up and out early in the morning. We've got some time to make up.