Mosquito Problems?

 Here at Houseboating Excursions in the Mississippi River Valley we experience many seasons that are filled with unpleasant creatures, mainly the pesty mosquito. Everyone knows that they can carry a variety of diseases. The markets are full of different kinds of repellents that are costly and stink and it is not pleasant walking around smelling like a chemical factory. We have learned of another way to help get rid of these bugs and inexpensively too. We learned that the mouthwash Listerine will kill the mosquito and keep it away. The way to use it is to buy a bottle and pour it into a small spray bottle and spray it around the area you wish to occupy, not directly on you. Spray the furniture, around doorways(not on the door), windows, decks, lawns, picnic tables, kids playgrounds, and the dog house. It lasts for several days and is earth friendly too. Another trick to keeping mosquitoes and other bugs away is to put a dryer sheet of Bounce tucked somewhere on you like a belt loop for example, it also works well as a fragrance for storage areas and for keeping mice out of stored boats.
With mosquito season fast approaching give this a try and see the results for yourself and spread the word.
Another product we like to use here at Houseboating Excursions is called Badger, Anti-Bug Balm, it is good for the skin and bad for bugs. It can be spread all over any exposed skin and it works great for repelling flies of all types and for taking the itch out of bug bites you already sustained. We obtain the product at our local food coop store. You can click on the link we provided and it will take you to their web site and you can order it directly from them, they also sell other types of balm that can help with other ailments. We like the product because it works and is also earth friendly and not harmful to kids and pets. Now you are ready for insect biting season.
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High Water is Here

The high water from the melting snow and some recent heavy rains is upon us here in the Upper Mississippi River Valley. Currently we are experiencing a weekend of thunderstorms that have the potential to drop a lot of rain, this is not good news for us boaters here in the Mississippi River Valley. We are approaching that time when we all want to get our boats launched and start a new season. The National Weather Service is predicting for now, that the Mississippi River in Port of La Crosse to hit a level of about 14-15ft. before cresting on April 16 or 17th which means the river levels would stabilize and start to drop, provided the area doesn't get hit with heavy amounts of rain. The flood stage for Port of La Crosse is 12ft. and we need it to get down to around 10ft. or lower to access our marina and to be able to safely launch our houseboat. We posted a photo from an area resident that shows the high water effects at Riverside Park here in Port of La Crosse.

We will have to wait patiently for mother nature to do her best and with a little luck everything will be fine and we will be launching at the end of April.

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Eagles Hatching in Mississippi River Valley

Here in the Upper Mississippi River Valley in Decorah, Iowa area the National Wildlife Federation has placed a web cam to view the hatchings of two bald eagles, we have embeded a video clip from our local TV station to assist us in allowing everyone to see the hatchings from our web site, Check it out.


The National Wildlife Federation also has a live feed for everyone to watch how the eagles are doing in their nest, just click on the  NWF link and it will take you to the site and you can download the live feed to see a real eagle's nest in action. It is a rare opportunity for anyone who loves nature and to see our nation's bird.
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Flood Warnings Are No Threat

It has been all over the news lately that with the melting snow and possible future rains there could be some severe flooding here in the Upper Mississippi River Valley. This is nothing new to all of us that have lived here our whole lives and have established businesses along the Mississippi River. Here in the Upper Mississippi River Valley we take a proactive approach to all possible dangers not a reactive approach, no one waits for it to happen then expect bailout we are ready for it and have taken proper measures. Here in Port of La Crosse,  people and the city are building dikes and making sand bags to stop a possible flood. Residents that live along the Mississippi River and the Black River can purchase already made sand bags for $.25 each, a small price to pay to protect one's property. Some basements do get seepage from the water table in the ground rising but we are prepared with our sump pumps and can handle it.
In Trempealeau, one of our favorite cruise stops, Hungry Point, is right on the Mississippi River and is preparing for a possible flooding by clearing out their lower areas, basement and bait shop, but will not be hindered by a little high water, they will stay open for business because they care about their customers being able to have a great place to go for eats and entertainment. The main road to the bar might go under water but they invite everyone to come any way possible be it by canoe, hip waders, or any means possible. The experience is always fun.
So from all of us here in the Upper Mississippi River Valley to Mother Nature, "BRING IT ON!"
 Please continue to follow Houseboating Excursions in the Mississippi River Valley as we cruise and explore more destinations and provide more information. Please Don't Move Firewood and Help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers.

ICE FISHING ANYONE

What did you catch the last time you went Ice Fishing?

The big one didn't get away this time.

Houseboating Excursions Got Lost

We were down checking up on our houseboat to make sure it was surviving it's winter nap ok when we heard a voice that said climb aboard and make a wish. We are not winter fans so we wished to be somewhere warm again because we miss our summer fun. It was the season of playoff football into the superbowl and our favorite team the Green Bay Packers were in the hunt. We closed our eyes and made a wish and it came true we ended up in Jamaica. We were even blessed with our many houseboating friends joining us on our trip. We started the weekend off with a great football game Superbowl XLV.

After that great celebration it was time to enjoy the warm weather and reminisce about our past houseboating fun and about the future summer. We got together at several different times and here are a few pics of different groups getting together to solve all our problems.

Houseboating Excursions has fun in all parts of the world even if it isn't solely in the Mississippi River Valley.
This article doesn't have any Houseboating adventures but sometimes going off the wall is just as fun.
Please continue to follow Houseboating Excursions in the Mississippi River Valley as we provide more adventures, information,and resources. Please Don't Move Firewood and Help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers.

A New Marina In Mississippi River Valley Proposed

In Port of La Crosse a developer is looking at buying an old, small, falling apart marina on the Black River located on French Island, WI. It's located in a small bay area called Catgut Slough. It's also known as Richmond Bay. It's an ideal habitat area for otters, loons, ducks, and paddlefish. If you don't know what a paddlefish is hit the link it will give you a brief explanation. The existing marina is an 8 acre marina the proposed $1.2 million project is for a marina upgrade to 40 boat slips and a remodel of an existing old diner that would be a nice restaurant and bar. Some of the local residents that live in the area and along the bay are arguing against the marina saying it will disturb the local habitat and bring in pollution from wild boaters. Being life-long boaters we disagree with the assumption of boaters not caring about the habitat and respecting thy neighbor, but like everything there are some exceptions.. We grew up here and have fished and boated this area for over 30 years and we believe this new marina would help the local economic area and provide more boating opportunities. The developer has been in the marina industry for over 30 years and is listening to all the residents concerns and has made adjustments to his plans to accommodate them so there isn't a lot of boat traffic deep in the bay where the residents live. The DNR has 30 days to make a decision and then either side can appeal it within 30 days.  So far the DNR is saying that the developer has gone above and beyond to try to make sure the marina will be nice looking and will cater to the people who respect the river and will come in and enjoy it peacefully and respectfully. The developer also plans to follow specific management practices to become a certified Wisconsin Clean Marina, with sanitation systems to prevent dumping and circulators to mix the waters and add oxygen.
There are concerns about the alcohol and noise but that has been left up to the local municipality to decide and they won't make a decision until after the DNR has made their decision.
We will try to follow this story and let you know what happens.
Continue to follow Houseboating Excursions in the Mississippi River Valley as we cruise and explore more destinations and provide more adventures, information, and resources. Please Don't Move Firewood and Help Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers.