On August 3, 2012, River Citizens from Iowa and Illinois joined 1 Mississippi for a Mississippi Explorer Cruise. The pontoon boat left from Chestnut Mountain Resort in Galena, IL and took guests into the backwaters of the Mississippi. Attendees enjoyed the beautiful sunshine, birds, and bluffs along the Mississippi. With Ric Zarwell from Lansing, IA, as their guide, the River Citizens learned about the Mississippi’s ecological significance as well as plant and animal species that call the River “home,” Humming birds, blue herons, and beaver dens were just a few of the wildlife highlights on the trip. Jenny Ammon from Dubuque, IA, attended with her three year-old daughter and commented, “This was wonderful. We had a great time and she was so tired on the way home! The boat ride was warm but very informative, and the scenery at Chestnut was outstanding.”
In our busy lives, it is easy to become side-tracked and overlook the beauty and serenity of nature. The Mississippi Explorer Cruise was a great opportunity to relax in the company of other outdoor enthusiasts. Seeing the wildlife and beautiful scenery along the Mississippi reaffirms that River Citizens’ simple actions to clean-up and protect the River are worth the time.