Traveling Along the Mississippi

Mississippi River bridge at La Crosse, Wisconsin - MMSikes

The mighty Mississippi. I can understand why Mark Twain was beguiled by this river.

American Lotus and duck weed - MMSikes

We recently visited a few towns in Wisconsin and Minnesota that stand along its banks and have long histories with the river. While in La Crosse, we took a riverboat tour on the "Mississippi Explorer." This is the only one of the riverboats located there that leaves the main channel to navigate some of the inlets. The nation's first interstate highway, the Mississippi is a working river as well as a wild river, the naturalist guide on board told us.




The American lotus was in full bloom all along the river. The boat captain guided the vessel in so we could get close up views of this showy water plant that is the largest wildflower in the United States, blooming in July and August.

Barges under the bridge - MMSikes

The river is forever changing. Great lines of barges passed by as we dined along the river bank. How very important this river is and always has been. Paddle wheel boats, steamers, timber floats... So much history lies along the mighty Mississippi--the nation's first interstate highway.