In 2012, I rode along the Mississippi from Savanna to East Moline and back. One of the best solo rides I've done in a long time. Very scenic and it was more enjoyable riding down Route 84 on a bicycle than it is in a car. The trail from Savanna, south to Thomson, was especially scenic.

The Big Slough Recreation area and boat ramp was just off of the trail, about 8 miles south of Savanna. The bottom photo is of the state of the art state prison in Thomson that sat empty for almost 5 years until the federal government took it over about a year or so ago.