Clinton Marina to Port of Dubuque, Iowa (aka The Ice Harbor)

The difference between 2021 and 2018 is measurable on the river, especially when looking at the Candlestick Lighthouse, at the Clinton Marina. 

See what drought conditions can do:

SATURDAY travel...more on this below.  Hazy sky and flat light -- difficult for Dan to see in this light condition.  Our 1st lock and dam #13 was the complete opposite of our struggle of the day before.  SMOOTH-- PERFECT!!  

Traveled by thousands of pelicans gathered on shore, in the water and gliding in groups above the water.  

Pelicans have a wing span of 9 feet.  It is amazing to see them gliding over the water.  They rarely flap their wings.  We see the all-white pelicans in large flocks heading south.  We saw them as we traveled on the upper Mississippi and then in Florida.  We watch them diving and catching fish.  Beautiful birds!!

Lots and lots of lily pads!

More sightings of dredge working during these drought times...

Fountains of sand!

Piles of sand deposited on the shore.

The lodging quarters for the dredge workers.

Lock and dam #12 at Bellevue, Iowa, was a repeat of the challenging locking of yesterday minus the move to starboard-- we were not happy.  Another challenge we were forgetting:  Weekend Water Warriors were on the water in Full Force (!!), waking us nonstop with every pass. 

Hurray for Dan's steady hand.

Boats enjoying the exposed sand shore during the drought.

Due to the drought, there were long exposed sandy beaches and boaters snuggled up to the shore.  Personal watercraft zooming and some maneuvering like a rodeo rider with 3 aboard.  WILD!!  THE MOST SCARY MOMENT FOR US WAS AS WE NEARED DUBUQUE:  A pontoon boat loaded with people was on our port, another fast boat had just passed on our starboard, THEN, A 36-foot (approx.) boat came FLYING BETWEEN THE PONTOON AND US!!!  ALL ABOARD WERE LAUGHING and WAVING AT US -- SCARY!!  Dan said, “Didn't we learn, in Florida, not to travel on weekends?”  So...Sunday and Monday -- sitting out travel and restoring us -- the humans and the dog.

Dan and Tori sitting out on the dock next to the tug in the Ice Harbor.