There has been a lot of news lately about the possibility of closing Gitmo and moving prisoners to an unused state prison about 40 miles north of here.  It is located just north of Thomson IL and is a testament to IL politics.  High security prison, never fully opened.  The jail is already high security;  it would be sold to the feds and beefed up even more.  It could bring over 2000 jobs to the area.  The closest bridges over the river are the two in Clinton IA.   I have read a lot in the national press that makes us sound like a sad bunch of local yocals… sad little town.  That is just not true.

 http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/16/us/16gitmo.html?_r=1

Kim out on the front lawn with her John Deere and Cyclone Rake.  River is in the background.

The backyard as seen from the deck above.

I am going to have to shovel this deck with a snow shovel.

But we can see the Mississippi River from our deck and living room again.

Check out this local story on the Burger Boat that docks in Party cove, also known as the Leclaire Canal:

http://www.qctimes.com/lifestyles/recreation/water-activities/article_2a481e84-bf32-11de-9a3b-001cc4c03286.html

Here is our old buddy from Canal Shore Drive, taken last week:

Barges are still running:

Taken from our friends Martha and Kris’ yard:

I wonder why that section on the Illinois side is cleared of trees and brush and planted with grass.  No crops planted either which is how we usually fill up vacant rural land in Illinois and Iowa.

MARCUS THE CARCASS

Come visit our many fine merchants this weekend, and do some shopping and just hanging out:

http://www.visitleclaire.com/LeEvents.html

A Q @ A on the I-80 bridge repairs:

http://www.qctimes.com/news/local/article_f9c2d9dc-ae35-11de-99ae-001cc4c03286.html