Day Two/Three - Hannibal

I've discovered that I'm not very good at blogging at night - the past 2 nights I've either been out late or not feeling well.  So, blogging with coffee is probably going to be my thing.

Thursday, I spent the day exploring Hannibal.  I found a park bench to watch the river go by.  The barges are massive!  I've since read that a 15-barge tow is equivalent to 870 semi trucks.  Very interesting watching them get that under a bridge. The Mississippi seems very calm and not that wide right now I think they've had a bit of a drought.

I made the walk up to the Hannibal Lighthouse 250 steps or something. Unfortunately the trees have grown up so much you really couldn't see the river but interesting view of the town.

Java Jive was the coffee house for today.  Big, airy, super comfy.  I'll be back here for sure.

Lunch at the Mark Twain Brewing Co.  Black bean burger and a blonde ale.  I'm so ready for a nap.    

I drove out to Riverview park for an amazing view of the river and then on to another small park near where I'm staying to stare at trees.

I knew that this adventure was going to make slow down and find a new pace.   I think I'm actually a little bored today...Ugh

 Friday I traveled to Quincy Illinois to take in the sights.  I started at the visitors center and was surprised to find that it was a Moorish castle.

 

 I then went down to Lock to watch one of those massive barges go through.  The lock was only big enough to move 9 barges at once.  So, they put 9 into the system and disconnected them from the boat/ship.  Wait the hour and a half that it takes to get the barges to the other side and then they moved the remaining 6 barges and the boat.  I asked a gentleman if they were generating electricity at the dam by the lock and he said no, not enough drop. Not sure if that is normal or just now with the drought.


Stopped by the Stone Arch bridge in Quincy - it's on 8th street over Curtis Creek. Then down to the river to see a more modern bridge.

I ended by day back at Hannibal touring a farm of a couple I've met.  They have it all; goats, chickens, ducks, a huge garden and more.  They are the parents of my Airbnb host and are also Airbnb hosts.  They seem to really enjoy meeting all the people who stop by their farm.

Back to town for what ends up being an early night.  I felt very unwell and ended up being sick in the night - but all is well today.  I think I ate something that didn't agree.  Being vegan on the road is always such a challenge!!

No real plans for today - I'm going to the farmers market and then see where the day takes me.  I've been walking so much and my calves are killing me!  I think that trip up to the lighthouse did me in...I still need to go up to Lover's Leap but it's even more stairs...Nope!

That's it for now - so far I'm enjoying my stay in Hannibal and I'm finding the bed and breakfast environment very enjoyable  My host here is amazing and I hope I am just as lucky in the future.

Gypsy Jackie