Lock and Dam No. 4 on the Mississippi River at Alma, WI
A couple weeks ago, one of our granddaughters spent a week with us. What a delight she was to have around! Always a good sense of humor, always willing to put up with us, she gave her grandma and grandpa a fun week. Among the things we did while she was here was take a trip to Westby, WI (subject of a future post). Along the way, we stopped at Alma at the lock and dam on the Mississippi River.
Water level raised, ready to let the boats pass through.
I see I'm not the only one who likes puns.
'Noah Genda' passing through. You can see the other boats going south, lined up and waiting to get into the lock to be lowered to the water level south of the lock.
I have absolutely no idea who those people are, but thought it might seem rude to ask them to step aside so I could get a better shot of the bridge that goes over the railroad tracks. ;-) You can see Alma, built on the hillside, in the background.
Lydia and Kevin looking at the map of the river with its locks and dams
The lock (and Mississippi River) is just to the left of that red-roofed building.
You can't imagine how long I stood on that bridge, waiting for the train that 'comes really often,' we were told. I love trains and bridges, but didn't get to see this train. I'm sure that the minute we drove off, after spending more than an hour there, the train came. Oh well, I'll catch it again, for I plan on making the trip to Alma more frequently. The place is fascinating!
A tug, pushing a barge into the lock from the south (power plant in the background).
I have no idea why it's called a 'tug' when it doesn't tug anything - it pushes! The barge was so long it couldn't all get into the lock at the same time, so they had to do it in installments!
Coal, a reliable source of energy.
The Tug - a closer look
Okay, maybe you're thinking that all these photos are starting to look the same.
Little ole' Alma, WI, where there's always something interesting happening.
All those houses have a view of the great Mississippi River, as well as the trains and barges as they go past.
After leaving the lock area, we walked down the street - until Lydia found a kitty on the sidewalk. She tried awfully hard to get a photo of that silly cat.
I wondered how Lionel would feel if I brought home this huge tabby.
It wasn't really a consideration, since it obviously belonged to someone, but...
isn't he gorgeous!
(We hope you'll spend a week again soon!
We enjoyed every minute of it, Lydia!♥)
*********
Buy Any Five, Get One FREE
'Olive Blossom Castile'
100% Pure Olive Oil
Natural, Handcrafted, Vegan Soap
This post is linked to
