Lesson Re-learned

 Location: Clark's Ferry Corps of Engineers Campground; about 25 minutes downstream of Davenport, Iowa

This is my second time to be in the Davenport area but the first time in this campground. The Davenport, Iowa/Moline, Illinois is a very interesting place to explore. I was here back in July of 2021 and have re-read my post from back then. It was pretty detailed, and I'll let it stand on its own with the link being here (if the link doesn't work search the archive on the right for July 31, 2021). Here's the link >> https://gozatravels.blogspot.com/2021/07/old-bridges-dams-and-pows.html

Northwestern Illinois

 

My campsite. Electric only, on the river's edge. $13.00/night

My view out the back window while sitting at my laptop.

Looking upstream while walking around the campground

I came here for three reasons: 1) the campground looked good on google earth and recreation.gov plus I was able to score a campsite "pert-near" the water's edge. I sure do like being able to be right on the river without a levee in the way. Just for reference's sake, the Mississippi River levee system general begins at Cape Girardeau, Missouri in the southeast corner of the state. I'll actually be camping near there in a few days. They go all the way down to Venice, Louisiana (if interested, I've been there too and if you search for Venice in the search bar of this blog it should come up). 2) and this is where the re-learned lesson comes into play. Last time I was here, I took a riverboat tour of the Davenport area of the Mississippi River. I enjoyed it so much I thought I would repeat it since I would be camped nearby. That was a mistake. I keep re-learning this lesson; Do not try to repeat good things (wow moments) on the road. Chances are they will never live up to the first time and will therefore taint my memory (silent echo) of the event. But the good news is it was only $20.00 for a 1 1/2-hour boat ride. The boat ride was worth it but did get boring in the later half. I've made this mistake a couple of times over the years but forget it sometimes. I think in a way it applies to life in general as well as to traveling spots. 3) I wanted to see the world largest roller gate dam. There isn't a place where you can get a good view of it, but I got as close as I could. In fact, I'll be using a picture of it from my old post since it turned out better.

From the riverboat approaching the I-74 bridges. They were under construction during my last visit four years ago.

 

Two things in this picture. The apparatus right under the deck can move so inspections can be done from underneath and not require a machine sitting on the deck and reaching under. This is just on the main span. 
Also, do you want to know why some bridge are so expensive to build? Notice the "twisted columns" in the background. Yep, they are definitely more expensive and more difficult to build. Somebody wanted a unique design instead of a standard design. 

The Isle of Capri Casino. It looked to be the only large one in the area. 

The world's largest roller gate dam. The water passes under the long red rollers which helps keep the siltation from building up downstream. The black roller, called a skimmer gate, allows debris and ice floes to pass over the top of that roller. There is another black roller on the opposite end of the dam.

I also bought some sweet corn from a large farmers market in Davenport. It wasn't as sweet as the ears I got while attending the RV rally. Microwaving them is the best thing I've found in a while. I tried it at the rally, and it worked great. Easy, no mess. 

Tomorrow is moving day, and I'll be crossing into Missouri to camp at another COE campground. This won't be a repeat campground but will be near the same lake. The weather has been great the last couple of days. Highs in the mid 70's and lows in the lower 50's. In fact, I've had to break out a small space heater to take the chill off in the mornings. It's great.

Ya'll take care of each other. Maybe I'll Cya down the road.