Chapter 14: Like Jurassic Park

Cruising through the river at times, seemed like Jurassic Park. So many pterodactyl-like birds including blue heron, white egrets, big osprey, Canada geese, white pelicans, and bald eagles. Lost count of the many eagles we saw!
On one section of the river near Joliet, there is an electric, bottom-floor fence to keep the Asian Carp from migrating to the Great Lakes. These are highly invasive and have been problematic for many years. While cruising on Aug. 30 near Ottawa, our boat was swarmed by small white birds and they were getting really close to us. Bridgett went to the back to take a photo and all of a sudden, these big white fish started jumping and flying everywhere! Bill had read an early book about the Great American Loop discussing these flying fish landing in boats. This was one of the reasons he was intrigued about this adventure. It was almost exhilarating, seeing the flying fish he had read about years ago. Bridgett, on the other hand said, “Hell to the no they aren’t jumping on my boat!”Read more