It is only 18 miles to Alton, IL from Port Charles Marina. We started later than usual, 3PM, but still arrived to Alton before docktails! Short journey!
We pass the beautiful limestone cliffs just north of Alton.
We also pass Piasa Park.
Painted upon a limestone cave in Piasa Park is a replica of the Piasa bird mural. The original Native American mural, created hundreds of years ago on a nearby limestone cliff, was blasted apart in the 1950’s while mining rock. The Piasa bird is an Indian mythological creature believed to reside within caves, which according to legend, are the entrances to the underworld. Getting a taste for human flesh after eating battlefield corpses, the huge Piasa bird began snatching live victims with its talons, carrying them back to its cliffside cave, and tearing them apart for dinner. Eventually 20 brave Indian warriors tricked the Piasa out of hiding, shot it with poisoned arrows and sent it screaming into the Mississippi River never to be seen again. But like all legends and monsters, the Piasa doesn’t die easily. In the 19th century, explorers did find a nearby cave filled with human bones and, even today, sightings persist of a giant bird residing in the area.
Close up of the Piasa Bird mural.
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.
This bridge, with spans resembling sails of a ship, is also called the “Super Bridge”. Its “super” construction was even the subject of a documentary on NOVA. Why is it “Super”? The bridge is super for several reasons. First, its construction used difficult and complicated techniques never before employed in the US. Second, as the bridge was completed in 1994, its build was also extremely challenging as the timing of construction was during the great flood of 1993.
At the base of the bridge, lies the entrance to Alton Marina, the “finest 5 star marina on the Mississippi!”.
An undercover slip! We will learn to appreciate that amenity quickly!
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.
The feel like temps were way over 100 degrees.
Definitely a pool day.
For the heat to break, the storms break out.
The roof provides little protection from the blowing torrential rains.
We both, in unison, receive an emergency alert on our phones warning of impending flash flooding. We are on a boat, so we are ok! Sadly, however, an older couple, family of the local grocery store owners, were not so safe. They became trapped in one of these dangerous flash floods. Their car was quickly engulfed with the rising waters submerging the road. While the woman drowned within the vehicle, her husband managed to escape searching for help. Unfortunately, the currents were too strong, and in his attempt for help and rescue, he also drowned. They were both 88 years old. Despite not knowing them or their family, it was a very somber grocery run as the funerals were being planned as we shopped. A family employee usually drives marina shoppers back to their boats since the mile+ walking distance is cumbersome toting groceries. Today, however, a very friendly and helpful fellow customer took over the duty for the family and drove us, and our groceries, back to the marina. Small town America – nothing better!
We have one day that is not too hot or soaking wet and explore some of Alton.
They have a nice riverfront park with an amphitheater, splash pad, playground and a walking bridge over the busy road and railroad tracks into downtown proper.
We also discover a large cruise ship docked along the riverfront.
This is the American Cruise Line’s brand new American Serenade. Christened in 2023, she accommodates 180 passengers. She is getting ready for her 9 days/8 night Upper Mississippi Cruise which is sold out. For a fare of $5,635, you are promised spacious rooms (all with private baths), private balconies and roomy closets.
The itinerary
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.
This is for anyone else, who, in the future, may find themselves at Alton Marina without a car. Just an FYI: Fast Eddies is not so “fast” to get to. It is approximately 1 1/2 miles away up a steep hill. There are no gentle rolling hills on this route! We arrived a little sweaty, but looked forward to eating the best chicken ever! As we literally put our hearts on the line to taste Fast Eddies, our heartbreak was devastating as we realize the chicken sandwich is actually Wendy who identifies as Eddie. Unlike Wendy’s though, Fast Eddie’s is strictly carryout. You order and are to leave the premises “fast” apparently. No picnic table or bench could be found. Luckily, a nearby park, over the hill, had two picnic tables. The area surrounding Fast Eddie’s and the park are not what I would normally choose for a picnic site, but, by now, we are happy to have our chicken, a seat and more importantly, a drink, so we can replenish our sweat glands! We did, however, experience a first at the park. We were invited to play basketball!🏀
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!
Argosy Casino – right next to Ardent Mills. One takes your bread and one makes your bread!State Street Market – a great farm to table restaurant.
The busier part of downtown Alton with some shops and restaurants.
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.
At least a few of the logs are docked.
Goodnight from Alton. Next destination: TBD
5 thoughts on “Port Charles Marina, MO to Alton, IL”
Just started follow you love the detail of your post. Planning stages for Great Loop hope to leave summer 2025 GB 42 Classic. May I asked what platform your using to blog you trip?
Thank you! The platform for the current blog is wordpress. Our previous blog detailing our trip from Cincinnati to Florida, was blogspot. That site for information on those travels is at Cincinnaticrazy8.blogspot.com.
“One takes ur bread while one makes ur bread!
Nice Jackie!
Have fun and be safe
you two. The legend about the Limestone Cave & ✍️ Drawing
Is remarkable!
Hi Jackie, we met briefly as we docked beside you in Green Turtle Bay. I love your blog, even though I’ve just skimmed through a few excerpts. I’m sad we didn’t have some time to chat. I will just have to learn from your previous blogs.
Great writing!! I have to ask… what’s next?? Be safe, have fun!
From Shenanigans, Cincinnati
So nice to meet a fellow Lighthouse Yacht Club boater! Small world. I have no idea what’s next, except a lot of time in South Carolina. We fell in love with Dataw Island while on the loop so we are returning there for more than a visit! Safe travels back to Cincy!
Just started follow you love the detail of your post. Planning stages for Great Loop hope to leave summer 2025 GB 42 Classic. May I asked what platform your using to blog you trip?
Thank you! The platform for the current blog is wordpress. Our previous blog detailing our trip from Cincinnati to Florida, was blogspot. That site for information on those travels is at Cincinnaticrazy8.blogspot.com.
“One takes ur bread while one makes ur bread!
Nice Jackie!
Have fun and be safe
you two. The legend about the Limestone Cave & ✍️ Drawing
Is remarkable!
Hi Jackie, we met briefly as we docked beside you in Green Turtle Bay. I love your blog, even though I’ve just skimmed through a few excerpts. I’m sad we didn’t have some time to chat. I will just have to learn from your previous blogs.
Great writing!! I have to ask… what’s next?? Be safe, have fun!
From Shenanigans, Cincinnati
So nice to meet a fellow Lighthouse Yacht Club boater! Small world. I have no idea what’s next, except a lot of time in South Carolina. We fell in love with Dataw Island while on the loop so we are returning there for more than a visit! Safe travels back to Cincy!