by John Mooy
Growing up in Marcellus we were surrounded by rivers, lakes and ponds. It was never difficult to imagine having a bit of Huck Finn or Tom Sawyer when the early morning destination might be to explore and spend the day on the banks of the Rocky River or floating across one of the many lakes in an old rowboat or an inner tube. More often on these days of exploration we could return home both soaked to the bone and tired. We loved the adventures.
As you may recall (but probably not) my former classmate Rex Copenhaver and I once built a raft of plywood, rope and inner tubes and had great plans to “sail” on the Rocky River which we entered just south of town. We had an amazing trip which as I recall covered roughly thirty feet on the river before sinking. We fell just short of our nautical goal to somehow reach the East coast. Most likely an impossibility. But what fun it was ………….. while it lasted.
So, during the last several weeks, my wife and I ended up in La Crosse, Wisconsin. We got the idea as we headed home on a route which would normally have taken us over to the Wisconsin Dells and then south toward Illinois, Indiana and eventually landing in Michigan. While at a welcome center situated right on the Mighty Mississippi River, we discovered what is known as The Great River Road which runs the length of the Mississippi River. The entire trip starts in Northern Minnesota and ends in New Orleans and runs roughly three thousand miles. Many of those miles right along the edge of the Mighty Mississippi.
We didn’t have time to do the entire trip, but our planning indicated we could go from La Crosse to Moline, Illinois, which would take roughly four to five hours. And just like that we were traveling south on The Great River Road.
The scenery along the way was spectacular. We counted thirteen bald eagles and spotted a number of nests that as you probably know are gigantic. I especially enjoyed the fact that there wasn’t much traffic. I think in part due to how curvy the road is along with its very high hills and valleys.
The signs kept us on track, but your instincts indicated that you simply have to stay as close to the river as the roads allow. Along the banks of the river were many old shacks that look as if they have been there forever. They appeared to be just thrown together with no particular plan in mind. I thought at any moment along the way I might see Tom and Huck on a raft floating down the river with their feet dangling in the water and talking about trouble they could get into. Boys will be boys.
Along the way were historic river towns with names like Harpers Ferry, McGregor, Dubuque and Moline. Dubuque is the oldest town in Iowa and has many old historic buildings and rowhouses going back nearly two hundred years. We made a number of stops along the way, first in McGregor to go through many shops which featured everything from antiques to coffee to an oversized peanut butter cookie. Guess what I got? Several stops were made solely to gaze out over the river. So incredibly beautiful.
When we arrived in Moline it was there we spent the night. The next morning, we got on interstate 80 heading east toward Chicago. The further we got away from the Big River the more the buildings and people increased in their density. Back to civilization.
Now we’re considering the possibility of driving the next section of the river. Indeed, this is THE GREAT RIVER ROAD for many reasons.
Have a great week, Marcellus.
You’re the best.
I hope you “just keep rolling along.”
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