Muscatine, Iowa remains a favorite city of mine.
But before we get there, we need to hang a left at this gas station and visit the swinging bridge.
It is an interesting bridge.
After all these years it still looks reasonably safe!
It looks well constructed.
Kids have a lot of fun bouncing on the bridge.
A new stop this year was the Muscatine History and Industry Center to see the fabled
Button Museum
Muscatine was the Pear Button Capitol of the world.
Button factory mural in downtown Muscatine.
Buttons were drilled out from oyster shells.
Early button drilling machine.
I never would have thought buttons were such a big deal. If however, the zipper hadn't yet
been invented.....
How about that! An early Lathe!
Pearl Buttons were in high demand.
And of course the unions stepped in at one point..
Button blanks
Boxes of buttons.
Pearl Oysters from one month to one year old.
Button memorabilia
There are literally thousands of buttons on site. The museum is worth a visit and it's free!
Donations however, are gratefully accepted.
Downtown Muscatine looks a bit nicer than the last time I was here.
I like these older banks.
An interesting way to provide your own personal shade.
Downtown Muscatine does have one new notable addition.
The Mark Twain Overlook is well worth spending a few minutes at.
It provides a nice view of the river..........
Big hairy rats,
and Downtown.
The river park was kind of cool, cloudy and windy this time around.
Oyster Rakes
I think the flooding this year (2011) is going to pale in comparison to the 1993 flood.
The 2009 Mont Pellier Cab was an excellent wine and a nice way to finish the day.
