Rollin on the River

This fall color tour organized by our friend Oscar took us to Brownsville Minnesota and an Army Corps of Engineers campground located on the Mississippi river. There was a large group for this trip and we all met at Forest Junction Wisconsin for breakfast and the drive across state to La Crosse where we crossed the river into Minnesota; we made one gas stop along the way and the group stayed together arriving as a caravan that formed a long line at the registration office.

The view of the river from the campground.

It was a warm fall so we had comfortable nights for our campfires but this weather also contributed to a late color season which was not near peak during our visit. We took a drive in the tow vehicles north along the river to Wabasha where we crossed the river to Nelson WI for a stop at the Original Nelson Cheese Factory gift store. We then traveled south along the Wisconsin side of the river to La Crosse where we crossed back to La Crescent.

A waterfall we found along the way.

The highlight of this trip was our excursion on the Mississippi; we rented two boats for the group and set out from La Crosse heading north. Oscar captained the lead boat and we followed with John at the helm of the second boat. The weather was good so we didn’t mind waiting at the locks for the barges to pass through; we ran up on the shore of an island so we could explore on shore or watch the process of breaking up the barge to pass through the lock and then reassemble it on the other side. We then passed through the lock and continued our journey north enjoying the view of the hills and bluffs; eventually the group disembarked at La Crosse and returned the boats after a relaxing and enjoyable day on the river.

Our group on the river.

Entering a lock on the river.

A tour boat on the Mississippi.

Sharing the waterway with the big boats.