Travelling at trawler speed we motored past LaCrosse, Wi., home to a fine Oktoberfest celebration that goes on for a week! Shortly after LaCrosse we approached Lock #7. A quick call on the VHF and the gates were opening. It is from this point north that the river just gets more and more awe inspiring. Tall rocky bluffs. A meandering channel. Wildlife of all forms. So many eagles that you lose count. We even had to alter course today for a fox that was swimming across the river. Another first for all of us! It's this area that I think of when I hear the "Loopers" complain about the Mississippi. They just haven't witnessed the best part of the river!
We made it through four locks today with minimal waiting time and ended our day with rain threatening at another sand pit below Alma, Wi. Again being the deck hand I was dispatched over the side to set the anchors.
Ever wonder how some of us pass the time while travelling? Here are the Vagabond cuties doing their thing while travelling upriver.
Day Four Tuesday 9/7/10 Following a good nights sleep we awoke to the sound of the wind howling through the trees surrounding the pit. A quick listen to NOAA revealed a forecast of winds from the west at 20 to 30 mph with gusts as high as 45mph and a chance of rain. Uffda! We're headed to Red Wing which means crossing Lake Pepin, a stretch of open water some 20 miles long which is notorious for being rough when the wind kicks up.
We pulled up anchors (read me, deckhand Rick) and headed to Lock #4. Good luck. A southbound tow had just left and the chamber was open and waiting for us. As we rose in the chamber the full force of the wind could be felt as it pushed Vagabond into the lock wall. We exited the lock to a river that was still calm in spite of the wind. We knew that wouldn't last. As we travelled past Wabasha, Mn. we discussed ending the day at Parkside Marina but being the curious individuals that we are we decided to poke our nose into Lake Pepin. We travelled out into the lake about two miles with the waves on our bow growing as we went deeper into the lake. When they consistently were in the 3 to 4 foot range we decided that comfort was more important than destination and turned around and headed back to Wabasha.
After wrestling the boat into the pump-out dock and then into a slip we headed to town. A short walk from the marina. It's been a couple of years since Pam & I were last in Wabasha and what we found was sad. Many store fronts vacant and those that were still occupied were closed on Monday & Tuesday. The biggest shock however was that the Anderson House was closed and for sale. A once popular old hotel and restaurant now vacant. One bright spot in downtown Wabasha is the opening a few years ago of a museum dedicated to eagles located right on the waterfront.
Our trek downtown ended at Slippery's Bar & Grill for cocktails and dinner. You might remember Slippery's from the Grumpy Old Men movies starring Jack Lemon & Walter Matthau.
Slippery's from the river.
A few other scenes around Wabasha.
Tourists
Pumpkin Heads
"Kim, I want one like this for the house!"
Yours truly displaying my new Slippery's bottle condom.
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