Record rainfall from the Hurricane Gustaf and lots of debris in the rising Mississippi

It was quite a ride today as we left Grafton. Light mist but no fog. Yesterday was record rainfall in St Louis at 3 inches. The water rose about a foot at the marina overnight.

Three loopers left Grafton at 7 am for Hoppies. A lot of turbulance at the locations talked about by Skip Bob. As we passed the Missouri there was a lot of yellow foam and wood debris in St Louis. Some large trees seen. Three boats in a line watching for wood. We’ve picked up a third boat, Eagles Nest, a DeFever 49 with a Mississippi couple also finishing the loop and headed to Picwick Lake.

We arrived at Hoppies successfully and had the fourth GB from the Netherlands arrive later.
Hoppies says that the river is up 6 feet today and will rise another 10 in the next 3 days.

I have never seen so much debris but I'm a Lake Michigan guy. River boaters may have more experience. We picked up a 3 knot boost with the current. Some serious washing machine action going on out there.

Sitting at Hoppies, we have watched a lot of debris go by. A red nun buoy went by and was rescued downstream of Hoppies by a Corps of Engineers barge unit. Oil drums, a refrigerator, a green marker buoy from the Missouri according to Fran.....lots and lots of trees and branches....I don't think I exaggerate when I say one goes by every second.

We will head out tomorrow at 7am......playing dodgeball with the trees and branches.