Driving the Great River Road in Minnesota and Wisconsin

We decided to do the 'loop,' driving across the bridge in Wabasha and heading south along the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi.  We were surprised at how wide the Mississippi is in this area, almost looks like the bayou down in the New Orleans area, very wet, doesn't seem as wild, but very pretty.  Were not sure how the trees stay alive, being under water.

Crossed the Mississippi on this bridge 3 times in one day 

Lots of wet lands

Fly way for the tundra swan 

Stopped here at Rieck's Lake

Can you imagine what it looks like when they are there in the winter?

Came into Alma, cutesy small town with Lock and Dam #4.  There are 29 locks between St. Paul and St. Louis, Missouri.  We stopped at 4, 5A, and 5.  In Alma people were gathering on the street for (we think) a Renaissance festival, lots in period clothing.  Continued on in and out of small towns, stopping along the way to see historical sites or parks, learning about the flight pattern of the migrating birds. how the area was settled, etc.

Lock Number 4

You can see a small boat (man standing holding rope) waiting for gate to open

When we visited Lock 4, we had to walk up and over the railroad tracks to get close to the locking area.  A small boat had begun to lock through, we watched it, then on our way back up and over, 2 trains came by.  A little thrilling!

And off he goes

Standing on cross walk bridge - here comes a train

And another coming from the south

The vibration and power felt when they passed under us was amazing

Gathering for Renaissance festival

This farm was growing antique cars in the trees

Very distinct homes along the River

VERY distinct homes

We got as far south as Winona, not far from La Crosse, crossed over the Mississippi again back into Minnesota, stopped for a cup of coffee, then headed back up to Wabasha.  Must say the Wisconsin side is prettier, you are riding along the Mississippi.  Since it was early (noon) we got back into Wabasha, crossed back over the bridge again and followed the River Road in Wisconsin northward, stopped along the way to see historical sites, stopped in Pepin to read about Laura Ingells Wilder (Little House on the Prairie books), continued orn until we got to Red Wing (the shoe maker started here), turned back around and headed back to the RV.  In all, we got back to the RV by 3:30.

Lock 5A, had to go under the tracks (was locked)

Peaceful, scenic

Crossing back over to Winona, Minnesota

The architecture of buildings was great!

In Winona, we were this close to see a tug boat and barges

House boats tide up along the shore

Can see the barges/tugs not far off shore

How do these trees not die from all the water?

Stopped here to see boats and people playing in the water

And, it was so hot - 95 with 80% humidity.  The cats were panting, we have not seen them this hot.  We do not leave the a/c on while we are gone - we leave windows open and fans on.  We have been in campgrounds where there power was lost, and if we had closed up the RV and run the a/c and lost power, we could roast the cats.  Kicked on the a/c when we got back and got it cooled down nicely.

The years and height of each of the floods

Tug and barge coming down stream

Lake Pepin freezes over and they do ice sailing, something
we have seen on Lake Erie

Lake Pepin

Are we in Hood River again?

We are sitting tight right now - there are tornado warnings out until 2pm, so we will hunker down and do nothing......  It is now 3 hours later, tornado warnings in town have expired, heavy rain and lightning came through, some flooding,  fortunately nothing bad happened.