>Bill-
>
>I grew up in St. Louis where the river is the basis for many of my best
>memories- from riding to the top of The Arch to look out over the
>riverbank, remembering barges frozen in the ice, to spending time on the
>landing in old shops, bars & restaurants (for Catfish!) and finally
>spending a summer working on a riverboat which cruised up and down the
>Mississippi all day and night.
>
>I recall also the problems like the fateful day the Jet Ski ran out of gas
>and I had to tread through the good old Mississippi MUD/muck hoping to
>avoid the Copperheads lurking around. Of course the flooding  in the past
>few years put me in awe of her ultimate abilities to destroy as much as she
>creates. Even though I was away, videos and clippings of the aftermath and
>resulting community efforts summed up living with the river so well.
>
>There is a sense of cycle, of history, beauty, and power all at once which
>to this day I run to whenever I'm there..... I spent 4th of July there this
>summer- fireworks shot from barges over the river is a sight unmatched!
>
>Hope this is what you had in mind...
>
>Sandra L. Harris
>Arizona Capitol Museum
>1700 W. Washington
>Phoenix, AZ. 85007
>(602) 542-4342 office
>(602) 542-4690 fax