Port Charles Marina, MO to Alton, IL

We also pass Piasa Park.

We navigate through the dangerous area, managing to keep our flesh and bones intact, and pass under the Clark Bridge which connects Illinois to Missouri via route 67.

At the base of the bridge, lies the entrance to Alton Marina, the “finest 5 star marina on the Mississippi!”.

Alton, while considered a suburb of St. Louis, has its own unique character and historical notoriety. During the Civil War, Alton was the site of a huge penitentiary, holding up to 12,000 Confederate prisoners. Surprisingly, the majority of deaths from the Civil War were caused not from fighting, but from disease. For every 1 man dying on the battlefield, 2 men lay dying on their deathbed. It was during this time a smallpox epidemic raged through the crowded Alton prison. The sick inmates were sent to a quarantine hospital on an island in the Mississippi River across from the prison. Many of the sick were just vulnerable farm boys never before exposed to the various rampant nefarious diseases existing within a larger population such as the prison. Today, the island is a submerged mass graveyard for many of these fallen confederate soldiers.

Alton also was the birthplace and home to the Alton Giant. Robert Wadlow was the tallest man in history. Standing at 8′ 11.1″, and weighing 439 lbs, he towered over his 5′ 11″ father. While born at an average length, by 6 months old he was 3 ft. and by year 4, over 5 ft. tall. He continued to grow until his early death at age 22 . As his height required braces to walk, he unfortunately developed a sore where they rubbed against his skin. The wound became infected, infiltrating his blood and, in the end, caused the death of the gentle giant.

While we spent several days in Alton, our activities and explorations were dictated by the weather. It was either too hot or too rainy! In both scenarios, we appreciated having a roof over Prime 11 which sheltered her from the worst of Mother Nature.

For the heat to break, the storms break out.

We have one day that is not too hot or soaking wet and explore some of Alton.

We also discover a large cruise ship docked along the riverfront.

We also were told by fellow looper boaters, that Fast Eddies Chicken is a must when in Alton. So…of course we walk to Fast Eddie’s for lunch.

We did experience a very nice meal at State Street Market and deposited some money at Argosy Casino. Both, I stress, are within easy walking distance of the marina! Big or small, every town in Illinois has slot machines. They can be found in grocery stores, bars, restaurants, gas stations, and I actually wouldn’t be surprised to find them in a church.😂 They are everywhere! Many towns, in addition, have the actual large casinos like Argosy. Thankfully, we rarely patronize them as we have other things to throw our money at… like a hole in the water!

Our next part of the journey will take us down the Mississippi. As the marinas are now few and far between, we likely will need to anchor somewhere on the Mississippi for the night. As the river is over flood stage already, these recent downpours most likely will aggravate the already swollen river. No doubt the current will be swift and the floating debris abundant.

Goodnight from Alton. Next destination: TBD