"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you
didn't do, than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away
from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.


Explore. Dream. Discover."

-Mark Twain

Monday, October 5, 2009

Alton, Illinois

Leaving Alton marina on Monday morning and heading for Hoppies Marina in Kimmswick, MO.  It's about 44 miles south of here.  We took the boat for a 2 hour ride today, and dare I say, it ran as it should.  So we will proceed south, and none too soon, the temps have been about 40 at night and maybe 61 during the day.  Pretty much what Ohio has had. There is this really cool bridge that connects Illinois and Missouri, across the Mississippi river.  It's the Clark bridge, all lit up at night, and right above the entrance to the Alton marina that we are at.  I am trying to get a night picture and having no luck with my camera. I have one more chance tonight, I think I will take it at dusk.

Alton is a pretty old town, and rich in history, dating back to the 1800's.  The first state penitentiary was built in Alton in 1833, which held thousands of confederate soldiers during the civil war.  There are still structural remains left today. The "Alton Route" was a major stop along the Underground Railroad.  The town also holds the title of the "World's tallest Man", there is a life size statue of Robert Wadlow, measuring 8 foot 11.1 inches. And I thought the Fitzgerald"s were tall!

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