A View from the Edge: Blogging from A-Z Challenge

Friday, April 12, 2013

"K" is for Keokuk

My husband, Jim, and I traveled this great country of ours for SEVEN years in our RV. We saw many wonderful sights, visited famous and not so famous cities, and wandered through many a National Park. I have blogged through all our travels. I've stumbled upon the "Blogging from A to Z Challenge 2013". I decided to jump on board this crazy train and share with all of you places I have seen in my travels.

Day 11 "Blogging from A-Z Challenge"!

is for Keokuk, Iowa

Keokuk, population under 12,000, is a small town located on the banks of the Mississippi River. It is the southeasternmost tip of Iowa.

We came to discover this town because our friend, Kathy, lives here. We used Keokuk as a stopping point a few times on our travels out West.

The town was named after Chief Keokuk, who was a member of the Sauk tribe and was noted for his policy of cooperation with the U.S. Government in the Black Hawk War of 1832. Popular among his tribe, he used diplomacy to become a leading counselor in the Sauk Assembly. (cited).

Here is a photo of the monument dedicated to Chief Keokuk that is situated in Rand Park. His body is believed to be buried there.

photo credit: internet

Do you collect geodes? Well then, Keokuk is THE place to go! According to their website, "the greatest abundance and variety are found in the outcropping of the Mississippian lower Keokuk bed within a 70 mile radius of the intersection of the Mississippi and Des Moines Rivers.

Visit here for more information on Keokuk geodes.

Another fun thing to do in Keokuk is to watch the steamboats pass through the lock. There is a beautiful observation deck to watch the boats as they approach.

photo credit: Keokuk tourism website

Here comes one now! It's the Mississippi Queen!

Sometimes the ships play calliope music and it can be heard for blocks. Every once in awhile, the people on the boat throw candy to the observers on the deck.