French King - A Drink of the River

Running eastward through 42N country is the Iowa River. In Coralville the impounded river forms the Coralville Reservoir. Upstream from the pool of the lake is the natural course of the Iowa as seen here. The river traverses farmland and urban centers alike. Today cities draw and purify water from the river for drinking and discharge.

A world away and 900 years ago during the Battle of Gisors French King Philip Augustus lost his footing on a bridge and drank of the river. While French rivers have appealing names, our local Iowa River may be comparable. Then again, at one time, the Iowa River was a French possession. President Thomas Jefferson authorized the acquisition of these lands from the French for $15 million. The transaction is known today as the Louisiana Purchase. Know that.

Extra Texture

A bit of texture can be found in 42N country along the Iowa River in northern Johnson County, Iowa. Here where the Coralville Reservoir pool becomes the Iowa River (up stream from the dam) you can find many examples of seasonal or transitional textures.

This area often floods and is covered by a thick deposit of mud. For the past two months we have received little rain leaving these flats dry and cracked. However don't be fooled, and step lively. These seemingly dried mud regions still hold more than adequate moisture below, in fact there is enough sogginess to send a weighted shoe into condition unacceptable. Now You know that is the answer at the end. Know that.