Mississippi River Morning ---

Today is a busy travel day!

I’m being picked up at 9:30am to get to the airport --- I hope I have an easier time getting HOME than I did getting here ----but that’s small potatoes. It’s been a great time here, the memory of my horrendous time getting here is just that --- a memory.

Yesterday was the busy day – but I took time to take a walk down by the river in the early morning – there are bike trails that go all over.

This was the sight that awaited me as I found my way to the bike trails --- the morning mist hung low over the surface of the river, giving it an other-worldy quality ---I love watching the birds, hearing their cries and calls ---

I love reflections in still water!

Further down the river I caught this view looking back at the bridge that crosses to the Iowa side of the MIsssissippi--

There is one little black duck starting to make his way out there --- I watched him for quite a while – his feathers smooth and unruffled, just gliding on the top of the water, but I knew---all the while---that his feet were paddling like crazy beneath the calm surface to get him where he wanted to be.

Life is kind of like that sometimes --- we try to be all smooth and calm on the surface, but inside our hearts are fluttering, our fears are rising their taunting heads.

JUST KEEP PADDLING ON!

The trees are heavy-laden with spring blooms….gentle breezes are carrying all the petals to the ground and scattering them like snow--- within a few days there won’t be blossoms left on this tree. My allergy-afflicted eyes will be happier----but my heart will be sad that the blossom time passed so quickly.

Further down the road I made it to one of several paddle boats --- these do dinner cruises up and down the river. Doesn’t that sound like fun?

Here’s the bigger one, from behind….look at the size of that massive paddle wheel! This always makes me think of that old musical “Show Boat”.

A beautiful public grassy spot for picnicing along the river --- those purple trees are just YUMMY.

I made my way back to the hotel after my walk----grabbed a quick shower, got myself ready and head out to face this:

What was it I said about keeping calm and unruffled on the outside, but paddling like mad underneath the surface? That’s exactly how I feel before getting up to speak in front of 160 people. I hope they had as good of a time as I did ----because this was so fun we did it twice! Once at 1pm, and again at 7!

A special thank you to the quilter who gifted me with this lovely bouquet of lilacs, fresh from her yard! She read on my blog about my love of lilacs and brought them to me --- such a lovely gesture! I brought them back to my room with me and slept with their fragrance filling my dreams ----

And so --- I’m on my way back to North Carolina. Thank you Quad Cities for the warm and friendly welcome, great food, great company, and a very memorable time with the Mississippi Valley Quilters Guild!

((We are working on dates to come back in the future! YEAH!))