Keokuk to Nauvoo (or Along River Road)

The day we first drove to Nauvoo, Dave commented that we'd probably get very used to driving along River Road (that's our name for it--it sounds much more appealing than highway whatever-it-is). He was right. That path takes us into Keokuk for shopping, to Hamilton for our favorite Mexican restaurant, to church when the Fort Madison Bridge is closed, and to other towns like Carthage and Quincy.

There's a dam across the river between Keokuk and Hamilton. The bridge for car traffic to cross the river isn't over the dam but several hundred yards downstream and is tall enough they don't have to shut down traffic for barges to pass under it like the one at Fort Madison. The dam generates some hydroelectricity, but not the massive amounts like they do at Glen Canyon Dam. Because they had to accommodate river traffic--mostly barges, but also the occasional river boat at certain seasons of the year--they put in a lock.

Elder James Walker, one of the temple missionaries, arranged to ride through the lock on a barge.

 Here is one of the old dam turbines (in use for over 100 years) they pulled out and replaced a few years ago.

A fun tradition we first saw in Russia was when a couple got married, they went to a bridge in town and put a lock on the fence, then threw the key in the river. The idea behind that was if they ever wanted to divorce, they first had to find the key and remove the lock. Since the river had likely washed the key downstream, it would be easier to work on the marriage than find the key. We've started seeing that in places in the US, like on this fence by the Keokuk lock, but a combination lock just doesn't have the same feel as a key lock.

This huge house and estate--yes, that's all one home--has a beautiful view overlooking the river. We've asked about it because we've only seen a car there once. The gates are almost always open. Rumors abound: It's a rich guy's "cottage;" someone bought it and gave it to his mistress with the caveat that she couldn't gain even one pound--it appears empty most of the time, so, like most of us, she must have lost that battle; it rents out as an Airbnb for $10,000 a night--too pricey for most people. Whatever the real story is, it's a beautiful house.

Several of the regular homes along the east side of River Road are up on the bluff, have huge front lawns, and amazing views of the Mississippi River. However, getting up the long driveways after an ice storm goes through does not sound appealing to us. 

There are lots of turnoffs for picnic spots along the river and a few other places, like David's Chamber, but we seldom see them used. Too bad. We can picture families in the past seeking out a cooler place to hang out before the days of air conditioning.

One thing we expected to see was more activity on the river. There have been the occasional small fishing boats near the shore, but no water sports--no jet skis, water skiing/surfing or even pleasure boats of any kind. Just barges. Lots and lots of barges.

This Airbnb house is called the Hafling House. It isn't along the River Road, but a short distance away. It's built into the hill behind it. Fun idea, but it doesn't look like there's much privacy inside. The owner traveled to New Zealand to check out the Hobbit house there, trying to make it as authentic as possible.

We're still surprised at how the lotus plants have taken over the river banks and into the water. They grow more all the time.

Water is the most common sight along River Road, of course, The Mississippi River as well as many streams feeding into it. In addition to the water, the next most common sight is geese. Everywhere!