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TRAVELING THE GREAT RIVER ROAD- Paperback
TRAVELING THE GREAT RIVER ROAD- Kindle Edition
ALL ABOUT TOWBOATS - Paperback
ALL ABOUT TOWBOATS -- Kindle Edition
PILOTHOUSE DAYS - Paperback
PILOTHOUSE DAY -- Kindle Edition
DECKHAND DAYS - Paperback
DECKHAND DAYS -- Kindle Edition
LOVE STORIES - Paperback
LOVE STORIES -- Kindle Edition
THE SAN DIEGO AREA DOG BEACH BOOK- Paperback
SAN DIEGO DOG BEACH BOOK -- Kindle Edition
THE LEADING EDGE (Beginners Guide to Sport Kites) -Paperback
HOT off the presses! TRAVELING THE GREAT RIVER ROAD
Another Noteworthy New Book!
Author Tom Struve has penned another terrific reference resource filled to the brim with discoveries and spectacular behind-the-scenes information about towboats and river-related lore for his dedicated readers to enjoy. Ride with Tom, Shannon, and their dog Riley as they travel the 2,500 miles from one end of the Great River Road to the other. Shadowing the Mississippi River between Venice, Louisiana, and Lake Itasca in North Central Minnesota, the route wanders gently through the inside corridors of America, far off the beaten paths, providing the traveler with insights you cannot get elsewhere. The book follows their journey and includes details about all the most fascinating points of interest, landmarks, and attractions. You will meet many captivating characters, and learn a great deal about local and regional cultures. The reviews of TRAVELING THE GREAT RIVER ROAD are enthusiastically complimentary. Get YOUR COPY today! (Kindle Editions are available of all these books)
Be sure not to miss PILOT HOUSE DAYS, ALL ABOUT TOWBOATS and DECKHAND DAYS, also written by Tom Struve, detailing the everyday work aboard towboats on America's inland waterways. "What are the towboats like?" "How do you navigate those huge tows?" These and all the questions you may have are answered in these three great books. Listen in on conversations in the pilothouse and onboard. Feel the movement on the water and smell the pungent aromas of the river. Meet the men and women that make America's rivers work.
THE SAN DIEGO AREA DOG BEACH BOOK has it all! Tom, Shannon, and Riley visit all of the San Diego area beaches periodically, and this book provides the latest information about when and where your best canine pals can accompany you to the beach.
Shannon Tyree's book entitled LOVE STORIES, The Inside Stories of an Outside Girl is receiving marvelous reviews! The book features thirty-one fun and animated stories about her outdoor adventures and sometimes misadventures! A memoir that is not to be missed. Everyone who reads it loves it and buys one for their best friend! It's that good!
AND, don't miss THE LEADING EDGE, A Beginners Guide to Sport Kites. This great book is an awesome resource for anyone who is interested in flying sport kites as a hobby.
Towboat Enthusiast Resources
AUTHORS June 2023 TALK entitled
ALL ABOUT TOWBOATS
Dicks Towboat Gallery
http://www.towboatgallery.com/The_Towboat_Gallery.php
VIDEO- Boat Threading a Needle- great example of how a towboat steers from the rear https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5k2v-rfe2pM
VIDEO- Towboat Downbound Hastings Bridges- another example towboat steers from rearhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT73SIMvC6M
VIDEO- Tight bridge N/B- great video showing navigating going upstream
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wk3Vl8wjYYs
VIDEO- Towboat southbound Savannah, TN - video showing tow "sliding" with empties
and Captain steering and "holding a point"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrOSl2p3-mM
VIDEO- Browns point and Vicksburg bridge 40 loads -great video showing navigating going downstream and Captain steering and "holding a point"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_SDpFA3gwo
VIDEO- Downbound Louisville -video showing navigating going downstream through bridges
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDa6QAdDO4c
VIDEO- Flanking Vicksburg Bridge in High Water - video showing navigating going downstream in flood conditions and Captain reverses engines to perform "flanking" maneuver
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7xw4tZ8N9XE
VIDEO- View from the Pilothouse
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6zlswDF2Sg
VIDEO- Upper Mississippi Lock 11- good view of re-assembling "break coupling" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xIjsPNjawE
American Waterways Operators -lots of river industry facts https://www.americanwaterways.com/media/fact-sheets/facts-industry
WONDERFUL 2001 Historical Overview of River Transportation in MN http://www.dot.state.mn.us/ofrw/PDF/2001RiverTransportationMN.pdf
LINK to Tom's June '18 Talk about Towboats
Click here
SELF PUBLISHING & MARKETING Writer's Resources
Book I highly recommend
https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Authorpreneur-Navigating-21st-Century-Publishing/dp/1453782907
Editor I highly recommend
https://www.freerangeeditorial.com/
LINK to YouTube Video of LULU Formatting Template
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J8oS-zkkQBY
LINK to KDP PPT tutorial on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hJ8_YeS88-s
LINK to YouTube video called PUBLISHING ON CREATESPACE
Each time she says CreateSpace, same for Kindle Direct Publishing
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkFWnluIx0Q&t=104s
Purchase Tom's Towboat Series Books at These Locations
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
SCIENCE MUSEUM OF MINNESOTA Click Here
Overlooking the Mississippi River in downtown at 120 W Kellogg Blvd. in St Paul, MN.
GREAT RIVER ROAD VISITOR AND LEARNING CENTER Click Here
Don't miss this jewel welcoming 15,000 visitors annually overlooking the confluence of the beautiful St. Croix and Mississippi Rivers. 200 Monroe Street, in Prescott, WI.
FAIR TRADE BOOKS Click here to visit their website
A wonderful, welcoming "Indy" bookstore in historic downtown 320 Bush St., Red Wing, MN.
RED WING MARINE MUSEUM Click here
An incredible museum located on the riverfront on the Mississippi 935 Levee Rd., Red Wing, MN.
CHAPTER 2 BOOKS Click here
Books, records, CDs, comics, merchandise - great store! 121 W 3rd St., Winona, Minnesota
WINONA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Click here
Early cultures, and events telling about this amazing region. 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN.
LAURA INGALLS WILDER MUSEUM Click here
Awesome museum on the Great River Road located at 306 3rd St, Pepin, WI.
NATIONAL EAGLE CENTER Click here
Located directly on the bank of the Mississippi River historic downtown Wabasha, MN.
WINGS OVER ALMA Click here
Right up the hill from the Mississippi River (Lock and Dam #4) in historic Alma, WI.
EXPLORE LA CROSSE COUNTY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU Click here
Lots of great regional information located in their beautiful riverfront park, La Crosse WI.
VALLEY FISH AND CHEESE Click here
Lots of unique gifts and fresh cheese and smoked fish! 304 S Prairie St, Prairie du Chien, WI.
FORT CRAWFORD MUSEUM Click here
A fur trading village becomes a Midwest river town. 717 S Beaumont Rd, Prairie du Chien, WI.
NATIONAL MISSISSIPPI RIVER MUSEUM AND AQUARIUM Click here
Connected with the Mississippi River Park and Trail in historic downtown Dubuque, IA.
RIVER LIGHTS BOOKSTORE Click here
In the heart of Dubuque's historic downtown at 1098 Main Street, Dubuque, IA.
CELEBRATION RIVER CRUISES Click here
Daily river cruises aboard the Celebration Belle at 2501 River Drive, Moline, IL.
BUFFALO BILLS and MISSISSIPPI HERITAGE MUSEUM Click here
See the Steam Towboat Lonestar located on the Great River Road- 199 N Front St, Le Claire, IA.
MUSCATINE HISTORY & INDUSTRY CENTER Click here
Learn how Muscatine, Iowa became pearl button capital of the world. 117 West 2nd Street
BURLINGTON BY THE BOOK Click here
A great bookstore in downtown historic Burlington at 301 Jefferson, Burlington, IA.
NORTH LEE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY Click here
Discover the remarkable history of Fort Madison. 814 10th Street, Fort Madison, IA
GEORGE M VERITY RIVERBOAT MUSEUM Click here
On the Mississippi River just downstream from Lock 19 observation area -Keokuk, IA.
MARK TWAIN BOOK & GIFT SHOP Click here
A fabulous gift and book store! 312 North Main Street, Hannibal, MO.
JAVA JIVE -DELI & BAKERY Click here
A wonderful stop in the heart of the Hannibal, MO. shopping district.
GRAFTON HARBOR MARINA - WINE & OYSTER BAR Click here
Where the Illinois River meets the Upper Mississippi -215 West Water Street, Grafton, Il.
MISSISSIPPI MUD POTTERY Click here
Overlooking the "Mighty Miss" in historic downtown shopping area- 310 E Broadway, Alton, IL.
ALTON REGIONAL VISITORS BUREAU Click here
Lots and lots of GREAT FREE regional information available -downtown Alton, IL.
NATIONAL GREAT RIVERS MUSEUM Click here
See tows up close. Marvelous displays and exhibits at one of America's busiest inland locks.
Melvin Price Locks and Dam, #1 Lock and Dam Way, East Alton, Il.
LEWIS AND CLARK STATE HISTORIC SITE Click here
14,000 sf interpretative center. Lewis & Clark point of departure-1 Lewis & Clark Trl. Hartford IL
SHOW-ME SHOP Click here
Gourmet Foods, Missouri Wines, Great Gifts 10 South Main, Ste Genevieve, MO.
PASTIME ANTIQUES Click here
50 Dealers- over 10,000 square feet of treasures- 45 N Main, downtown Cape Girardeau, MO.
BRICK STREET GALLERY ANTIQUES Click here
Collectables, Antiques. Something for everyone! 19 N, Spanish St. Cape Girardeau, M
LOWER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
A. SCHWAB MERCANTILE Click here to visit their website
Incredible gifts - awesome museum -"home of the blues" -163 Beale Street Memphis, TN.
GREENVILLE HISTORY MUSEUM Click here
Greenville from 1800's to 1970 - amazing! 409 Washington Ave., Greenville, MS.
THE OLD DEPOT MUSEUM Click here
Two stories of local history on the Mississippi levee at 1010 Levee Street, Vicksburg, MS.
LORELEI BOOKS Click here
Luring booklovers to lore- a great "indy" bookstore. 103 Washington St., Vicksburg, MS.
FRANKLIN STREET RELICS Click here
Incredible selection of antiques- "step into the past..." 512 Franklin Street, Natchez, MS.
SILVER STREET GALLERY AND GIFTS Click here
Lovely! Located in the Historic Natchez Under The Hill District 27A Silver St., Natchez, MS.
AUDUBON AQUARIUM OF AMERICAS Click here
New Orleans Waterfront, adjacent to French Quarter, top ranked. 1 Canal St., New Orleans, LA.
A SIMPLER TIME Click here
Gifts & nostalgic décor in the heart of the French Quarter 518 St. Peter St., New Orleans, LA.
CRESENT CITY BOOKS Click here
Awesome "indy" bookstore- Maps! 240 Chartre St., New Orleans, LA.
ILLINOIS RIVER VALLEY
CLARK'S RUN ANTIQUES 215 Division St., Click here
CLARKS RUN CREEK GIFTS AND WINE 143 Mill Street North Utica, IL.
Two DO NOT MISS stops along the Illinois River -gifts, bourbon, wine, over 70 antique vendors!
LOCK 16 CAFE and VISITOR CENTER Click here
Shop and eat in a quaint, vintage setting. 754 First Street, La Salle, IL.
PRAIRIE FOX BOOKS Click here
A wonderful independent bookstore in historic downtown. 722 La Salle St, Ottawa, IL.
ILLINOIS WATERWAY VISITOR CENTER Click here
Located on the guide-wall at the Starved Rock Lock and Dam on the river in Ottawa IL.
Watch towboats lock through. Actual towboat pilothouse in the museum. 950 N 27th Road.
SMOKEY ROW ANTIQUE SHOP Click here
Marvelous! In historic Upper Illinois River town of Lemont, Illinois. 112 Stephen Street.
OHIO, TENNESSEE, and CUMBERLAND RIVER AREAS
FRAZIER KENTUCKY HISTORY MUSEUM Click here
located in Historic Downtown Louisville, Kentucky. On the Ohio River
immediately across the street from the Louisville Slugger Bat Museum and Factory.
HOWARD STEAMBOAT MUSEUM Click here
The amazing historic residence of Captain E. J. Howard. The spectacular 22 room mansion is a repository for river and steamboat history. 1101 East Market Street, Jeffersonville, IN.
RIVER DISCOVERY CENTER Click here
A fun, welcoming educational environment showcasing how our rivers impact our daily lives. At the levee adjacent to Ohio and Tennessee Rivers -117 So Water St., Paducah, KY
MARKET STREET MERCANTILE Click here
Incredible unique gift store one block from the Cumberland River and right in the heart of the honkytonks in fabulous downtown Nashville -111 2nd Ave N, Nashville, TN
AND a second store at the phenomenal Marathon Museum Village-don't miss these stores!
ARIZONA
EXPRESSIONS GALLERY PEBBLE CREEK CREATIVE ARTS CENTER GIFT SHOP Click here
Excellent selection of art, gifts and books offered by wonderful residents of Pebble Creek. 16280 W Clubhouse Drive, Goodyear, AZ
Grateful For
Dicks Towboat Gallery
Captain Kyle Pfenning @ Marktwained on YouTube
Hundreds of towboat videos and more...
CLICK here to go there
Photo Gallery
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Visit our retail partners!
We've updated the list of our retail partners!
Be sure to patronize them- they are the Best!