Life At The River

We have now been residents of the Treasure Island RV Park for a week. Life in the Red Wing area is very different from our last location; we have neighbors who come and go, and no one has offered us any produce or a beer. Even though we are next door to a casino, it is more peaceful and the pace is slower for us. Overall, we are glad we made the move!

One of the good things about this location is that I am closer to mom. When I was in Kenyon last week, I couldn't resist snapping a few pictures of the butterflies in mom's garden of zinnias. It is too bad she doesn't get outside more often to enjoy these beauties. (Bobbi, you have to plant zinnias next year; the butterflies on these flowers were as plentiful as those at the place in Branson.)

On Saturday, our good friends Kathy and Tom came down for a visit. It has been a long while since we last spent time together and although we didn't make it out on the water, as we had planned, we did enjoy the ice cream in Nelson. What is a trip to the river, without a trip to Nelson.

While at the creamery, I couldn't resist doing a bit of photography. What do you think of this "reflected" picture of the four of us; it was fun trying to take the picture without the camera showing. No, I did not set a timer... I am holding the camera in this picture. And then I had to play a bit with the natural light coming in the window. Thanks guys for indulging me!

On Sunday we made a quick trip to Cleveland for church and then to Mankato to get my new glasses. Mike stopped so I could take this picture along one of the country roads; it just seemed to say "August in Minnesota". On our way home, we stopped in Kenyon and enjoyed a couple of hours visiting with mom.

Monday and Tuesday we spent ON the river. There is nothing like the Mississippi River to keep us entertained. Just like the San Diego Harbor, there is always something happening.

In Pool 3 , the corps was dredging and building up a sand bar,

the flowers in the back waters were making great reflections,

and the trains were whistling their way along the tracks.

We cruised up as far as Prescott, WI where the St. Croix River joins the Mississippi and just outside of town we saw this beautifully restored tugboat. When on Pool 4, we encountered these magnificent old vessels,

and we spent time fishing by Methodist Point where I attended girl scout camp years and years ago. I remember this ramshackled building and the cross looks just the same.

Oh, and Mike caught a couple of stripers.

Overall, it has been a good move for us and we are enjoying Life At The River.