More Adventures from Da'Nyah's Flat Stanley

Mar 23

Hello from northern Illinois and Wisconsin:  This is D'Nyah's Stanley visiting with Brendan's grandparents.

 On Thursday we traveled from Illinois up into Wisconsin where Granny had to see a doctor in LaCrosse to be checked for allergies.  There's a lot more snow up in Wisconsin.  We drove along the Mississippi River. It is a very long river that runs 2,530 miles from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. It is the largest river in the United States and when there is no ice on it, big barges carry coal and farm grains north and south on the river.   There are many locks and dams along the northern part of the river to help boats navigate the differing levels of water.  But right now there is still a lot of ice on the river up here.  

Ice Fishing

Some places the ice was so thick they drove trucks out on the river as you can see in the pictures. Where the river ices over men and women like to fish.  They go out on the ice, sometimes taking a little tent, drill a hole in the ice to put their fishing lines down below into the water. We talked to some people who told us they catch Blue Gill, Croppie and Great Northern fish, some as long as 18" or more. The ice was 12-15" thick where we saw them fishing.  Other places it was clear water. It was really neat. 

We also saw some Eagles which live along the river high in the trees.  They swoop down to open water and catch fish to eat.  We were able to get a picture of one eagle. They are huge!

In LaCrosse we saw a statue of an Indian, Hiawatha. It was carved out of wood and very tall.  You can see me with Granddad standing near it. 

Granny getting her allergy tests

Then we went to see Dr Mary.  Granny has breathing problems so the doctor was testing her to see what she is allergic to.  They put lots of needles up and down her arm.  I didn't want to look.  Granny is allergic to ragweed, dust mites and mold.  The doctor gave her some drops.  Dr Mary was very nice and liked hearing my story of how I became flat and why I am visiting Granny and Granddad.  We stayed overnight in a motel because it is a long drive up there.