Viking,

I used to dodge boats like your while waterskiing on that same river. Just kidding. We kept our distance, but the wake behind the tow was a lot of fun. BTW, I was born about 5 miles from that arch in the background of your first photo.

My dad used to run a grain and fertilizer depot in Springfield, IL, and he and my mother used to ride a towboat downriver on occasion as guests.