Dean Klinkenberg, the Mississippi Valley Traveler, is on a mission to explore the complex history, diverse cultures, and rich world of the Mississippi River Valley, from the Headwaters in northern Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. He's driven over 140,000 miles along the Great River Road, hiked to the tops of bluffs, paddled on the Mississippi River in canoes, and floated in luxury for a few days as a guest lecturer on the American Queen. He is the author of the Mississippi Valley Traveler guides and the Frank Dodge mystery series.He writes about the Mississippi River at MississippiValleyTraveler.com. You can find out more about the Frank Dodge mysteries at DeanKlinkenberg.com.