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Mule Ramble Week 9 in Photos

Published June 16, 2019

I, Bernie Harberts, did not use generative AI to write or illustrate this article. Spell check and grammar check, yes. AI, no.

Call this the Big City week. The mules spent the past 4 days resting up on the outskirts of Quincy, Illinois. Thanks Todd and Julie Curry for giving the mules and me a place to catch our breaths! I thought you’d enjoy a few photos of my time in Gem City.

Quincy, Illinois skyline with the Bayview Bridge in the background
Quincy, Illinois. Population +-40,000. Plus this week, 2 transient mules and a dude from North Carolina. In the background, the Bayview Bridge. It is one of 2 bridges that cross the Mississippi river from Quincy in to Missouri.
Historic downtown architecture in Quincy, Illinois
Quincy prospered as a river town. The downtown features some of the most striking architecture I’ve encountered on my mule ramble.
Fluted cast iron column in downtown Quincy, Illinois
Fluted, cast iron column.
1970s era architecture in downtown Quincy, Illinois
Okay, some 1970s(?) era architecture has crept in to downtown. In some strange way, it works for me. Sorta groovy.

A bridge brought me to Quincy. Specifically the Bayview bridge that crosses the Mississippi River, connecting Illinois with Missouri. It’s my ticket across Ol’ Man River.

No, I don’t plan to ride Cracker and Brick across the bridge. It’s too early to tell you exactly how I’ll cross the Mississippi but I’ll tell you I have a solid lead on a trailer ride lined up. I’ll let you know how that goes.

Memorial Bridge and Bayview Bridge crossing the Mississippi River at Quincy, Illinois
Quincy’s bridges: the one on the left is the Memorial Bridge. It opened in 1930. The Bayview Bridge, on the right, was built in the late 1980s.

Down by the River

As I’ve written before, the mid-West has suffered extensive flooding this summer. You seemingly can’t go anywhere, talk to any farmer, drink a beer in any bar, without overhearing how the rising waters have affected folks. In Quincy, this year’s flooding (2019) rivaled the Flood of 1993.

While in town, I walked down to the Old Man river’s edge for a look. Here’s what I found.

Mississippi River flood water above normal levels at Quincy, Illinois
Though the water has gone down in recent days, it’s still way above normal levels. Here, some info plaques whose info suddenly seems less fascinating.
Sand bags along the flooded Mississippi River waterfront in Quincy, Illinois
Sand bags.
The tug Ronald E Wagenblast pushing up the flooded Mississippi River
The tug Ronald E Wagenblast pushing up river. Most barge traffic has largely ceased due to flooding. The red object behind the tug is a barge moored to the shore.
Flooded restaurant or building along the Mississippi River in Quincy, Illinois
You might want to wear your waders if you have a reservation.
Mooring cleat with the Bayview Bridge in the background at Quincy, Illinois
Mooring cleat. The Bayview bridge dominates the scenery, inadvertently making its way in to many of my photos.
A boat dock tipped up by Mississippi River flooding in Quincy, Illinois
A boat dock tipped up by the flooding. You might want to swing by another day with your Bayliner.
Another flooded building along the Mississippi River in Quincy, Illinois
Another flooded building.

The water front was eerily quiet with almost no one around except a lone fisherman and some geese.

A lone fisherman fishing for catfish near the Bayview Bridge in Quincy, Illinois
A lone fisherman. Behind him, the Bayview bridge. He was fishing for catfish.
A Canada goose on a closed road in flooded Quincy, Illinois
Lawbreaker: just because the road is closed doesn’t mean there’s no traffic. Here, a Canada goose seemingly flaunts the law.
A dog walking its owner along the Mississippi River in Quincy, Illinois
Flood or no flood, life goes on. Dogs always need to take their owners out for a spin.

Okay, I should post at least one mule photo. Here it is. Mules Brick and Cracker tipped nose down in their pasture. This is as close as I could get before they split out on me. They were clearly ready for a break.

The mules and I plan to start heading across Missouri this week. I’ll let you know how we end up crossing the Mississippi.

Mules Brick and Cracker resting without halters in their Quincy, Illinois pasture
Notice how I’ve removed Brick and Cracker’s halter. I do this to reduce the chance of them getting caught on something like a fence or branch. I might have a bit of a struggle getting them to stick their noses back in to their halters when it’s time to leave.

More adventures by horse and mule: Travel by Horse and Mule.

More on the North Carolina to Idaho ride.

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4 Responses to Mule Ramble Week 9 in Photos

  • Julie Curry on June 22, 2019 at 11:01 am

    Bernie,
    Todd and I and our boys truly enjoyed the time we got to spend with you hearing about your travels and in turn becoming part of your story. We will be following your story and Lord willing will meet again some day. Best wishes to you and Julia, Brick and Cracker!!
    ps: You have now become part of our lunch time prayer with the daycare.
    God bless!
    The Curry’s

    Reply
    • Bernie on June 22, 2019 at 4:35 pm

      Dear Julie,
      Wonderful hearing from you. The 4 days the mules and I got to spend with your family in Quincy really was one of the highlights of the trip. The mules got a well deserved break and I really enjoyed hanging out with you and Todd, the horses and the kids. It’s so nice to know you’re keeping us in your thoughts at the daycare. Please say hi to everyone for me and give Todd a big “see you later” from me!
      Bernie

      Reply
  • Julie Curry on June 22, 2019 at 10:55 am

    Bernie,
    Todd and I and our boys truly enjoyed the time we got to spend with you hearing about your travels and in turn becoming part of your story. We will be following your story and Lord willing we will meet again some day. Best wishes to you and Julia, Brick and Cracker!! FYI: You have now become part of our lunch time prayer with the daycare. God bless!

    Reply
  • Christian Harberts on June 17, 2019 at 2:37 am

    Wonder if the up-ended dock has a submerged Bayliner tied to it?

    Reply

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