June 1, 2016. We Conquer The Great River Road.

June 1, 2016.  We Conquer The Great River Road.  Hooray, we spent the entire day on the Great River Road!  I did miss one turn, but we backtracked and picked it up again.  We departed Hastings, MN this morning and tonight finds us just south of La Crosse, WI.  As the crow files, that's a distance of 120 miles.  However, we were on the road for six hours.  We stopped at 4-6 towns along the way and stopped another time for lunch.  As the river widens, the towns are closer together and each has a distinct identity and flavor. 


The first three pictures were taken on our walk last night at the campground.  I don't know the name of the bird on the limb.  I would guess it is a Baltimore oriole, but it has been several years since I made much of a study of birds. 


The upper Mississippi River is home to hundreds of bald eagles.  The National Eagle Center is in Wabasha, MN.  Outside the Center is an interesting fountain and Native American statue.  The statue is of Wapahaska II.  There was a Wapahaska who was a leader in the Dakota War of 1862.  I don't think they are the same person, although they may be related.  The signage didn't clearly say why this Wapahaska in immortalized in bronze.


The center has five live eagles which are on display.  Each has been rescued from the wilds and are often taken to schools as part of the center's education initiatives.  The birds are tethered so visitors can get up close and personal with them.  It is sad that they aren't soaring on the winds and fishing in the river.  However, they are where they are because they are unable to do those things.  I suppose a life in captivity is better than no life at all.  Or, is it? 


The other picture worthy of comment is the one of the tugboat passing through one of the myriad locks along the river.  I've mentioned there are numerous locks and dams along the river.  This one is lock and dam number 5A.  We sat in an overlook and saw the tug pass through the lock.  It was followed by two barges.  However, the tug powered through the lock.  The barges floated through slowly, very slowly.  The second barge just stopped before it cleared the lock.  We waited and watched for it to pass through.  It didn't.  For all I know, it is still there tonight. 


Tomorrow, we will cross the border from Minnesota into Iowa.  The Great River Road crosses the river many times. Since the river forms the border of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, we will be in all those states as we follow the road. 


Tonight we are in The Goose Island Campground.  It is owned by the county and is pretty large, having over 400 campsites.  The nice lady in the registration office told me the next stage of the road is the prettiest.  I don't know how much of the road she has traveled, but her comment encourages me. 


Today was a good day of exploration.  I hope the nice lady in the office was correct and that it keeps getting better.


Goodnight.