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Several people have suggested I post this Decorah, Iowa, Eagle Cam. Chicks have just hatched. Very up close and personal!
Bald Eagle Nest web cam
OK, I love spring because one day (like today) there is a great sense of expectancy… the sun throws long morning shadows, a new bird arrives with every glance out the window (just saw my first starling), they sing in the morning with greater stridency, and the weather is just plain unpredictable.
Well, according to Paul Douglas’s weather blog in Minneapolis, another 12″ snowstorm is predicted for the Tri-State area late next week. Here’s the graphic. Paul’s interpretation follows.
Paul Douglas writes: “Unlike Anything I’ve Ever Seen. This printout is a prediction for total accumulated snowfall between now and midnight, March 19, 2011. Two separate (major) storms: next Wednesday, another very significant snowstorm possible around March 18-19. The GFS prints out a 53″ bullseye over southwestern Minnesota (Windom area), with nearly 30″ for the Twin Cities between these two storms. Good grief. I pray the models are wrong – but I suspect they’re on the right track. I don’t have to tell you what this would mean for our flood potential come April.”
Paul continues, “The models have been surprisingly consistent in printing out over 1″ of liquid precipitation the middle of next week. If the storm tracks across southern Iowa into northern Illinois or southern Wisconsin heavy snow bands may set up directly over southern and central Minnesota and much of northern/western Wisconsin. There is a potential for a foot of heavy, wet snow from this storm. Nothing is guaranteed (except sunrise/sunset), so enjoy the relative peace and tranquility. We’ll probably make up for it next week.”
I remember the Armistice Day Storm, November 11, 1940. We lost several duck hunters that day. I was driving to Iron Creek, where I taught school. I always stopped on the way to pick up some of my schoolchildren.
They were so excited about the search parties going out into the bottoms looking for duck hunters.
The day started out warm and beautiful. Duck hunters and fishermen had gone out only with light jackets or wool shirts. The wind picked up as the barometer dropped. Temperatures fell below zero. The wind-whipped waves capsized many of the boats. Many hunters made it to islands, but could not be rescued until morning. Many died of exposure. No One was dressed for the subzero conditions.
~ Orma grew up in Nelson, Wisconsin
Rich and I have an eye for PASSION. Perhaps the French proprietor who is passionate about country meats and cheeses. Perhaps our Guide who is passionate about sharing his paths in the foothills of the Pyrenees with the traveler. Or the plumber who is passionate about bathtubs and faucets!!! All of these make great stories for travelers and we are grateful for every individual we meet who rises to this passion threshhold.
July found us exploring IRELAND. You are invited to share in our discoveries at http://greatriver.com/waterwaycruises/SHANNON/princess.htm We will share our itinerary and the stories of those passionate people we met along the way, including:
Pat and Ann Halpin are hoteliers. The Aberdeen Lodge provided us a “soft landing”, a “home away from home” in Dublin. Among the cliffs of Kilkee, the Halpin Townhouse Hotel provided the familiar hospitality of complimentary coffee and cookies, PLUS we clearly heard the ocean through the open window of our oceanview room at Kilkee. Here we overlooked the Atlantic just above the mouth of the Shannon River. Pat Halpin works hard to provide notably attentive and hospitable staff, and exceptional amenities for the traveler.
Ruairi Gibbons was a passionate sailor long before he became became Captain of the Shannon Princess. “Offering a hotel cruise on the Shannon River seemed to be my best bet for spending the rest of my life on water!”
Beautiful art prints of Historic Travel Maps, Hand Painted by Map Artist, Lisa Middleton can be viewed in detail by clicking on the map image!
Ruairi has now owned and operated Ireland’s premier overnight hotel barge for some 17 years. Seven years ago, he completely redesigned and appointed a two hundred passenger barge into the 10 passenger hotel barge which today is the only one operating on Ireland’s longest river.
Ruairi’s wife, Olivia Power, joined the team eleven years ago when Rauri advertised for a trained Chef to serve on the Shannon Princess. Olivia was the only applicant. Now nationally recognized, she turned out to be his greatest asset, and yes, his greatest passion!
Finally there is Tom Crean, an “unsung Irish hero” from the days of Scott, Amundsen, and Shackleton. We found his story at the South Pole Inn, in Anascaul, on the Dingle Penninsula.
You will find each of their stories this October in our WATERWAY CRUISE REPORTS and you will find them all in IRELAND.
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We also invite you to enjoy our photos of Ireland and ALL our travels at our Great River photo site.
Imperial Moth in Vernon County, Wisconsin
We’re close to hitting 50 degrees in the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Sandhill cranes, Canada Geese, starlings have all returned. The Mourning Dove is cooing again and the morning is beginning to be vibrant with bird chatter. We’ve heard from the St. Louis area that pelicans are back on their way north. I don’t know that ANYONE appreciates spring like someone who lives up here!
Tundra Swans are beginning to trickle into POOL 8
What a difference a week makes! Just returned from a week near Holcomb, Wisconsin, where all the maples are in full red bloom. When I left La Crosse, it was mid-summer… 80 degrees, bluffs were green and the corn was high.
Upon arriving in Holcomb, just south of Ladysmith, I had the curious experience of viewing fall color, but being taken aback. It took a moment as I absorbed the colorful reflection in the still Chippewa Flowage… “Ah yes! Fall color!”
Upon return to La Crosse, I see the corn leaves have yellowed and there is just a hint of color. Go to our home page, www.greatriver.com to access our FALL COLOR HOTLINE.
Mark Clements just sent us a fishing report from the barge near the Genoa Lock & Dam. For Pix, www.greatriver.com/fishing/fishreport.htm
Fishing has been pretty good the last few days, especially in the morning hours. Afternoons have been slow, but in the morning we are catching walleye, sauger and catfish. A few bluegills but not too many right now. Up on the wall getting some whitebass on jigs or spinners. The walleye and sauger have been small, but several people have been able to get some eaters to take home. Mainly on minnows, or jigs tipped with minnows. Live bait has been the best bet though. Catfish have come in on worms, catfish bait or some live bait for mudcat.