Wes Modes
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California Artist Launches Tennessee River Expedition on Homemade Shantyboat
Artist raising funds for journey to collect stories of river people. A rustic recreated 1940s shantyboat, a daring river voyage, and a meticulous archive of river stories are all part of a multi-year art and history project, A Secret History of American River People. Santa Cruz artist Wes Modes is fundraising for this year’s expedition…
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Fundraising for the Tennessee River
I’m excited to tell you that the Secret History project is headed for the American South on the Tennessee River! After two years on the Upper Misssissippi, we’re headed to Knoxville, Tennessee where we have several exhibitions planned. We’ll be on the river for two months ending in Paducah, Kentucky after traveling through Tennessee, Alabama,…
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Secret History of American River People project at the R.Blitzer gallery. Opening reception Friday
Secret History of American River People project at the R.Blitzer gallery. Opening reception Friday. #shantyboat #SecretHistory via Instagram
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Secret History exhibition at the Blitzer Gallery opening reception Friday. #shantyboat #SecretHistory #SantaCruz
Secret History exhibition at the Blitzer Gallery opening reception Friday. #shantyboat #SecretHistory #SantaCruz via Instagram
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Secret History exhibition at the Blitzer Gallery opening reception Friday
Secret History exhibition at the Blitzer Gallery opening reception Friday. #shantyboat #SecretHistory #SantaCruz via Instagram
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Secret History #Shantyboat at Roaring Camp, Felton.
Secret History #Shantyboat at Roaring Camp, Felton. via Instagram
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OMG OMG How I love maps
OMG OMG How I love maps. Preparing for life on the #TennesseeRiver from #Knoxville to #Paducah. #Shantyboat #SecretHistory via Instagram
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UCSC: LASER talk to spotlight research on pumas, filmmaking, river people, and ancient DNA
Over the last few summers, inspired by historical accounts of shantyboaters on the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, he set out on a series of journeys to record the lost histories of river communities. The goal of his project, “A Secret History of American River People,” is to build a collection of personal stories of people…
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This is totally geeky insider info, but i wanted to tell you that the Secret History website has been totally redesigned
This is totally geeky insider info, but i wanted to tell you that the Secret History website has been totally redesigned. Peoplesriverhistory.us #shantyboat #webgeekery via Instagram
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Is this the most gorgeous woodcut ever?
Is this the most gorgeous #woodcut ever? #Art by Jacob Simowitz. #shantyboat #RiverLife #SecretHistory #MississippiRiver #diyboats via Instagram
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Minnesota Post: The 5 standout public art works of 2015
Everything on this list broadly fits into the category of “public art,” at least in terms of each of them being an artistic project you might find walking around the Twin Cities in 2015. It’s not comprehensive, but it’s a short list of things I saw – or, OK, heard about and then saw on…
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Farting Around Muscatine and a Sudden Road Trip
We explore small town Iowa life and take a brief break to head back to Minnesota.
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The Final Fate of the Shantyboat Dotty and a Question
What became of us? What became of the Shantyboat Doty? Did the shantyboat sink? Did Hazel, our ships mate, and I have to swim to shore? Did we have to survive on chestnuts and wild mushrooms on an uncharted island in the middle of a remote part of the Mississippi River?
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Photo by George at Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad
Photo by George at Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad. #Shantyboat via Instagram
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All. The. Things. #Shantyboat #cigar #bourbon #trains #sunshine #porchtime
All. The. Things. #Shantyboat #cigar #bourbon #trains #sunshine #porchtime via Instagram
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Secret History #Shantyboat at Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad, Felton. #SecretHistory #BoatsAndTrains #Railroad
Secret History #Shantyboat at Roaring Camp and Big Trees Railroad, Felton. #SecretHistory #BoatsAndTrains #Railroad via Instagram
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A Secret History of American River People at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History
A Secret History of American River People at the Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History tonight 5-8pm. @santacruzmah @gooddoghazel #Shantyboat #a#Art #BayAreaArt #SocialPracticeArt #River #RiverStreet #DialogicArt #NewMedia #OldMedia #mpls via Instagram
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After a long hard workday
After a long hard workday. #cowboyup #bathwithbourbon #shantyboat #tinytinytub via Instagram
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Apocalyptic dystopia of traffic, potholes, and overcrowding
SO glad to get back to California. Actually, after three months in the Midwest, this pretty much looks like an apocalyptic dystopia of #traffic, #potholes, and #overcrowding #Shantyboat via Instagram
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Stuck in quarantine at the California border
#Shantyboat stuck in #quarantine at the #California border. #zebra mussels #illegalaliens #securetheborders #pressurewash #sendanextractionteam via Instagram
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Zebra Mussel Detention
California agricultural border inspection detaining us to remove zebra mussels on the #shantyboat. #stuckinquarantine #zebramussels #pressurewash #securetheborders #illegalaliens nomusselisillegal via Instagram
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Best BBQ in the Country
James and I at Pat’s BBQ in Salt Lake City #shantyboat in tow. #selfie #bestbbqever via Instagram
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Rise and shine in Winnemucca Nevada
Rise and shine in Winnemucca Nevada #shantyboat in tow. #sunrise #selfie #dogs @gooddoghazel via Instagram
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Shantyboat trailer with new suspension, springs, wheels, and tires
#shantyboat trailer with new suspension, springs, wheels, and tires. #Rollin #ballin via Instagram
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The danger of giving adults crayons at a restaurant.
The danger of giving adults crayons at a restaurant. #shantyboat #midwest #whatisfrozencustard #whatweretheythinking
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The Plan.
The Plan. #shantyboat #travel #roadtrip #crosscountry #optimism #praythewheelsstayon via Instagram
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Shantyboat trailer gets new axels, wheels and tire’s at Omaha’s Predator Trailer
#shantyboat trailer gets new axels, wheels and tire’s at Omaha’s Predator Trailer. #ICallNoDeath #preemptivestrike #preventingflaminghighwaydeath via Instagram
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Results of a terrible two boat collision?
Results of a terrible two boat collision? Bringing both the #shantyboat and Donboat home. #wtf via Instagram
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James near Burlington Iowa
James near Burlington Iowa #moody #likeamovieset #river #mississippiriver #photooftheday #night #mixedlighting #moonlight #shantyboat via Instagram
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The Pearl Button Capital of the World
At the turn of the 20th Century, the Mississippi River town of Muscatine, Iowa was one of the most important places in the world. Not only because here was the worldwide source of nearly 40% of all pearl buttons, but because a conflict was brewing that would have consequences for workers throughout the world.
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Mark Twain’s Favorite View of the River
In Muscatine, Iowa there is a point overlooking the river said to be Mark Twain’s favorite. I never know how much credence to put into such things as people have told me variously that they were at the widest point in the river, the deepest point, the tightest bend, the highest overlooking bluff, and possessing…
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A Land of Sweet Melons and Excellent Tacos
In Muscatine, I met many new friends, received generous gifts, found a river town with a significant Latino population, learned about famous Muscatine Melons, and interviewed the son in-law of the heir to a pearl button fortune.
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#Shantyboat Guys come in tied for third even after a blistering 4th comeback round. #trivia #weknowzerosportsfacts
#Shantyboat Guys come in tied for third even after a blistering 4th comeback round. #trivia #weknowzerosportsfacts via Instagram
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American Queen in Burlington Iowa
American Queen in Burlington #Iowa. #Shantyboat #river #mississippiriver #riverboat #excursion via Instagram
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Shantyboat brethren?
#Shantyboat brethren? A duck blind above Burlington #iowa. #hunting #desthpicable via Instagram
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“If you don’t shape up, I’ll stick my foot so far up your ass you’ll need an operation to get it out.”
Retired Jr High school teacher LaeUna DeWitt from Davenport who we met in Oquawka. She was hilarious and a formutable teacher. Sample: “If you don’t shape up, I’ll stick my foot so far up your ass you’ll need an operation to get it out.” #Shantyboat #scaryteacher #wouldbecomedian #standup via Instagram
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Hazel in historic Oquawka Illinois.
@gooddoghazel in historic Oquawka Illinois. #Shantyboat #surprisemural via Instagram
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Smirky grin from new shipmate James
Smirky grin from new #Shantyboat ships mate @jamesrburgess via Instagram
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Apparently the Shantyboat now has mice. We’re a real ship now.
Apparently the #Shantyboat now has mice. We’re a real ship now. #wherestheshipscat #whybecausewelikeyou #mousecateers via Instagram
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“I think your high speed orifice is going to be an area of interest.”
James; “I think your high speed orifice is going to be an area of interest.” #outboardrepair #diagnostics #gettingwet #Shantyboat via Instagram
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Please welcome new ships mate James Burgess
Please welcome new ships mate James Burgess with the #Shantyboat for the next several weeks. via Instagram
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Started as selfie to show off my new awesome thrift store pants. #selfiefail #selfiesuccess #newpants #Shantyboat #HIG2015
Started as selfie to show off my new awesome thrift store pants. #selfiefail #selfiesuccess #newpants #Shantyboat #HIG2015 via Instagram
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Hand In Glove artist convening in #MPLS at #thesoapfactory. So many artists and arts organizers. #HIG2015 #Shantyboat
Hand In Glove artist convening in #MPLS at #thesoapfactory. So many artists and arts organizers. #HIG2015 #Shantyboat via Instagram
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Iowa farm road. #Shantyboat. #sunset #roadtrip #goldenhour
Iowa farm road. #Shantyboat. #sunset #roadtrip #goldenhour via Instagram
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Gray Man watches the Muscatine Pearl Button paddlewheeler. #shantyboat #sunset #mississippiriver #contemplative #moody #ragdoll #river
Gray Man watches the Muscatine Pearl Button paddlewheeler. #shantyboat #sunset #mississippiriver #contemplative #moody #ragdoll #river via Instagram
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Gray Man enjoys the last rays of the setting sun. #shantyboat #sunset #mississippiriver #contemplative #moody #ragdoll #river
Gray Man enjoys the last rays of the setting sun. #shantyboat #sunset #mississippiriver #contemplative #moody #ragdoll #river via Instagram
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Interview with Terry Eagle at the McKee Button Factory in Muscatine.
Secret History interview with Terry Eagle at the McKee Button Factory in Muscatine. #buttons #shantyboat #history #iowa #riverhistory #mississippiriver
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A world of buttons at Muscatine’s McKee Button Factory. These are the plastic buttons that replaced pearl buttons in the 60s.
A world of buttons at Muscatine’s McKee Button Factory. These are the plastic buttons that replaced pearl buttons in the 60s. #buttons #shantyboat #history #iowa #riverhistory #mississippiriver via Instagram
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Adventures on the Other Side
In which we reveal a possible obsession with bridges to complement our well-known obsession with personal narrative
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Interview with canoe and kayak paddler Jo who grew up in Rock Island between the Rock and Mississippi Rivers
Secret History interview with #canoe and #kayak #paddler Jo who grew up in Rock Island between the Rock and Mississippi Rivers. #history #Shantyboat #oralhistory #riverangel
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Midwest Cultural Envy from a Californian
I arrive in the Quad Cities, towns with traces of their industrial history on every street, still full of life, rusty perhaps but not abandoned.
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The HyVee Grill, something if a Midwest phenomena
The HyVee Grill, something if a #Midwest phenomena. HyVee is the dominant supermarket chain and in many of them they have a very decent diner-style restaurant with decent prices, free wi-fi, and endless #coffee. It is THE place for #seniors to gather each morning in these #smalltowns. #diner #HyVeeGrill #Shantyboat via Instagram
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“What the Button Workers Want”
“What the Button Workers Want”, demands of 1911 button workers’ strike from the Muscatine History and Industry Center. #militia #thugs #scabs #unions #IWW #iowa #labor #kids #history #1911 #Shantyboat via Instagram
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Juvenile Sewers and Carriers Union, 1911 from the Muscatine History and Industry Center
Juvenile Sewers and Carriers Union, 1911 from the Muscatine History and Industry Center. #unions #IWW #iowa #labor #kids #history #1911 #Shantyboat via Instagram
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Pearl buttons at the Muscatine History and Industry Center
Pearl buttons at the Muscatine History and Industry Center. #Shantyboat #history #mussels #buttons via Instagram
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Pearl McGill born near Muscatine in 1895
Pearl McGill born near Muscatine in 1895 (here she is 16), worked in Peark Button Fsctories and became a IWW labor organizer, murdered in 1924. #Shantyboat #labororganizer #iww #wobblies via Instagram
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New Orleans Advocate: Researchers trace Mississippi River, listening and recording every trickle, gurgle and swoosh
Outside Guttenberg, Iowa, they met Wes Modes, who invited them aboard his Shantyboat, a kind of floating cabin built like those historically used by itinerant workers, miners, dockworkers and farmers. Sleeping on the bow, they listened to river sounds while towing the ORB behind, recording through the hydrophone. Occasionally, they docked, allowing random curiosity-seekers to…
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Cruz throws a castnet (“atarraya” in Spanish) for shad to use as bait on the docks near the #Shantyboat.
Cruz throws a castnet (“atarraya” in Spanish) for shad to use as bait on the docks near the #Shantyboat. via Instagram
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Mike and his grandson Gabe stop by for a chat on the #Shantyboat. Mike’s wife Chris is responsible for the care package.
Mike and his grandson Gabe stop by for a chat on the #Shantyboat. Mike’s wife Chris is responsible for the care package. via Instagram
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Care package madness when I returned to the #Shantyboat this afternoon. Thanks to the good folks of Muscatine Iowa
Care package madness when I returned to the #Shantyboat this afternoon. Thanks to the good folks of Muscatine Iowa. #carepackage #anongifts #beautifulstrangers via Instagram
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Seriously, What Have We Learned?
An excerpt from an academic journal in which I attempt to analyze it all
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Muscatine Journal: California artist stops in Muscatine on river odyssey
Wes Modes, Santa Cruz, California, is on the second leg of a trip down the Mississippi River collecting stories of river life and the people who live along the river. His shanty boat has a sleeping loft, small galley kitchen, library, and toilet. He been traveling for nearly three months and is hoping to reach…
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Gray Man contemplates the lights over the river in Muscatine
Gray Man contemplates the lights over the river in Muscatine. #sittingonthedockofthebay #longexposure #contemplative #Shantyboat via Instagram
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Mexican market in Muscatine
Mexican market in Muscatine. #midwest #latino #notallwhitepeople #Shantyboat via Instagram
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#Shantyboat chillin’ in Muscatine under dramatic skies.
#Shantyboat chillin’ in Muscatine under dramatic skies. via Instagram
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Reminder: Secret History of American River People summer fieldwork fundraiser still on. Link in profile. #Shantyboat
Reminder: Secret History of American River People summer fieldwork fundraiser still on. Link in profile. #Shantyboat via Instagram
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Mystery electrical drain on the #Shantyboat. Red means bad, especially after a night of charging.
Mystery electrical drain on the #Shantyboat. Red means bad, especially after a night of charging. via Instagram
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That feeling when you come around a bend and there are two barges passing each other in s narrow channel
Barge madness. That feeling when you come around a bend and there are two barges passing each other in s narrow channel. #largemarge #killerbarge #maritimedisaster #Shantyboat via Instagram
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Shantyboat at Fairport Iowa
#Shantyboat at Fairport Iowa. #latenight #starlight #longexposure via Instagram
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BNSF Crescent Railroad Bridge
BNSF Crescent Railroad Bridge across the Mississippi River between Rock Island IL and Davenport IA. #RR #trains #bridges #river #Shantyboat via Instagram
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BNSF Crescent Railroad Bridge across the Mississippi River
BNSF Crescent Railroad Bridge across the Mississippi River between Rock Island IL and Davenport IA. #RR #trains #bridges #river #Shantyboat via Instagram
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Farmers Market in Davenport Iowa. #Shantyboat
Farmers Market in Davenport Iowa. #Shantyboat via Instagram
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Open Rivers: Knowing the Mississippi
We asked a diverse group of river people to respond to the prompt “How did you come to know the Mississippi River? What does it mean, to you, to know the Mississippi River?” We present below a few of the responses, in no particular order.
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Owner Terry Tilka called the cops when I brought my service dog into the Rock Island Brewing Company
Owner Terry Tilka called the cops when I brought my service dog into the Rock Island Brewing Company. He’s not pleased I’m taking his picture for my #ADAlawsuit. #ADA #police #serviceanimal #rockisland #illinois #boycottassholes #Shantyboat via Instagram
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You Won’t Believe what they found when they opened my outboard engine
Though stuck in this small town made famous by the American Pickers, there were interviews, adventures, and surprises.
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@gooddoghazel was a huge hit at Antique Archeology in Le Claire Iowa. #Shantyboat #thepickers #digfriendly
@gooddoghazel was a huge hit at Antique Archeology in Le Claire Iowa. #Shantyboat #thepickers #digfriendly via Instagram
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Facing a New Day of Bad News
In which we discover that things don’t look good, though — since we have a good imagination — we can see that they could always be worse.
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Davenport Farmers Market is extraordinary
Davenport Farmers Market is extraordinary. #Shantyboat via Instagram
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Davenport Iowa, you need some public docks
Davenport Iowa, you need some public docks. #sketchylanding #rivertown #urbaninfrastructure #Shantyboat via Instagram
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Interviewed and spent an enjoyable afternoon with Mary Costello
Interviewed and spent an enjoyable afternoon with Mary Costello author of two volumes of drawings of every bridge crossing the Mississippi River from the gulf to the headwaters.
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Centennial Bridge between Davenport and Rock Island
Centennial Bridge between Davenport and Rock Island. #Shantyboat via Instagram
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Sylvan Island dam, near Moline Illinois. #Shantyboat
Sylvan Island dam, near Moline Illinois. #Shantyboat via Instagram
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Feeling a little lost in the Quad Cities. So much here. Where should I go? Who should I talk to?
Feeling a little lost in the Quad Cities. So much here. Where should I go? Who should I talk to? #Shantyboat via Instagram