Spent 3 days in Grafton, Monday 9/29 to Thursday, Oct. 2.  We did laundry, got some groceries and finally broke down and bought an I-Pad!  Loaded navigational aid Garmin Blue Chart and got a quick lesson from the Verizon rep. We're still learning, but so far has proved a great navigational aid in addition to our paper charts and Northstar 6000 GPS. 

Got over 5" of rain on Wednesday.  Met some fellow loopers and exchanged "stories".  Left Grafton on Thursday, Oct 2 and traveled 20 miles to Alton, Il.   Left Friday, Oct 3 arriving at Hoppies in Kimmswick, Mo mid afternoon.  Hoppies is a "must stop" for all loopers.  We topped off the gas tanks in preparation for the long journey of 241 miles to Green Turtle Bay at the top of Barkley Lake.

Fran (Hoppies owner) gave us a "mini seminar" on pitfalls and what to expect on the next 241 miles to Kentucky Lake/Barkley Lake as there are no marinas to dock at.  We will have to anchor out at least 2 nights which we haven't had to do yet.  Sunday, we leave Hoppies and plan to travel 110 miles and anchor at Little Diversion Channel, Mile Marker 48.8.