Today did not work out as successfully as I had hoped but was still enjoyable. I awoke to the sound of thunder and knew that the weather forecast was for scattered thunderstorms throughout the day but I had not expected the strong storms that I encountered.

The first casualty was a possible trip to Effigy Mounds National Monument which is just across the Mississippi from Prairie du Chien. I was not blown away by the idea of visiting but thought that, since I was in the area and the main monument trail included views of the river, it could be worthwhile. However, the trail is two miles long and it was pouring with rain so I let that idea go.

Once the rain had stopped I left Prairie du Chien to drive north along Great River Road which is a scenic byway that runs alongside the river for its full length. The Wisconsin section has good views of the river from the road and, supposedly, two of the best overlooks anywhere along the river. As I drove north I could see the river almost constantly from the road and today’s video has several good views, albeit without sunshine. The first overlook I planned to visit is at Grandad’s Bluff in La Crosse and, as I approached the town, there was a break in the weather and I was optimistic. However, as I got to the viewing area some gentle rain started falling and I could hear thunder in the distance. To be honest, I was somewhat disappointed by the view. Although it is very expansive the bluff is a long way from the main channel of the river and the bulk of the view consists of back-channels and the town itself.

As soon as I left La Crosse an incredibly strong sequence of thunderstorms hit me as I made my way north to “probably the best view of the Mississippi river” in Alma, Wisconsin. In the video you can see some lightning strikes and also hear the rain and hail striking the car as I approached Alma. Clearly, there was no point is stopping at the viewpoint and so I continued to my final point of interest, the National Eagle Center just across the river in Wabasha, Minnesota.

Unlike areas north and south, the river near Wabasha does not freeze and is a place where large numbers of eagles are seen every winter. The National Eagle Center is a small museum and education center focusing on eagles and the nearby environment that also keeps a small number of eagles (four at the moment) that are  injured and could not fend for themselves in the wild. You are able to get close to the eagles with no barrier in between. The center is also right on the river and, by that time, the skies had brightened and I was able to get a few photos.

I then drove on to Rochester, Minnesota for the night. The map/video of the wonderful scenery and horrible weather is here.

Donald, a golden eagle, is at the National Eagle Center because his wing was broken when he was hit by a car.

This is Angel, one of two American Bald Eagles at the center.

And this is a view of the river from the center.