The Travels of LynDen Haus: National Eagle Center, Wabasha, Minnesota

4 August 2016. Okay, I know I'm just a wee bit behind with my blog entries, but we've been having too much fun along the way. We are now in Naples, Idaho, about 20 minutes outside Sandpoint, Idaho, which is where we plan to spend the next four days exploring the area and sightseeing. But more on Sandpoint later. In this blog we're going back into July, while we were still encamped in Nelson, Wisconsin. After two days of wine tasting up and down the Great River Road, we decided to take a break and head across the Mississippi River to Wabasha and visit the National Eagle Center, which sits right on the river -- a beautiful setting,.

We weren't sure what to expect but were delighted with what we experienced. The National Eagle Center (NEC) is a nonprofit organization that focuses on conservation, research and educational efforts relating to eagles. It is essentially a world-class interpretive center that's home to non-releasable bald and golden eagles. In other words, the NEC takes care of eagles that have been injured (a broken wing, for example) and can never be released into the wild. During a visit to the NEC, one will experience these magnificent creatures up close and in person -- so to speak. As we found out during a 45-minute instructional presentation put on by a NEC staffer -- with an eagle as center stage -- the Upper Mississippi River Valley is home to hundreds of bald eagles -- and also many golden eagles. Many choose to build their nests in the tall trees along the river valley. Hundreds more bald eagles arrive here in the winter months, as the Mississippi River stays open around year round in the Wabasha area.

In 1989, NEC began as a group of volunteers sharing with visitors to Wabasha views of wintering bald eagles from an outdoor observation deck along the river. Since then, the Center has grown a lot. In 2000, NEC opened year-round in a small storefront downtown and welcomed two eagles. In 2007, in a partnership with the City of Wabasha, NEC opened a 15,000 sq. ft. interpretive center right on the banks of the Mississippi River. From this facility one can enjoy magnificent views of wild eagles and also meet the resident eagles. Today, the Center cares for four bald eagles and one golden eagle and uses them in their interactive and interpretive programs. Definitely worth the visit and admission fee if you're ever in this area. Plus the NEC has a magnificent view of the Mississippi River -- it's right there in front of you as you stand at the Center. Stunning scenery.

To top off our day, after our NEC visit we opted to have lunch at the famous Slippery's Bar & Grill, just down the street from the NEC. This river side tavern restaurant was made famous in the movie "Grumpy Old Men" when Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon confronted each other in Slippery's bar. And the gift shop has t-shirts that advertise that fact!

A view of the Center from the street...

Lynette posing with a replica of the bald eagle...

One of the exhibits inside the NEC...

...and another exhibit.

One of the eagles at the Center...about 5-ft away from my camera.

I don't think this guy was too happy with me taking his pic!

The lone golden eagle at the Center...

A NEC staffer with an eagle she used during our 45-min. presentation. The "eagle" behind her is only part of a mural that shows the river where the NEC sits.

Ya' just gotta believe this fella knew how majestic he is!

Notice the long leather glove the staffer is wearing? The eagle's talons are really something else to see up close and in person. Plus this guy wasn't all that cooperative. First thing he did when she brought him into the demo room was to take a crap -- right there on the carpet!

Staffer encouraging this eagle to sample the tailend of a fish...

Now he's getting the hang of this...

Turned out he was pretty hungry after all!

Yep, mighty tasty!

REALLY tasty!!!

Our national symbol -- well deserved.

As we wandered outside after our presentation, we were treated to one of the Mississippi River's grand paddle-wheelers. This one was headed back to its home port in St. Louis.