FINAL DAY IN CLUCKTON

Eunice and I got up early so we could take in more of the sites. We went for a tour of the Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower to see the confluence of the Mississippi (now renamed as the Mississeggi)and Missouri(renamed Misseggi)Rivers from platforms at 50, 100 and 150 feet. There was history of Hartford, the Industrial Revolution, Lewis & Clark and the scenic byway.

All of that climbing...what?...there was an elevator? Eunice, why didn't you say so! Is that what Suzanne was talking about?

Lunchtime! Back to the downtown area at a cute little place called State Street Market. Part store and part restaurant. Had the Mushroom/Asparagus soup and skipped the Chicken Panini.

Continuing with the tour, we took in another history tour. This time it was the Lincoln & Civil War Legacy Trail. Among the places we went to were the Lincoln-Douglas Square and Lovejoy Monument.

There was also a monument devoted to a guy named Robert Wadlow, the tallest man in history at a height of 8 feet and 11.1 inches. We even tried to sit on a replica of a chair that was made for him.

After a long day it was time for dinner at restaurant called Mississippi Half Step where we met chef and owner Jim Newton. This time we had a really juicy steak with a baked sweet potato and asparagus. Asparagus was in season.

Nighty nite. We'll be on our way to St. Louis, Missouri tomorrow to rename it.

CLUCKTON ILLHENOIS

Eunice and I set out to discover another city and state. This time we renamed Alton, Illinois as Cluckton, Illhenois. After checking in at the Holiday Inn (great atrium lobby) we were off to have lunch at My Just Desserts in the downtown area.

We were not happy to hear that one of their best sellers is a chicken salad sandwich but loved the decor.

What better place to view any possible relatives than the Riverlands Migratory Bird Sanctuary. We crossed the Clark Bridge and Patty Hagen showed us around. We observed but it really wasn't the season for bird watching. The building that we were in was new. Perhaps we will come back there and pose for the humans.

It seems that Cluckton has a reputation for hauntings. We're not afraid of ghosts. We stopped by the remains of the "Alton" Prison and heard tales.

Time for dinner at Gentelin's on Broadway. We had a bowl of smoked pork and wild rice soup. Tasty!

Resting up for tomorrow.

ANOTHER DAY IN THE QUAD CITIES

It's time to get some culture as Esther and I go off to the German American Heritage Center in Davenport. It was all about the Germans who came to the United States around World War II and settled in Davenport. There was a lot to see and at one point we needed to take a nap.

Next was the Bucktown Center for the Arts in Davenport. We met some of the artists and that was so kewl!



Lunch was at this awesome restaurant called the Crane and Pelican Cafe in LeClaire. We took photos with Merle and her wonderful friend Melody. We met Amanda Harvey, the owner and checked out the Gyro and Asian slaw from the menu.

We later went on to the Buffalo Bill Museum in LeClaire.

QUAD CITIES RULE!

Eunice and I went to an area called the Quad Cities. It's two cities in Iowa...but really three: Davenport, Bettendorf and LeClaire; Moline and Rock Island in Illinois. The cities are located along the Mississippi River at the one place that spans East-West. We first met the pilots on Air Tran. One of us was taught to fly while the other was looking in the window.

We were going to have lunch at a restaurant in Moline called Cafe Fresh but it appeared that chicken salad was ordered by mistake. One particular item on the menu that they are known for is when they take a kosher pickle spear and wrap it in cream cheese and ham.

After checking out information on Iowa's same sex marriage ceremonies and receptions, we were off to dinner at Johnny's Italian Steakhouse, also in Moline. It was near the John Deere Pavilion...vs the Dear John Pavilion...ha ha.

We got to meet the chef. No chicken for us here! We had this brochetta appetizer with goat cheese and shrimp. For dessert there was this delicious chocolate mousse!