The Charm of Mississippi River Towns

"The Mississippi River towns are comely, clean, well built, and pleasing to the eye, and cheering to the spirit. The Mississippi Valley is as reposeful as a dreamland, nothing worldly about it ... nothing to hang a fret or worry upon."  Mark Twain, Life on the Mississippi

When we took car rides as a kid, my siblings and I had a game we played. Every time we crossed a bridge over a river, the first one to spell "Mississippi" was the winner. Living near Minneapolis, we often crossed this great river with a funny name. 

M-I-S-S-I-S-S-I-P-P-I ... it is still my favorite word to spell. 

Over the past few weeks, we've had the opportunity to cross this mighty river a number of times as we spent time in a few Mississippi River towns that were, as Mark Twain observed many years ago, "pleasing to the eye, and cheering to the spirit".

Little Falls, Minnesota

The wedding of a friend brought us to the central Minnesota town of Little Falls. The Mississippi River runs right through town giving me many opportunities to spell my favorite word as we explored the surroundings. We biked on the Soo Line Trail which took us near to one of the many dams that harness the water power of the mighty river.

While walking in a riverside park, we struck up a conversation with two men setting up their camping gear alongside their kayaks. We learned that they were on a three month adventure kayaking the length of the Mississippi. They had started at the headwaters of the Mississippi River, Lake Itasca, a couple of weeks earlier and hoped to be in New Orleans sometime in October. 

"Borrowed" this picture from the internet, as I imagine
the many days of paddling that lie ahead for these men.

Like these modern day voyagers, the Mississippi River has been inspiring adventurers throughout the ages.

On the banks of the river in Little Falls is the boyhood home of American aviator, Charles Lindbergh. We toured his home and heard stories of how Lindbergh developed a fascination for flying as he gazed out his window and watched the birds gliding gracefully over the water.

His inventive mind was always thinking of unique ways to problem-solve. He devised an easier way to transport the heavy ice blocks from the ice house into his home's "refrigerator",

... built an "incubator" to hatch chickens for extra food during WWI, and unfortunately, almost burnt down the house because of it,

... and figured out a way to become the first person to fly solo and non-stop across the Atlantic in 1927.

The Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St Paul, Minnesota

After Little Falls, we spent another week in Minneapolis visiting family, attending the State Fair, and biking on some of our favorite bike trails. Portions of these trails brought us alongside the Mississippi River as it winds itself around and through the Twin Cities.

The power produced by St Anthony Falls in Minneapolis, the highest waterfall on the Mississippi River, assisted in the early growth of Minneapolis. Today city parks and bike trails line the mighty river's edge, creating many recreational opportunities.

One of my favorite stops is at Minnehaha Falls, where the water from a tiny creek makes one last tumble before it flows into the Mississippi River.

Dubuque, Iowa

As we began our journey south out of Minnesota, we stopped for a long weekend at our next Mississippi River town of Dubuque, Iowa. Looking right out our front window at Miller Riverview Campground, we were greeted by spectacular sunrises over the river.

Surrounded by rolling hills, Dubuque definitely emitted a glow of "reposefulness". We went into downtown to try out a few of their breweries and were delighted to happen upon the Millwork Night Market, a once a month celebration in the heart of their historic mill works district.

Live music ...

scrumptious food ...

and adorably friendly folks filled the streets ...

... and we knew that like Mark Twain, we had nothing to "hang a fret or worry upon". 

The next day we took a bike ride along the Heritage Trail west of Dubuque. Biking past the fields of corn waiting to be harvested reminded us of another field that was not too far down the road. And we knew that since they built it, we should go.

The "Field of Dreams" movie site is still beautifully maintained in the middle of acres of cornfields.

Everyone who comes needs to run the bases or just sit in the stands. As a friend jokingly asked, "Is your 'Kevin Costner' waiting for Shoeless Joe Jackson to come out of the corn to play catch or just waiting for the beer vendor to begin beer sales??!!"

Back in Dubuque, a trip up to Eagle Point Park gave us a "bird's eye view" of one of the many lock and dams that line the Mississippi River. It was amazing to watch the huge barges just barely fit into the lock as they continued their journey up or down the river. We kept an eye out for our kayaking friends ... I wonder where they are now on their Mississippi journey?

Doug was a real trouper as he took me on a day trip to the "historic town turned shopping mecca" of Galena, Illinois which is located about 15 miles east of Dubuque.

Another opportunity for a history lesson presented itself as we toured Ulysses S Grant's house. He lived there for three years from the end of the Civil War until his election in 1868 as the 18th president of the United States. For a $5 donation, we were given an interesting half hour tour and insight into the family life of US and Julia Grant.

The house is well preserved with 90% of the contents in the home original, including US Grant's favorite green chair pictured above. 

Doug was very patient during our history lesson, architecture tour, and window shopping experience. In the midst of the Saturday crowds, he spotted his reward at the Galena Brewing Company. Not the best craft beer that he has ever had, but as he noted, it definitely was "cheering to the spirit",

... as was the homemade pie that we found at Myrtle's Pies.

The Quad Cities of Iowa and Illinois

After our visit to Dubuque, we continued to follow the Mississippi River south to the Quad Cities of Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa and Rock Island and Moline, Illinois to participate in a two week Habitat for Humanity build. We were kept busy during the week (more on that fun in the next blog entry), but were able to take a day to bike on the beautiful trails along the Mississippi River edge.

Bridges, biking and a brewery or two "cheered our spirits" after an active week on the Habitat for Humanity construction site.

Cooler temperatures last week brought out the beauty of the autumn colors and also reminded us that we need to continue our journey south down the Mississippi. 

We are currently exploring another Mississippi River town whose Gateway Arch welcomes all to a "dreamland" of opportunities.

Another "borrowed" beauty of a picture ...

Until next time ... Let your surroundings be "cheering to the spirit" ... and enjoy the adventures in your life!

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