Rock Island, IL

It is a Sunday morning in Rock Island and the Visitor Center just welcomed the first visitors of the day.  The River traffic appears to be sparse today with only one Towboat and barges expected.  Sundays seem to be fairly slow recently, with some days experiencing no barge traffic at all.  Each day is different with the River traffic.  Yesterday we watched a steady flow of Towboats (6) with barges from the time we opened at 9:00 a.m. until we closed at 5:00 p.m.  There were over a half dozen recreational boats through the locks as well. And to accompany this traffic we welcomed over 140 visitors for the day.

Last Monday was a slow day, 19 total visitors.  I believe the weather was at fault for that one.

Just a wee bit of rain.  Couldn't see the end of the bridge and Davenport didn't exist. The downpour lasted about 20 minutes.  It was rather gloomy in the Visitor Center with all those dark clouds around.

Each week, during my days off, I drive the 5 or so miles upriver to Port Byron, IL.  Port Byron is a community of about 1650 folks, along the banks of the Mississippi River.  There is a laundromat which I use for my weekly laundry.  And while the wash is washing, I take a walk from the laundromat down to the Mississippi River.  While on the walk, I would walk the couple of blocks to the river front area and then walk along the river.  During one of my walks I found a memorial for the residents of Port Byron to honor those folks from Port Byron who died in service to their country.

The row of crosses closest to me is for the veterans of World War I.  The next row is for the veterans of World War II.  And the back row honors the veterans of Vietnam.  It is an exceptional memorial, neatly manicured, with an unrestricted view of the Mississippi River.

And of course we can't skip the Pork Tenderloin Trail discussion.  This episode's fare includes treats from the Iowa 80 Truck Stop, billed as the World's Largest Truck Stop and a re-visit to the Iowa Machine Shed for a different version of their Pork Tenderloin sandwich.

Our first selection is from the Iowa 80 Truck Stop.

For a pre-breaded, frozen Pork Tenderloin sandwich, this sandwich was quite edible.  Thick and juicy, it was a tasty treat.  I was pleasantly surprised.  The french fries, however, were atrocious.  I had asked for them to be extra crispy, but the kitchen apparently couldn't do two things correctly at the same time.  The cole slaw was tasty but not top of the list. I would call it a draw, not great, not bad.

Next, we sampled the Grilled Pork Tenderloin sandwich from the Iowa Machine Shed in Davenport, Iowa with my sister Anne and her husband, Al.  I had previously eaten a breaded Pork Tenderloin sandwich at the Machine Shed.  It was splendidly wonderful and easily in the running for the #2 or #3 spot behind Morg's Diner in Waterloo, IA.  But this version of the Pork Tenderloin sandwich was seriously lacking in appeal. 

While the chunky applesauce and the cole slaw were as tasty as the first visit, the grilled Pork Tenderloin was tough and gristly.  It was not a pleasant experience.  The sweet potato fries were splendid and extra crispy.

And so it goes, the continuous search for the perfect Pork Tenderloin sandwich goes on.  The Pork Tenderloin Trail moves ever onward.  I keep hearing about new places to try, new places to sample the fare, new places to be surprised or disappointed.  Have you heard of a new place to try?  Send me a note, make a comment, let me know where to search.

Until next time...a photo taken during a flight from Dallas-Fort Worth to the Quad Cities.

It Has been more than a month....

Rock Island, IL
Mississippi River Visitor Center

I am into my 7th week of working at the Mississippi River Visitor Center at Locks and Dam #15.  The last couple of weeks have been busy.  I have worked 40 hours each week.  Seems like a real job.  I enjoy the work though.  I get to talk with lots of folks during my shifts and, when tours are given, I am often the tour guide, expounding the unique attributes of the Mississippi River, its commercial traffic (barge traffic) and the operations of the Locks and Dams, the bridges across the river, and the interactions of the lock operators, the bridge operators and the boats, commercial and recreational, that ply the river for fun and profit.

The Towboat and barges in these pictures are typically the largest group of barges (tow) on the the Upper Mississippi River (Upper Mississippi River is the section of the river between St. Louis and above St. Paul, MN), 15 barges and the towboat.  The physical dimensions of the lock are 110' wide by 600' long.  Most of the 29 locks on the Upper Mississippi are 110' X 600' but there are 3 locks among those 29 which are 1200' long by 110' wide.  The significance of these dimensions is that in those three 1200' X 110' locks, this 15 barge tow and its towboat can fit entirely into the lock for the locking operation.  All of the rest of the locks on the Upper Mississippi require two locking operations to get the 15 barge tow and its towboat through the locks.  The is also a second set of locks primarily used by recreational boaters.  The smaller lock is 110' X 360'. 

 Locks and Dam #15

The Mississippi River Visitor Center is in the center of the picture, the two story building next to the longer lock.

During off shift hours, I am continuing the search for that elusive Ultimate Pork Tenderloin sandwich.  The Pork Tenderloin Trail is quite convoluted.  I have visited Le Claire, IA, for a taste at "Big Dave & Holly's" for their tenderloin which is dredged through seasoned flour, then through an egg wash and a second dredging of seasoned flour before a tour of the deep fryer.  The sandwich and cole slaw were excellent.  I would rate this sandwich right up there near the top.

Tender, moist, tasty & delicious.  I'd return for another is a flash.  Big Dave & Holly's also prepares them as a grilled sandwich.  Have to try that one also.

Last Saturday evening (5/30), I had dinner with my sister Anne and her husband, Al,at the 11th Street Precinct restaurant in the Village of East Davenport.  The Precinct doesn't bread or batter their Tenderloins but grills them.  While this is a departure from the norm, I don't have a problem examining both versions, Breaded/Battered or Grilled.  The sandwich I selected was a Pork Tenderloin Melt; grilled pork tenderloin with grilled onions and Swiss cheese on grilled marble rye.  It was fabulous.

This one might be the #1 so far, although I am still hankering for one from Morg's Diner in Waterloo, IA.  So many opportunities for Pork Tenderloin sandwiches, so little time.  More next episode.

Comment when you can. Keep in touch.  If you are in the area of the Quad Cities, come visit.  Do the tour of the Lock and Dam.  We give tours to the public every Saturday and Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.  About half the time, I am the tour guide.  Sure would love to see you.