Our first stop this year was on Grandad Bluff in La Crosse, Wisconsin.  It is has a steep, winding road to the top, from where you can view the greater part of La Crosse.  We always try to visit here while in the area, and this is the first time in a long time that I had a nearly clear day for good photos.  One thing I would like to point out is the new shelter house.  The last time we were here, I do not believe that this particular shelter was standing.  It looks like a great place to hold a small gathering and there are two wonderful looking fireplaces available. 

Visiting this lock and dam gave me a bit of déjà vu.  Beside the large power plant just south of this lock, it is the identical twin of Lock and Dam Number 9 located in Prairie du Chien.  It was also interesting to watch them open and close the lock at either end without having to raise or lower the water level.  The water level of the river was extremely high this year and most dams had the rollers out of the water, allowing the river to flow faster, and hopefully drain faster.   

We always enjoy a trip to Lake City, Minnesota along the western shores of Lake Pepin.  It is amazing to see how wide the Mississippi River opens up, and it is always fun to watch the boats sailing out on the lake.  As I mentioned earlier, the river is up quite a bit this year.  You can see it in the pictures of the steps that disappear into the lake.  We assumed that under normal river conditions that the steps go down to a beach, but it was hard to tell if it was just a walking beach, or if people were allowed to swim there as well.   

Sammy was not quite sure what to make of all of the water.  Of course, we still do not know how much he would like it if we took him swimming.  That will be an adventure for another time. 

The last two pictures in this series are from different sides of the lake.  The one on the left is looking across the lake to the east, and the one on the right looks to the west.  I would like to point out that the photos were not taken directly across from one another.  The one on the right was taken a little further up river. 

Back at Lock and Dam number 6 in the first three photos.  The Army Corps of Engineers had some extra equipment this year as they were performing work around the locks.

The next five photos show how high the water was at this time of year around Lock and Dam 6.  The boat landing was completely underwater and you can see where the landing actually is by where the docks are sticking out of the water near the center of the photos.

The first three photos in the last row are of a sunken house boat that had lost engine power, gone over the roller at Lock and Dam number 7, and eventually sunk a month or so earlier.  Eleven people were on board and thankfully all were able to get off safely.  Of course, fishermen are a determined bunch, and you can see a couple of them in the last picture.  Not even high water over what is normally a picnic platform will prevent them from fishing.