It is an unusual force of nature that puts entire Iowan cities under eight feet of water yet keeps NOLA dry for days at a time. If this third week had a theme, it was, oddly enough for a steam calliope research project, Water Avoidance.

Penning this posting while northward out of Cape Girardeau, I’m given a chance to reflect on how oddly successful this week’s research has been in the South. Our itinerary took us through Springfield, Illinois and St. Louis on our way to New Orleans....

Jon Tschiggfrie

Here's a riddle for you: What do you get when you mix the Circus World Museum with tornado warnings? Answer: a subterranean tour of infinite shelves of authentic circus equipment and memorabilia.

Today’s posting comes amid continued severe thunderstorms here in the Midwest that seem to have been plaguing us for the past few weeks. This past week saw the calliope grantee and his faithful Dad-assistant on a whirlwind tour of the archival hotspots on the Upper Miss: the Murphy Library...

Jon Tschiggfrie

Welcome to my blog, “Notes” From the Road! Join me weekly this summer 2008 as I delve deep into the world of steam calliopes. This is a[n attempt at a] side project of a research grant that I’ve received from the University of Saint Thomas in Saint Paul. Every Sunday I’ll post updates on my research, including interesting and/or questionable facts, calliope mysteries, and of course, the stories that accompany any earnest discussion of the river.

Today’s entry comes after a full...

Jon Tschiggfrie