Red Wing & Hastings, MN

Sunday, August 27, 2023

For this entry of the blog we tried something new. We have trialed making a short YouTube video that combines color video with B&W photography of the places we visit. Click on the image above to open the video in YouTube in a new window. The photographs can still be viewed individually below.

Today was an absolutely beautiful summer day in the mid-70’s and we took a ride to visit Lock & Dams #2 and #3. We started here in Red Wing, MN at Lock & Dam #3.

When we arrived at the locking chamber this tour boat from the Treasure Island Resort and Casino was pulling into the lock. They were headed south after leaving the resort, which is located just north of this lock & dam.
You can see the Red Wing nuclear power plant in the background with what appears to be columns of steam rising into the sky. We can only assume the steam is from the water used to cool the nuclear reactors.

The captain’s bridge as he navigates into lock & Dam #3. He also narrates the tour as he pilots. The lower level of the boat appeared to be a buffet style dining area and everyone was enjoying a brunch on the river.

Here are a series of images looking north toward the nuclear power plant from lock & dam #3. You can really appreciate the steam columns in some of these photos.

I find looking at an active nuclear power plant to be fascinating. I’m rather sure they wouldn’t offer public tours of such a facility, but if they did, I would jump on that opportunity.

This tug was parked adjacent to the main locking chamber. This appears to be one of the tugs they use to help the larger barges navigate into the chamber, especially when the river is running particularly high/fast.

The area around Lock & Dam #3 is a refuge for wildlife and this egret was fishing for an afternoon meal.

Next, we drove up to Hastings and walked from downtown up the river to Lock & Dam #2.

We always enjoy this train bridge over the Mississippi. The middle of the bridge lifts up to allow taller boats and sail boats and barges to pass below. It was down today because there were no tall boats in the vicinity and several trains passed through in the time we were there.

We were lucky enough to catch this locomotive pulling its load southbound down the river.

We enjoyed the juxtaposition of the huge train going over the bridge and the small private boat heading down the river below it.

This appears to be an old factory building along the river, we assume maybe a “brickyard” based upon the BKYD sign on the side. We have watched this over the past several years as it underwent renovations. Now, it is clear this is The Confluence Hotel and it should to be opening soon.

This large steel contraption is where the barges would tie up along the river. This one is now on display along an area of the pedestrian walkway that juts out into the river.

The light was falling strongly upon the opposite bank of the river and made for some interesting contrast in this photo. You can see a northbound train coming into the frame from the left side.

The puffy white clouds were beautiful on this amazing day!

Some images of the locking chamber and dam at Lock & Dam #2.

Using a red filter, the blue sky and white clouds made for some nice contrast in this image of the power lines.

Some fishing from the shore below the dam. The light reflecting on the opposite shore was beautiful.

These structural pieces from an old bridge are now left along the pedestrian walkway as an art exhibit.

I liked the framing of the two bridges in this image. The roadway bridge in the foreground and the railway in the background.

Art along the walkway.