Visit to Quincy, Ill

We drove to Quincy, Illinois on Monday to get to a FedEx shipping location and it was only a short 18 miles away, had to cross the Mississippi to go north to the town.  We had read that there were some hiking/birding trails along the Muddy River in Quincy and we had stopped at the visitor's center to get info on where to get access to these parks.  Quincy is an OLLLLLDDDDDD city, the famous Lincoln Douglas debate took place in Quincy.  About 40K plus people live in that town.

Looking down river - no sign of clouds from Hurricane Irma

Had trouble finding the first park - Quinsippy Park - which is a small island just off the main land, and while we were told that there was a log cabin village and hiking trails, we opted not to go, there was no access to watching the river as we walked.  Coming back over the bridge to the main land we saw a whole bunch of turtles sunning themselves - never saw so many in one place.

Houses up on stilts, wonder when Mississippi flooded last

There were over 20 turtles on this log, I scared most of them off by accident

Along the way we noticed all the homes were up on stilts.  I know there was a really bad flood in 1973 that wiped out many towns and ruined crops, we wondered when there was a more recent flood - or maybe they have to build them up because of insurance?  I would not want to live along the river wondering when the next flood comes.

Sitting under the pavilion, watching the traffic go by

Quincy Yacht Club

Huh.  Did not know this about the Navy having training center in Quincy.

No traffic

We drove back to town and there was a main park right on the Mississippi and sits under the main bridge that connects Missouri and Illinois.  Nice little pavilion, had packed a lunch and sat and watched the river, hoping for traffic to come along.  We were just about to give up and bam, coming down river was a barge, and then upriver we noticed another one.  Watched a bit and then drove on back to Hannibal.  A disappointed day because we had hoped to be out in the beautiful sunny environment but relaxing sitting by the water.

Ha! Tug and barge coming down stream

Looked down stream and 2 coming up!  Cool