On this ride, I planned to ride south along the Mississippi River, sometimes in Wisconsin, sometimes in Minnesota, and sometimes in Iowa. My adventure took me through many small river towns in each of those states.
A primitive form of social media in Prescott Wisconsin. Perhaps an opinion, or perhaps satire. Regardless, it gave me a chuckle. The sign was gone the next day…. Maybe there’s someone in Prescott who hates signs that say God hates signs?
Sign, sign, everywhere a sign.
Blockin’ out the scenery,
Breakin’ my mind.
Do this, don’t do that,
Can’t you read the sign?
Five Man Electrical Band - 1970
Goats on rocks. Bob the Harley in the foreground. Just south of La Crescent MN.
A better pic of the goats.
At the border town of New Albin Iowa. Small town feel, 24 hour fuel.
Looking Northeast across the marshes of the Mississippi River, with the bluffs of Wisconsin in the background.
The Black Hawk bridge in Lansing Iowa, named after Black Hawk, a Native Sauk warrior. Built in 1929, this bridge is the northernmost Mississippi River crossing in Iowa. Black Hawk fought in many battles, including in 1812 when he fought alongside the British in hopes of pushing white settlers away from Sauk territory. Black Hawk wrote his autobiography in 1833, the first Native American autobiography to be published in the U.S..
The Black Hawk bridge, also known as the Lansing Bridge, was featured in the 1999 film, “The Straight Story”, based upon the true story of Alvin Straight who in 1994 drove a 30 year old John Deere lawn mower 240 miles across Iowa into Wisconsin, pulling a homemade trailer no less, to visit his estranged brother who had recently had a stroke. Alvin could not get a driver’s license because his legs and eyes were too impaired. He made it. Apparently it’s true: Nothing runs like a Deere.
A memorial to the people who donated in some way to the lighting of the Black Hawk Bridge in 2004.
View from under the Black Hawk Bridge in Lansing Iowa. The bridge was closed between 1945 and 1957 due to damage from ice damming. It has been deemed obsolete and is scheduled to be replaced in 2024. See it before it’s gone.
Can you see the chicken lying on its back with one foot gripping the abutment of the bridge? Once you see it I dare you to unsee it.
A very scenic area to explore!
That’s the story from the road for now. Thanks for looking!
Dave- at first I thought, hmmm, hallucinogenics? But then I squinted and imagined a dark colored rubber chicken toy hanging by one foot, and voilà!, there it was!
ReplyDeleteThe Iowa Alps, man, what a great area of roads to explore! Thanks for sharing.
Dave once again i so throughly enjoy your photos and history lesson with them. It is a great inspiration to me to get out there and take in my surroundings. Keep up the great work. Oh btw next time put your truck in leave out the 2 wheeler
ReplyDeleteAs always, I thoroughly enjoyed your blog. This summer, I am going to get up off my duff and start visiting places in this state. (Yes, I know that you were in Iowa). What a great role model you are to us old duffs who think we are too old to do what you are doing. Excellent job. As always, if you get up my way, let me know. It would be great to see you.
ReplyDeleteDave ,I agree with the other comments that you are an inspiration to others. Your history references remind me that there are interesting stories all around us. Thanks for finding them for us.
ReplyDeleteThanks Dave! I love your pictures and your trips. The picture of the bridge thru the abutment was especially nice. Funky looking chicken. Sign Sign Everywhere a sign still loops in my brain after 50+ years. I’m glad I’m not the only one.
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