Mississippi blog from Dubuque IAWhile Katharine spent the day getting free lunch and talking to city planners, I spent my day exploring what, exactly, all those city planners have spent all their time planning. Namely, the America’s River project I mentioned earlier today.

I toured the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium with Teri Goodmann, the director of national advancement for the museum and, as it happens, a fairly knowledgeable Mississippi River fish enthusiast. (Did you know there are hugemongous catfish and sturgeon lurking in the muddy waters of the Mississip?)

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Then, I climbed aboard the William M. Black, a 1934 steamboat that’s nearly the size of a football field and is now a National Landmark and a B&B (and also, I swear, haunted). I even reached my hand into the river — and then quickly withdrew it, remembering those huge catfish and their curious whiskers.

The evening came to a close as Katharine and I dined at a once-condemned brewery that has been renovated into a winery and restaurant. More on all this to come. Tomorrow, fingers crossed, we’ll hit the casino.

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America's River overview map