Sunday, October 16, 2011

There's so much to see as we cruise along that I find myself wishing all of our friends could be here with us; since that's not possible I hope our photos will make you feel like you're able to experience at least a little bit of what it's like.

We overslept today because I forgot to set my alarm, so instead of taking off at 7:15 we woke up at 7:15 and didn't get going until 7:45. Starting out it was rainy, but not quite as cold this morning.
There was lots to see along the river in the Quad Cities area.

I don't have a clue what this building is, but I thought it was cool.  Make a comment if you know what it is.

 Another unidentified but impressive building.

 Coming in to Lock & Dam 15 we discovered that it's immediately followed by a railroad swing bridge!
Here we are cruising into the lock and you can see the closed swing bridge.  We were told the bridge would be opened for us.

But it didn't start to open until we were leaving the lock.  You can see the lock walls and the bridge just starting to open.

 

 We're just clearing the railroad swing bridge and here's yet another bridge ahead, although there's plenty of room under it for Paradise.

 Anyone know what this is???

 Couldn't resist these cute little tugs all lined up and the cheerful little tank in front of them.  =0)

 Everywhere we go, Joe tries to get a photo of the local post office if it's unique --this one is in Buffalo, Iowa.  Nice setting huh?

 Here's a convenient camp ground right next to a boat ramp so you can get right onto the water.

We actually did get some sunshine today around Buffalo, IA. 

 This is a huge limestone mining operation in Linwood, IA and it's one of the largest in the country.

A duck blind with decoys.  I keep seeing these along the way and they make me nervous...I don't want us to get between a hunter and his ducks!

Evening in Paradise--all three of us on computers. After dinner Joe sets up his cell phone with a "hot spot" and we all get on the internet.