In honor of Election Day, I offer three short stories of nineteenth century political games in Mississippi River towns. As new areas were settled, communities fought contentious political battles over the location of the county seat, like these places did. Enjoy! Rock Island County (Illinois) In 1833, Hampton and rival Farnhamsburg (now Rock Island) competed
Places along the Mississippi from Quad Cities south to northern Missouri experienced near-record flood levels in the summer of 2008.
You never know where you’re going to find the good stuff. Last week I had a dreary visit to downtown Clinton, Iowa, a dreariness amplified by my own weary mood, as I searched in vain for unique stores and signs of street life. This week in Clinton couldn’t have been more different. After a morning
So I’m backtracking through familiar territory right now, visiting motels, B&Bs, etc. to get a look at rooms and verify rates as I finish the chapter for the loop north of the Quad Cities. I am not very excited about this part of the project. I am also trying to figure out what kinds of stores
Pictures of decaying buildings and abandoned places.
Winter driving sucks. I know this. I have 12 hard-earned years of winter driving experience in Minnesota and Wisconsin. You can’t be in a hurry. You have to stay alert. Try to drive during daylight hours if it’s snowing. Pack your trunk with a survival kit. Steer into the skid. Pump your brakes to slow
