Boating on the Big Mississippi

It's been my dream to go for a boat ride on the Mississippi River ever since we arrived.  My bucket list prayer was answered one evening as we walked down to the river.  Our FM manager and a few employees pulled with his boat at the same time we were there.  He asked if we wanted a ride.  "Yes!" I shouted. with exuberance.  It was just going to be a little spin out and back, but the boat wouldn't start.
After thirty minutes the motor finally fired up, with lots of prodding and the truck battery.  We took off.

Someone said they wanted to go under the Ft. Madison turnstile bridge eight miles away.  We headed north with Jordan's children, Ben Bedard, Barant Hasek and us.   What fun it was to fly over the water making a wake behind us.  It was a perfect evening.   

 We passed a tugboat and barge along the way, several islands in the river and watched the homes on Sycamore Haven Road go by as we headed further north.
 Soon we were at the Ft. Madison Bridge.  We have crossed over it many times, but now we were riding under.  Jordan's children tried to jump high enough to touch the bottom but were too low. 
 As we were coming back the Nauvoo Temple stood out on the hill in Nauvoo like a beacon.  It was difficult to get a clear picture, but beautiful nonetheless.  What an exciting night and ride. 

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