We visited the shrine on a perfect fall day and sat at the water's edge looking across the Mississippi to the Alton Bluffs in Illinois. After our visit, we stopped by the Portage des Sioux post office to mail a letter. Postmaster Debbie Lappe told us about 1993, when the Mississippi, Missouri and Illinois Rivers all flooded at once. But now we're planning for the town's bicentennial, which is coming up in 1999. The flood reminded us how much history we have here, and we're all working together to preserve it.
Decorated boats gather from miles around to receive a blessing from the town priest.