River Remarks

The best part of travel in the Midwest is to keep off Interstates and really explore and experience the more local areas of our great country.  Our trip continues to keep us free of the Interstate and closer to the Mississippi River country.

As we progressed northward up the river area we had a coffee stop in Bellevue, IA.  Bellevue is small town located on the Mississippi River between Davenport and Dubuque.   This is a classic Mississippi river town with a park pathway along the river and dotted with lots of sitting benches for people to stop, rest and view the great Mississippi.   

 

On the river pathway in Bellevue



We stopped at the Saturday Farmer’s Market.  It was a small group of people selling their home grown vegetables and baked goods.   The market was closing but Bill still had some time to chat.

There seems to be a strange attraction that rules the banks of the Mississippi River.  Regardless of how bad the flooding or whatever else that impacts this region, the people of the river area love their Mississippi.  You can talk with any of them and you‘ll feel their love of where they live.     

Across the main street from the market I saw a sign for the Book Worm.   In the store’s window was a large stuffed Boston Terrier. When I opened the door I was greeted by the two owners- one a retired teacher- and their Boston Terrier.   The shop was filled with new and used books (I bought two), lots of Country Living type accessories, and of course, some Boston Terrier trinkets.

Living along the Mississippi is not easy. The locals are well aware of what this river can do to them in flooding.  This for some reason seems to be an acceptable risk even though they are well aware there is no insurance that protects them if they continue to live in the flood zones of the river.   Our travels continue . . .



Along the Mississippi