: It's a heck of alot more than $50 for me to get the boat salty ;)

: Probably something like $200 or so, one way, don't do it very
: often.

You do have the Saline River on the south end of Illinois. It was named by the early French explorers for the ancient salt works operated by native Americans, and later by French settlers. The water might not be as salty as the ocean, but it is a heck of a lot closer!

Closer still, and far less salty, would be Salt Creek near Elmhurst, IL. The Prairie State Canoeists have several group paddling events on that waterway. Their schedule can be found at:
http://www.prairiestatecanoeists.org/schedule.php They have a few events which are practically in your back yard.

PGJ