BETWEEN THE LINES: BRIDGE, BARGE COMBINATION COULD HELP PUT CAPE ON THE TOURIST MAP

Even though the Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge is still under construction, people are already talking about what to do with the existing Mississippi River bridge once the new bridge project is complete.

Some have suggested keeping a part of the bridge for a scenic overlook. Other people, particularly those who live close to the river, want the aging, iron structure torn down. It obstructs their view of the mighty Mississippi.

At first I thought the idea of keeping a portion of the old bridge was ridiculous. Why would anyone want to preserve such a thing? It's not pretty or architecturally distinctive. It's just a bridge.

But I'm beginning to reconsider, if we can do it right. Maybe the idea of converting the bridge isn't really so bad. I like to watch the river traffic occasionally. Maybe other people would go to the bridge to do just that. Who knows?

But that alone doesn't seem like a good enough reason for Cape Girardeau to keep this bridge. We'd need something else to draw people to the city.

Face it, the bridge is not attractive enough to draw people to the city. To be brutally honest, it's an ugly structure whose roadway is filled with potholes and narrow lanes for traffic.

But if we found something else to connect tourism with the bridge, maybe this idea would work.

I have a suggestion. It's not a golf course overlooking the Mississippi, however. Sorry to disappoint anyone.

I think the city should invest in its own riverboat. It doesn't have to be elaborate like the American Queen, but something simple like a tugboat and a few barges. It could offer guided trips along the Mississippi. There could even be a contest to name it.

The boat wouldn't even have to travel very far -- a distance from Cape Rock Park to the bridge would be enough. People just need a feel for what it's like to travel on the river.

I think the idea would work in Cape Girardeau. People are fascinated by river travel. Look at all the folks who pay for trips aboard the River Explorer, a barge turned travel excursion liner.

Traveling, even at a short distance, on a river barge is something few of us get to do. People could pay to ride aboard the boat and get a new view of their favorite local waterway.

Plenty of other river cities have boats. Why can't we? When I lived in Jacksonville, Fla., the city's boat offered tours of the downtown area along the St. John's River. The Annabelle Lee would lead the festivities for the Christmas parade each year, with such guests as the mayor and Santa Claus. Companies would rent the boat as a place for parties and events throughout the year.

I think it's an idea worthy of consideration by the Convention and Visitors Bureau.

I'll admit to being mesmerized by the Mississippi, so there must be other people equally as fascinated by the river.

I remember reading Mark Twain in college and having a heated discussion about the importance of the Mississippi River in his writings. I even wrote a term paper about living along the river.

But it's not just the river that holds my attention. I even like the bridge, despite its failings. Even as a kid, I thought there could be nothing better than driving across the bridge. From those heights, you get a different perspective on the world.

I can remember straining from the back seat of the car to look out the window as barges passed in the river. It seemed like an adventure to ride across the bridge into Illinois.

While I excitedly awaited those trips across the bridge, a friend of mine dreaded them. Ever since I've known her, she refuses to open her eyes when traveling across a bridge, any bridge. Maybe a ride aboard the city's new boat/barge would help ease her fear of bridges. I don't think keeping half the bridge would settle well with her at all.

~Laura Johnston is a copy editor for the Southeast Missourian.