Here are ideas for connecting with the river

To the editor:

Would it ever be possible or feasible to allow tourists to drive on the river side of the floodwall in Cape Girardeau from the Broadway floodgate north to the Red Star river access to view and enjoy the river? Paducah has such, and it is nice.

What about an improved overlook area (and mention it in city brochures) with a river view at the Red Star access? It could be billed as the place where Lewis and Clark landed, with a plaque mentioning the character of the folks they found here.

A plaque could mention why William Clark stayed with the boats. (Clark's brother had burned Louis Lorimier's previous trading post further east.)

A plaque could also mention the Lewis-Clark crew member whom they had let out to hunt two days earlier around Horseshoe Lake-Thebes area. He hailed them from the Illinois shore as they were leaving Cape Girardeau. He was "much fatigued with wandering, and somewhat indisposed."

Anyone interested in Cape's downtown historical development who hasn't seen Paducah's floodwall artistry should see it.

Kudos to all who made the Red House a reality.

FRED KELLER

Cape Girardeau