Topic starter
09/07/2006 5:44 pm
The MQ is in Dubuque today, Sunday. Yesterday she did indeed run a bit ahead of schedule due to lack of tow traffic. She locked through here, 15, at 6PM and through 14 by 8. I took a crew member to the ER from our lock and so we naturally missed Lock 14. So we went up to 13 and they rejoined the boat at 2AM. At that hour there were at least 10 hardy souls at the lock to watch the proceedings, including .orgers Suzanne and Richard Martinez. Franz, Carmen, and Leonie were NOT on deck for those festivities! I got home at 3AM. Needless to say, I didn't drive up to Dubuque today. I'm sure there will be a report from Dave Tschiggfrie later on those events. Never a dull moment when a steamboat is around!
10/07/2006 2:01 am
The steamboaters from Munich met me this afternoon at the foot of the MQ's stage, and we set off on a "photo op" tour of Dubuque -- looking for vantage points from which to photograph the boat and Dubuque riverfront to maximum advantage. A few of these spots may be included in upcoming revisions of "The Steamboat Traveler," according to Franz. From Julien Dubuque's monument south of town, to Eagle Point Park overlooking Lock and Dam 11 on the north end, our cameras clicked away as Leonie found several pieces of playground equipment to climb on in shaded park areas nearby. Temperatures were in the low 90s today! The tour ended at the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, where our guests were entertained by the river otters, the large assortment of fish, ducks, alligators, turtles, etc. in the aquariums, the stream tables and the displays in the National Rivers Hall of Fame. Capt. Leonie successfully piloted her tow out of Lock 15 and through the bridges in the Quad Cities in the towboat simulator at the Museum. They departed Dubuque at 5:00. Franz and Carmen commented that there are about 20 children aboard this cruise, the most they have ever seen on any of their trips. Tomorrow the Muncheners plan to make the 11:00 luncheon cruise on the JULIA BELLE SWAIN. Since the MQ will probably not arrive in LaCrosse in time for them to board, Bill and Bobbi Steinike from near Stoddard, WI, will pick them up at Lock 8 (Genoa, WI) and deliver them to the landing so they are able to make their first cruise on the JBS. Weather reports here call for severe thunderstorms with high winds upriver in the Prairie du Chien area, so the boat may be in for some rough weather tonight. Hopefully the Steinikes will provide the next installment in the Upper Mississippi logbook of Franz, Carmen and Leonie.
10/07/2006 1:59 pm
Thanks for the report Dave! How well I recall my first visit to Dubuque in the 1970's when you and your wonderful parents gave me the grand tour of the city, including a ride on the incline and a stop for delicious ice cream before returning to the DQ. I'm sure our dear friends from Munich appreciated your guided tour as much as I -- and saw sights and sites they wouldn't otherwise experience! I know they are anxious to finally get to ride the JBS and that local steamboaters are working to make this a reality. As always, people on the river are happy to give! Franz, Carmen and Leonie certainly make every moment count during their visits to the US and we look forward to seeing them here at Louisville again as soon as possible! Happy Steamboating!