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colbysmith
Joined: 02 Oct 2011 Posts: 4561 City/Region: Madison
State or Province: WI
C-Dory Year: 2009
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Traveler
Photos: C-Traveler and Midnight-Flyer
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Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 3:56 pm Post subject: |
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Anyone have exact recommended directions coming down from the Madison Wisconsin area, that is once one is in Alton. (I can find Alton ok, unless somebody has some better suggestions due to road construction or traffic flow! Colby |
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texasair
Joined: 01 Feb 2009 Posts: 407 City/Region: Cypress, Texas
State or Province: TX
C-Dory Year: 1989
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Bixby's Cub
Photos: Bixbys Cub
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Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2014 4:28 pm Post subject: |
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Welcome Les and Kel.
Colby, The Marina is just upriver from the Mel Price Lock and Just 200 yards upstream from the Big Highway 67 bridge. |
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texasair
Joined: 01 Feb 2009 Posts: 407 City/Region: Cypress, Texas
State or Province: TX
C-Dory Year: 1989
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Bixby's Cub
Photos: Bixbys Cub
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 2:27 pm Post subject: |
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Les and Kel on Intuition.
Click on the Event signup bar at the top of the Brats homepage and add you name to the list. |
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LesR
Joined: 05 May 2010 Posts: 162 City/Region: St. Louis
State or Province: MO
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Intuition
Photos: Intuition
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 5:11 pm Post subject: |
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Driving directions to the Alton Marina and ramp:
If you're driving from Madison, I assume you'll be coming in on I-55. Exiting at Hamel and taking highway 140 west into Alton is probably the most direct route.
From US67 in Alton, turn south onto Henry Street, which is about 2 blocks west (upstream) of the large US67 bridge crossing the river. As you approach the levee on Henry, veer left to the boat ramp, which sits under the bridge itself, or right to the Marina. There's no trailer parking in the Marina parking lot, but there's room to park your trailer and vehicle at the ramp area.
When we've stayed at the Marina previously, we've left the trailer at the ramp and parked our truck in the marina parking lot (the ramp area and marina are connected by sidewalk). |
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colbysmith
Joined: 02 Oct 2011 Posts: 4561 City/Region: Madison
State or Province: WI
C-Dory Year: 2009
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Traveler
Photos: C-Traveler and Midnight-Flyer
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 5:34 pm Post subject: |
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THanks Les. I assume the parking at the ramp is safe? Would there be any reason to unhook the trailer and driving the vehicle over to the marina? I'm also assuming they are not to far apart. Colby |
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LesR
Joined: 05 May 2010 Posts: 162 City/Region: St. Louis
State or Province: MO
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 25 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Intuition
Photos: Intuition
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 7:27 pm Post subject: |
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Colby,
Yes, you should be able to leave your trailer connected. When I call to make my marina reservations, I'll ask if they have any suggestions given the number of people who will be here (assuming Tex has not already made other arrangements with the marina).
Les |
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k-p pelican
Joined: 03 Sep 2010 Posts: 48 City/Region: Putnam
State or Province: IL
C-Dory Year: 1997
C-Dory Model: 22 Classic
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 7:58 pm Post subject: Alton update |
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Hi Everyone,
Pat and I figured we needed a little time on the water and decided to hit the Illinois River for a few days. (who needs an excuse) After two days we ended up on the Mississippi River and decided to take a left hand turn and ended up in Alton. We visited the tourism office and were given a lot of information and maps of the Alton area that we thought might be useful to our fellow C-Brats. Naturally we stayed in the Alton marina, what a great place. Naturally we had to eat so we ended up at Fast Eddies (go figure) and while there, a huge rain storm came over and actually flooded the streets. When we returned to the marina, the Pelican sat in it's covered slip and was nice and dry. How nice is that? Naturally Pat had to see if the casino still accepts money (they do) so we walked over and donated to the cause. We verified a few things with the marina and headed home after two days. A quick 500 nautical miles and meeting with great people sure makes for a great trip.
Can't wait to see all the C-Brats in September.
Ken and Pat, (Pelican) |
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texasair
Joined: 01 Feb 2009 Posts: 407 City/Region: Cypress, Texas
State or Province: TX
C-Dory Year: 1989
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Bixby's Cub
Photos: Bixbys Cub
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Posted: Tue Jul 15, 2014 11:05 pm Post subject: |
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Sounds like a great trip Ken. The Alton Marina is like a County Club on the river.
Nicest rest rooms that we have ever seen at a marina. And a swimming pool and 2 hot tubs, bar-b-que pits and all slips are covered and in the shade.
See you and Pat there in September.
Tex and Sharon |
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Bill and Brenda Russell
Joined: 09 Jan 2005 Posts: 149 City/Region: Stamps AR
State or Province: AR
C-Dory Year: 2005
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Falcon
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Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 9:18 am Post subject: |
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Brenda and I have logged 13,940.9 water miles on our boat "Falcon" ( 22 C-Dory, 75 HP + 9.9 HP Hondas and locking through every lock and dam in Arkansas, Louisiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Florida, and some on the Era Canal . Now we are land locked and holding for a much anticipated Mississippi River C-Dory Gathering on Sept. 5th to Sept. 6th. There are opportunities to cruise from Alton, Il, up and down Mississippi River, Missouri River, Illinois River, and of course seeing the St Louis Arch from the river is a must see. _________________ Bill and Brenda Russell
Call us at 1-870-533-2663 H 1-870-904-0708 C |
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CeeRVee
Joined: 14 Apr 2007 Posts: 6 City/Region: Manitou Beach
State or Province: MI
C-Dory Year: 2007
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: C-Scooter
Photos: C-Scooter
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Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2014 7:22 pm Post subject: gathering |
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We will just be visiting this year. I suffered a broken back and we haven't even put the boat in the water yet. We have a room reserved in town and look forward to seeing everyone. Till then. Eric and Leslie Stormzand |
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texasair
Joined: 01 Feb 2009 Posts: 407 City/Region: Cypress, Texas
State or Province: TX
C-Dory Year: 1989
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Bixby's Cub
Photos: Bixbys Cub
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Posted: Mon Jul 21, 2014 12:20 am Post subject: |
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Just a few blocks from the marina is the National Great Rivers Museum, opened in October of 2003, it is operated by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. Located adjacent to the Melvin Price Locks and Dam, this 12,000-square-foot facility is the result of a collaboration of the Corps and the nonprofit Meeting of the Great Rivers Foundation and tells the story of the Mississippi River. The Museum features state of the art interactive displays and exhibits that help visitors understand the many aspects of the Mississippi River and how it affects our lives. The natural ecosystem of the Mississippi River and how humans interact with it is one of the major themes of the museum. A large model of the bluffs of the region is in the center of the museum and provides information on the various wildlife from prairie plants and trees to birds and other animals. An aquarium displays the various species of fish that inhabit the Mississippi River. The mechanics of the river and how soil is made, erosion and how working models of the river help scientists make decisions affecting the river are explained.
Another theme is how the Mississippi River has been home to many people throughout the ages, from the Mississippian culture that called nearby Cahokia Mounds home to the time when European settlers began arriving. Before the paved highways of today, rivers were the preferred mean of transportation and one display explains how the Mississippi has been used as a highway, not only by humans but by migrating waterfowl, and chronicles the different the types of vessels used from canoes, through keelboats and steamboats, to modern day barges. The Pilot House is a simulator based on software actually used to train river pilots at the Center for Maritime Education in Paducah, Kentucky, allows visitors to see what it's like to guide a 1,000-foot tow of barges under a bridge or through a lock. The construction of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam is explained and working models explain how the system of locks and dams make river traffic possible on the Upper Mississippi. Free tours, accessible by wheelchair, of the Melvin Price Locks and Dam are conducted daily at 10 am, 1 pm, and 3 pm. Also explained are what causes floods, with emphasis on the Great Flood of 1993, and how the Corps of Engineers fights these destructive acts of nature, and what future strategies are being developed to limit their impact. |
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Joni Lynn
Joined: 02 Nov 2003 Posts: 83 City/Region: Guttenberg
State or Province: IA
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Joni Lynn
Photos: Joni Lynn
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 5:46 pm Post subject: |
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Hi Brats !
Sadly, Joni and I will not be making it to the gathering this year. We've had a crazy, crazy year thus far and we still don't have the Joni Lynn in the water ! Schedules, activities and weather all seemed to be out of whack this year resulting in making our trip down river to Alton not doable . We're disappointed as we know we'll be missing out on a real party and a chance to visit again with our Brat friends. And looking at the signup list, I also see some new boats/faces we'll be missing. We just can't do it all !
Here's wishing you all a great gathering and hopefully we can join in again next year. We truly miss the group !
Paul & Joni aboard the Joni Lynn |
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texasair
Joined: 01 Feb 2009 Posts: 407 City/Region: Cypress, Texas
State or Province: TX
C-Dory Year: 1989
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Bixby's Cub
Photos: Bixbys Cub
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 6:22 pm Post subject: |
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You don't need the boat.
Just drive down for a day or 2 and visit with the old gang and meet some of the new gang. |
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bcassal
Joined: 20 Sep 2008 Posts: 193 City/Region: BLoomington
State or Province: IN
C-Dory Year: 2002
C-Dory Model: 22 Cruiser
Vessel Name: Carpy
Photos: Carpy
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Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2014 9:37 pm Post subject: |
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Paul & Joni,
Our truck crapped out on the the way out of town last year. Undeterred, we came by car (sans boat) and had a fine time seeing our c-buddies. It was not quite the same, but a fun time nonetheless. Unfortunately, we won't be there this year, My son has chosen 9/6 for his wedding. Hope you are well and we can see you sometime soon.
Bruce & Joyce
Carpy |
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RobMcClain
Joined: 21 May 2012 Posts: 355 City/Region: Summerlin, NV
State or Province: NV
C-Dory Year: 2006
C-Dory Model: 23 Venture
Vessel Name: Freedom
Photos: Freedom
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Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 4:21 pm Post subject: |
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Tex & Brats,
I just spoke to the friendly folks at Alton Marina and reserved a berth for our boat Freedom. Mary and I will be concluding our cruise adventures on the East Coast and it appears we'll be towing home to Nevada through the St. Louis area right around the time of this gathering. We would love to attend and meet some more Brats, and we've not yet experienced the magnificent Mississippi River (plus the marina has a pool and Mary loves pools). We're looking forward to this!
Rob |
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