1160 Miles Clear to the Gulf of Mexico

[Ysarex]

This morning I walked over the Chain of Rocks bridge in north St. Louis (part of the river trail now). It get's it's name from the rock dam in the river just south of the bridge. What we call the chain of rocks is the last impediment to navigation on the Mississippi -- clear to the Gulf, 1160 miles. This is the most unique feature of the Mississippi. It's headwaters are only 1475 feet above sea level. We put up buildings taller than that. The Mississippi and it's tributaries have always been incredibly navigable. In 1705 a group of French trappers set up camp in what is now west central Indiana. They collected a tremendous haul of animal hides and then built a raft loaded it with their furs and launched it into the Wabash river. 1400 miles later they were in the Gulf loading their furs on a ship bound for England -- staggering. The two towers in the river housed water intake pipes no longer used. And the bridge is unique for it dogleg on the west side. Oly Pen E-PL5 w/14-42mm

 

[Jeff15]

Interesting shots ...

 

[terri]

Wonderful shots. The Mississippi River is amazing, and always has been.

 

[otherprof]

This morning I walked over the Chain of Rocks bridge in north St. Louis (part of the river trail now). It get's it's name from the rock dam in the river just south of the bridge. What we call the chain of rocks is the last impediment to navigation on the Mississippi -- clear to the Gulf, 1160 miles. This is the most unique feature of the Mississippi. It's headwaters are only 1475 feet above sea level. We put up buildings taller than that. The Mississippi and it's tributaries have always been incredibly navigable. In 1705 a group of French trappers set up camp in what is now west central Indiana. They collected a tremendous haul of animal hides and then built a raft loaded it with their furs and launched it into the Wabash river. 1400 miles later they were in the Gulf loading their furs on a ship bound for England -- staggering. The two towers in the river housed water intake pipes no longer used. And the bridge is unique for it dogleg on the west side. Oly Pen E-PL5 w/14-42mm

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Interesting, nice images, particularly the second one! Your explanation and historical background make me want to re-read Mark Twain's "Life on the Mississippi".

 

[jeffashman]

That's a wonderful set of images!

 

[KJ_North]

Some nice different shots