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.