Excursion Journals: Monday June 28th, 2004

 

Monday morning found us headed back to Dubuque, IA for the festivities there as a host of riverboats steamed into port. We breakfasted on Belgian waffles served up by the Kiwanis Club under the Rotary Pavilion on the Grand Harbor levee. A brass band played classics like Yankee Doodle, When Johnny Comes Marching Home, Old Susanna, and Daisy as we met the crowds watching the flotilla. Riverboats present included the beautiful Spirit of Peoria, the Celebration Belle, the Spirit of Dubuque, the Anson Northrup, and the Lilly Belle. Many of the boats cruised up and down the river taking people on extended tours before returning to port. Captain Ike Hastings of the Lilly Belle took the UMBSN crew out for a cruise to East Dubuque where we held another open house for the people gathered there. High water once again made boarding the riverboat difficult.

Rotary Pavillion, Dubuque: A brass band plays old classics during the celebration. The Kiwanis Club served a Belgian Waffle breakfast under the pavillion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The crowds in Dubuque were impressive. After meeting up with Brian Aldrich at his photo display in the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, we found traffic through the parking lot to be non-stop gridlock. We could see a line of vehicles stretched all the way across the bridge coming from downtown Dubuque as people tried to get down to the waterfront to see the flotilla and partake in the festive atmosphere of the beer and food court and outdoor concert events. We made the most of the throngs of people by handing out approximately 700 copies of the Monitor and spreading the news about conservation issues on the Mississippi River.

 

Spirit of Peoria: The Spirit of Peoria unloads passengers in Dubuque.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a long day in the sun meeting people, we set out for Wyalusing State Park just south of Prairie Du Chien, WI where we spent the night. We will have to return to Wyalusing State Park to spend a couple of days enjoying the spectacular views and recreation opportunities.