tows

Down By the River

/ Rebecca / 17 Comments

Occasionally, we like to take part of an afternoon and go sit down by the Mississippi River.  We go mainly to watch the towboats pushing the barges …

  • Karen Ann
  • Camille B. Barrett
  • Captain Shelby House
  • Rickey Hughes
  • Brooke McKenzie
  • Capt. Michael D. Collins
  • Christopher Scott
  • Martha Lynn
  • Frank Stegbauer
  • City of Cassville

… and to see the eagles which nest along the river. 

It’s also interesting to observe the flora and fauna along the shoreline.

“Sometimes we’d have the whole river to ourselves for the longest time …” ~Mark Twain

More tows

/ Rebecca / Leave a comment

Crimson Duke
Joe B. Wyatt
Bill Stegbauer
Western
Western passing Bill Stegbauer

Tows spotted along the Mississippi River near Tiptonville, Tennessee

“The first step toward getting somewhere is to decide that you are not going to stay where you are.”  ~Leonardo da Vinci

Tows

/ Rebecca / 3 Comments

Eastern
Cynthia II passing Sally Bromfield
Sally Bromfield
Timothy C. Allen
Jerry Jones
Amy L. Laquay
Viking Queen
Eastern pushing a barge

My husband and I have a favorite spot where we enjoy standing and watching the barges glide slowly and silently along the Mississippi. There’s something mesmerizing about watching the powerful engines of the tows as they seem to effortlessly push their large loads up and down the river.

Sometimes, I can’t help but be taken back in my mind’s eye to far away childhood memories of standing spellbound along the Illinois Central Railroad and feeling the rumble of the large, powerful engines of the freight trains as they glided smoothly along the tracks through our small West Tennessee town. The thrill of waving to the conductor and receiving a wave or hearing a short, loud blast of the engine’s horn.

Yes, there’s something magical about watching the barges go up and down the Mississippi and the memories that they bring to mind. And sometimes, you can’t help but smile and wave and wish them safe travels on their journey.