The railroad bridges on the St. Croix operate on a pulley system that lifts an entire section of track straight up to allow tall boats to pass beneath.  In Dubuque and elsewhere, a section of track is on a fulcrum, and the section revolves 90 degrees to allow passage.

To read previous chapters of the River Journal, please click on "Articles & News" at the
top of the page.  To view all photos, please click on "Photo Gallery."  
They are in alphabetical order, not chronological.

We are docked at the City Dock, where the Andiamo Line keeps their large tourist packet paddlewheelrs. Any size transient boat can overnight here for only $20, so this is one cheap stay.  Bob, one of the boat captains with whom we have talked in previous visits, told us many delegates from the Republican convention have taken river rides today, including delegates from Arizona, New Mexico, Delaware and Nevada.  You can spot them downtown, wearing their credentials around their necks.  Bob says they aren’t drinkers – maybe just a little something in their coffee.  Well, it’s only 3:13 right now, so that could be why.

We thought the boat next to us looked familiar; when the owners returned, we knew why.  They are Al and Susan, nice folks that we met last year at the Red Wing marina.  Their daughter was 3 weeks old then, so it was fun to see them again with their darling baby.

This morning we walked to Starbucks for lattes and something to munch on.  It is located in a mall with many specialty shops, which were fun to poke around in.  We walked the length of the main street, stopping in at some of our favorite shops and galleries.  I resisted buying some unique silk tops at a Tibetan shop – they would look great with jeans, but like most of us women, I have tops I hardly ever wear now.  So, will power!

We’re waiting for some friends who live in this area.  We met Chris and Randy in Lansing a few years ago, and were immediately attracted to their wild and crazy ways.  She went through a bout of cancer last year, bless her heart.  But that didn’t keep them from meeting up with us in Lansing last July.  They are also friends of Jeff the bartender at the Other Place, and Mark.  We called Mark when we were in Lansing, but he was in Milwaukee at the Harley Anniversary celebration.  He drives a big white Ultra-Classic.

Last night we went downtown looking for a place to have a beer.  Whitey’s turned out to be the place, and I got into a conversation with the lady selling pull-tab lottery tickets for the Stillwater Eagles Aerie 94.  She said the law against smoking in public places is killing her business.  According to her, the bar business has fallen off considerably, and she is considering moving to another state. 

It was recommended we eat at the Lowell Inn tonight, but since our friends are joining us and we’re not sure of their pocketbook, we’re going to opt for someplace less pricey.