Daddy's Christmas Angel

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

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.




10 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I'm sure it has some beautiful spots that far upriver.

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

With all those locks, it is quite an amazing river up there. Thanks for commenting, Alex.

Marian Allen said...

I never think about the Mississippi going that far north, although I KNOW it does. It always seems like a Southern river to me.

On the other hand, I don't think of America as having lotuses.

So, you see, this post was a real eye-opener for me! That's one of the things you do so very well: make your reader see the world with fresh eyes and an open mind. :)

Marian Allen
Fantasies, mysteries, comedies, recipes

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Marian, thank you for that lovely comment. I hadn't thought about America having lotuses either. I wonder if they came here from Asia and sort of took over, like the kudzu in the south.

Chuck said...

Monti, being from Wisconsin I would love to see the Mississippi there and at its very beginning. Nice post.

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Chuck, thanks so much!

Anonymous said...

I've seen the Mississippi in Minneapolis / St. Paul and in St. Louis. Its pretty awesome to be there and see all the activity on the water and on the shores.

Michael Di Gesu said...

Awesome pics Monti,


I only saw the Mississippi in New Orleans and by my surprise it wasn't very impressive at the end.... But your pics show a wide and exiting river.

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Thanks, Stephen, for commenting. I learned a lot about the river, and I had never seen so many barges being pushed at once. Amazing stuff!

Notes Along the Way with Mary Montague Sikes said...

Hi Michael,
The river seems to be different at every curve in it. The locks have changed it, too. Apparently, there used to be impress falls at St. Croix Falls that no longer exist.

Thanks for commenting!