If you drive down the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi on the Great River Road, you pass through small towns full of personality. First, they’re on a famous and well-traveled river. Second, they often offer interesting places to eat and stores you can’t help wanting to explore.
In my next book, Three of Swords (being released Sep 1), Gray Vecello and Cooper Key take a trip downriver starting in Red Wing, MN, where their houseboat is slipped. A little south of there, on the WI side, is the town of Alma. Lock and Dam Four is located there. This video is on the dry side but gives you a brief overview and look at how the river system works. It’s running length is a short 1:33.
Alma offers wonderful places to eat and stay, and you can watch the boats “lock through” from the observation deck.
This is an HDR of one of Alma’s popular shops. I love the colors! They scream, “Come on in and empty your pockets!” I chose HDR (yup, camera on a tripod and I had to wait for a lull in traffic) to make sure I got the plants inside the display windows. A standard shot would have darkened them to mere shadows.
I love driving down the Great River Road. I only wish I had time to do it more often, and money to enjoy it more thoroughly. 
I usually stay on the MN side. I’ll have to plan a road trip one day and check out the WI side since I haven’t been that way in years. That’s a beautiful picture and the colors really pop out. Make sure you plan a trip for the fall colors. Head along the north shore of MN or WI or along the river roads and you should get some great shots.
I’m looking forward to fall. However, not looking forward to winter… I’ve heard it can be rough here.
Yes it can be rough but also very beautiful. Last year it was not bad. The year before it was a long winter with lots of snow and cold. You’ll have to go back and retake some of your pictures in the winter with the snow on the ground. The house that you turned into a Halloween house will look so barren with no leaves on the trees and snow on the ground. Your pictures of the fences will look totally different. Go snowshoeing in the woods and check out the animal tracks and the way the snow sparkles on a bright sunny day. Check out some of the creeks where water has frozen and some water is still running. As beautiful as your summer pictures are you will get some beautiful winter ones.