Rocky Top Ramblers

Sunday, July 08, 2018

National Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN

The National Eagle Center is a landmark interpretive center on the banks of the Mississippi River in Wabasha, MN.

The Upper Mississippi River Valley is home to hundreds of bald eagles. Many choose to build their nests in the tall trees along the river valley. Hundreds more bald eagles arrive here in the winter months, as the Mississippi River remains open around Wabasha year round.

We got to meet Angel and hear a good presentation about the life cycle of eagles.

Nationa Eagle Center is home to non-releasable bald and golden eagles

Gold Eagle

Eagles are directly protected under two Federal laws: the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. These laws generally prohibit the possession, use, and sale of eagle feathers and parts as well as a number of other activities

Under the current language of the eagle feather law, individuals of certifiable American Indian ancestry enrolled in a federally recognized tribe are legally authorized to obtain eagle feathers. Unauthorized persons found with an eagle or its parts in their possession can be fined up to $250,000.

Beautiful location on the Mississippi and it's confluence with the Chippewa River.

Wabasha is named after the Mdewakanton Dakota mixed-blood (with Anishinaabe) chiefs Wapi-sha, or red leaf.

Lark Toys in Kellogg, MN

LARK Toys, with over 20,000 sq. ft. to explore, is one of the largest independent specialty toy stores in the country. Voted "Best Toy Store in Minnesota."

Highlights include: hand-carved wooden carousel to ride, LARK-made wooden toys, games and puzzles, quality developmental toys, science and nature, arts and crafts, and a large bookstore

We spent about an hour at Lark Toys. Got to ride the carousel and explore the toy store. We just scratched the surface of things to see at Lark Toys..would have stayed longer, but the tour bus was moving on!

For over a quarter of a century, LARK Toys has offered remarkable toys, most notably their own handmade heirloom wooden toys. With over 20,000 sq. ft. to explore, they are one of the largest family owned & operated specialty toy stores in the country

Lock and Dam 5 Mississippi River

Lock and Dam No. 5 is a lock and dam located near Fountain City, Wisconsin, and Goodview, Minnesota on the Upper Mississippi River around river mile 728.5

The 5th of July started early for us Northern Adventure caravan members. We boarded the tour buses art 8:15 AM and were on our way to eastern MN to see highlights along the Mississippi.

Our first stop was Lock and Dam 5 near Minnesota City, MN. built by the US Army Corp of Engineers.

4th of July Parade in Stewartville, MN 2018

Each year, thousands of spectators from across southeastern Minnesota and beyond line the streets of Stewartville to watch the Stewartville Area Chamber of Commerce's annual Summerfest Parade. This year over 70 units took part including ours from SMART Northern Adventure Caravan.

Our mode of transportation to and in the parade was one of Rochester Tour Companies trolleys.

The trolley picked our SMART group up at the KOA campground and took us about 10 miles to Stewartville to take part in the parade.

We decorated the trolley with banners.

Some of our group walked in front of the trolley during the parade carrying the USA flag and military service flags.

Saturday, July 07, 2018

Soldier Field Memorial Park 4th of July Ceremony and Picnic

This Memorial, conceived in 1995, was built without tax dollars

due to the time, talent and treasure contributed by the Memorial Committee and the countless other volunteers who also contributed to honor those who served.