JW Hershey Up Bound on the Mississippi River

Commercial strength 5,000 horse power diesels propel the JW Hershey tug through Lock #16 on Mississippi River. Built in 1965, the 157-foot vessel was seen on August 30th pushing thirteen cargo barges through the Illinois side of Lock and Dam #16 directly across from Muscatine, Iowa. Home port for the JW Hershey is in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
A barge crew works to keep the tug/barge configuration in place within the lock as muddy waters rose to equal the up-river pool. Barge men give the pilot their verbal "ok" once the secure rigging is untied from the lock's side. With a powerful thrust of the engine the JW Hershey slowly pushed her cargo northward as a down bound tug waited to enter the lock. Two days later she continues her journey, and is presently situated at pool 11 on September 1.

Whether you watch these workhorses on the Mississippi River or their bigger brethren slip through the Soo Locks at Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan or on the Saint Lawrence Seaway in upstate New York there is something captivating about large scale water-based travel. Perhaps it represents the freedom to go many places on this water planet. Know that.

All Aboard the Pearl Button in Muscatine, Iowa

Mississippi River excursion boating returned to Muscatine, Iowa (41.42N, 91.04W) with the operation of the Pearl Button sidewheeler. In July 2009, the new owners of the boat combined a water cruise experience with a land-based restaurant (Button Factory Woodfire Grille) and horse drawn carriage rides. The boat's name is derived from the pearl button industry that flourished in the river city nearly a century ago.

Most recently the cruiser ran excursion trips from Stillwater, Minnesota and was relocated downriver last October to her new home in Muscatine. Currently, Sunday excursions are offered from 1:15 pm - 3:15 pm. The passenger boat is powered by 2 - 85 hp diesels and an auxiliary on the stern. The carriage ride is powered by two horses who reportedly are brothers. Know that.

Aftermath of 8/27 Indian Creek Flood

Indian Creek in 42N country flash flooded after 7.07 inches of rain came down on August 27, 2009. Annually the creek floods (usually in late May or June but not always) despite flood control improvements up creek in northern Linn County, Iowa. The protection of the homes in the area above will require more structural improvements to the flood plain including a dike or series of berms plus more aggressive upstream flood controls.

On Saturday, August 29th the creek had receded to its banks and left clear indications of the force of the Thursday rising water. Typical of the any flood on this creek are flattened grasses, new sand bar deposits, and uprooted trees. This flash flood was no exception to the pattern. Know that.

Tiger Dams Fail on Indian Creek - Cedar Rapids, Iowa

After 7.07 inches of rain fell in a 36-hour period, 42N country's Indian Creek flooded southeast side neighborhoods in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. This event occurred only 14 months after the historic 2008 flood of the Cedar River and Indian Creek in Cedar Rapids. Today's flash flood was significant for a couple of reasons. For the first time the city deployed Tiger Dams, a removable bladder-like series of tubes that fill with water, tether together and stack to form a barrier. These dams were assembled the day before as part of a training exercise (see video). The other reason this flood was significant was that the muddy colored waters crept a bit closer to the 42N command center than in years' previous.

Today's rainfall sent the creek rising much faster and higher than anticipated. The swollen creek circumvented the 200 feet run of the temporary dam and began to back fill behind the structure. City crews raced to the scene and positioned sandbags in an attempt to shore up the Tiger Dams. Due to several factors (water pressure, positioning, join strength, current velocity, debris and who knows what), the Tiger Dams failed around 7:30 pm. Upon their collapse water was sent up the streets and into homes. The crew quickly approached the sewer lines and began pumping to relieve the water pressure. When the first location failed the crew went a half block up the street to repeat the pressure fix. This time their actions were successful. Waters began to slowly recede around 9:10 pm and by morning the creek was near its banks again.

Local ABC-TV affiliate KCRG (Channel 9) arrived around 8 pm and interviewed the residents about the Tiger Dams' effectiveness. Station reporter and producer Alyson Hunt conducted the interview. Her report was actually the lead story for the 10 pm news. Know that.

Crown Jewels Still Sparkle Over Iowa Countryside

High above the prairie, glass and porcelain insulators still shine from some telephone pole masts. In 42N country these artifacts, sometimes referred to as crown jewels, can be found near railroad lines. While many poles with insulators have largely disappeared over the years, weathered remnants like this (above) remain intact or laying on the ground close to where they once overlooked.

Thrift stores, auctions and garage sales are good places to find and start collecting insulators. Many times the cost of basic insulators is cheap and an easy way to begin a hobby. If you get the insulator collecting bug consider joining clubs like the National Insulator Association and connect with other insulator enthusiasts. Another good resource site is the Glass Insulators Collectors Reference site. One simple way to get started is to collect glass insulators of different colors and shapes -- like the top row in the photo above. Know that.

Grain Gain in Jesup, Iowa

Along most of 42N latitude and just a quarter turn of the globe west from London, England lies the grain producing regions of the American Midwest. Within the harvest-to-market system there are thousands of grain bins like these along railroads and major river systems.

Here in Jesup, Iowa (42.47N, 92.06W) these bins await the upcoming corn and soybean crop harvest in just a few months. Grain collected from Jesup area farms is transported to corporate customers for further processing via the Illinois Central Railroad which runs along the base of bins. Jesup's concrete multiple bins were built in the 1960s. More recently constructed bins are composed of stainless steel and strengthened by retention rings. These working bins are a sign of a healthy agricultural economy on the prairie. Know that.

Steam Drills Get the Lead of Out of Platteville - Literally!

In the late 1600s European traders on the upper Mississippi River began bartering with the natives. One of the more valuable traded assets was lead ore mined near Dubuque, Iowa. Later, more lead was discovered in nearby limestone deposits. One of these locations was in present day Platteville, Wisconsin. Here the lead mining business was centered for many years from the late 1800s through mid-1900s.

A relic from the lead mining heyday is this steam powered rock drill pictured above. It was made by the Ingersoll Drilling Company and is on display in front of Wisconsin's first state normal school (a college for teachers.) In 1905 the building was the home to the Wisconsin Mining Trade School.

Platteville's extensive mining history is visible throughout the town. An extensive Mining Museum complete with a gas-powered train (ore carts) and a portion of an actual lead mine can be toured. There you can observe the transition from pick and axe mining to steam powered rock drilling that helped get the lead out (and zinc) of the Platteville area. Know that.

Summertime in Urbana, Iowa...Going Once, Twice, Sold

Mid- to late summer in 42N country means billowing clouds in late afternoon. These tend to lead to thunderstorms and perhaps more severe weather. This particular afternoon a crowd gathered at a weekly auction north of Urbana, Iowa on a farm. The auctioneer (in the red hat and stripped shirt) conducts the outside portion of the sale first then moves indoors. His sale includes about eight hay racks full of miscellaneous household/farm items that generally sell cheaply -- like that white chair seen in the foreground. It now resides in my backyard. Besides the sale of material that you would expect from any auction this is also a time to talk to people and see the countryside. There are stories out there. Know that.

Bill Mundt and the Oelwein Railyard

It is not necessarily the extensive railroad artifacts found at the Oelwein Railroad Museum (also known as Hub City Heritage Corporation) that impresses a visitor. It is the enthusiasm and knowledge of the museum’s president Bill Mundt (top photo.) On a recent stop at one of 42N country’s largest collection of railroad cars and gear, Bill provided a personal one-hour tour of the various buildings and rail cards, including a look inside this 1950 diesel locomotive (seen above) located in Oelwein, Iowa.

Annually in mid-August Oelwein celebrates railroad days. This year the museum volunteers are refurbishing a wooden Rock Island Railroad caboose for display, one of only two of this type known to be in existence. Seek out Bill or one of the other volunteers to give you an informative peek at the not too distant past. Know that.

Iowa's Best: Maquoketa Caves State Park

Contrary to common opinion 42N country is rich in diverse topography. Nestled off the rolling prairie is Iowa's best known cave park - Maquoketa Caves State Park. The park (latitude 42.11N, longitude 90.78W) was established in the 1920s and took shape as a modern managed property with construction from the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) and the Workers Progress Administration (WPA) projects. These Depression-era entities helped to construct stone walkways and picnic shelters within the park.

In 2009 the park is in good shape with improved walkways within the caves, updated picnic shelters, and working lighting systems in the large cave - minimizing the need for flashlights. The latest addition to the park is an outdoor shower area for cavers to hose off mud from a day of exploration. Today two park rangers escorted a group of hard hat wearing children to one of the caves within the cave where they disappeared into the wall after a short climb. Kids love it of course.

One of the big lures of the caves is the natural air conditioning offered in the summer time. Walk through the large caves and be prepared to see your breath. Enter the creek if you dare but be prepared not to feel your feet after the numbing cold sets in. The park is a good alternative to the peak of summer heat. In the winter time the main cave is closed for hibernating bats but the smaller caves remain open. Check out Cave #1 in the winter for ice formations that resemble stalactite and stalagmite formations. Know that.

Des Moine's Blank Park Zoo Gang

Got a few hours and a camera? Get yourself over to Des Moine's Blank Park Zoo. There you will discover a growing collection of animals from around the world. From sea lions to large cat lions you will find many photo opportunities to impress yourself with subjects both large and small. The zoo (latitude 41.520430N, longitude: 93.624638W) is located close to the DSM airport and is easily accessible by dropping down half a degree of latitude from 42N. After artistically snapping your best photos of the animals you can choose to refuel at the Cheesecake Factory in West Des Moines or nudge back north to the solitude of the 42N latitude.

Inch Size Hail Damages NE Iowa Corn Crop

On Friday, July 24 a powerful storm rolled through 42N country around the Clermont, Elgin and Wadena area (42.839N and 91.652W.) Up to inch size hail, strong winds, and heavy downpours concentrated their destruction in this picturesque portion of NE Iowa in Fayette county. Damage photographed on July 26th shows how these elements wiped out much of the corn crop between Elgin and Wadena. Normally the corn is several feet high and has started to tassel. These damaged stands measured about three feet high and smaller. Click on the my photos above for a larger view of the crop's destruction.

With the warm temperatures today essentially drying the fields, the smell of fresh corn was all around like that of shucked sweet corn. This time however the stalks look like sugar cane stands with green bedding material on the ground. All of these green stalks will yellow in the coming days as farmers and landowners check their crop insurance policies and figure out how they will proceed for the season. Some farmers will have to determine how to feed their cattle with no corn crop available.

Just outside this roughly 80 square mile area damaged by the hail, the corn crop looks outstandingly wonderful as a result of timely water and low stress conditions. Know that.

Little Depot in Vinton, Iowa

A relic in 42N country is the Vinton Depot located in Vinton, Iowa (42.168N, 92.023W.) Dedicated on March 1, 1900 this portal to past rail traffic now preserves the area’s history as a museum. At this rail station you can find a Rock Island Line caboose from the 1950s and assorted road crossing warning signs. But here's the rest of the story of these tracks...

In the town of Vinton there is a facility formerly known as the Iowa College for the Blind. One of its most famous students was 16-year old Mary Amelia Ingalls, the sister of Little House on the Prairie author Laura Ingalls Wilder. Mary's sight declined during the years at On the Banks of Plum Creek (Walnut Grove, Minnesota) and worsened when the family moved to DeSmet, South Dakota. Her parents, Charles and Caroline Ingalls, also known as Pa and Ma, took Mary by rail from DeSmet to Vinton for the start of school on November 23, 1881 on the recommendation from a missionary who knew of the sight college.

Mary graduated in 1889 and moved back to DeSmet to live with her family. On October 20, 1928, Mary died and was buried in the family plot near DeSmet. In the 1930s her sister Laura began writing the Little House stories that would immortalize the family including Mary's story of blindness and her connection to the town of Vinton.

Aside from the Little House books which are still in print, much more original material on the Ingalls family can be found at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library in West Branch, Iowa. Laura’s only child, Rose donated her professional papers (as a journalist and novelist) and much of her mother’s manuscripts for the Little House books to the Hoover library for archiving.

While the Ingalls passed through Vinton a decade before this depot was dedicated perhaps they used the same area to board. The specialized school is now known as the Iowa Braille School and can be more readily reached car. Some 128 years ago the school was reached by rail - this rail. Know that.

Air Tractor At Vinton, Iowa Airport

Crop dusting, also known as aerial spraying, is used for insect and weed control and is big business in 42N country. To tackle the job you need a versatile machine and pilot. Tied down at the Vinton Veterans Memorial Airpark (42.2186389N, 92.0259167W) three miles north of Vinton, Iowa is this Air Tractor (AT) 300 series agricultural aircraft. From the looks of the fuselage, the aircraft has been in service for several years.

While this model may have been manufactured in the 1980s several electronic advances have emerged to assist the farmer who contracts for aerial spraying. One of these advances is a GPS-based process called precision aerial application which can direct spray to those areas of the field that actually need the treatment. This technique results in less chemical use, reduced cost of operation and improves yield results -- sounds just like one of many ag radio commercials heard in 42N country during football season. Know that.