As an aside, some people have asked who actually writes the blog, so we thought we would explain our process. Michelle usually writes the initial draft then Sandy takes over and adds color and humor. Sandy is also the voice of Eddie as she channels her on a regular basis normally. So, back to the blog.
We left Omaha and headed for the Iowa boarder. As we drove towards the Hawkeye state, we started seeing acres and hectares of corn. The fields are terraced and went on for as far as the eye can see. Iowa also grows a lot of soybeans, and we started seeing those fields as well. At least we think they were soybeans; it’s not like the farmers label their fields. In our naïve state, we left Omaha thinking we would find a place to eat along the I – 80. That didn’t work out so well as the cornfields went on forever without any services off the highway. The day before, we read about a Danish town called Elk Horn. There were many signs that enticed us to travel the 10 or so miles off the highway to visit the Danish windmill and the restaurants in the town. So we turn off the highway and on the road to Elk Horn. As they say, the best laid plans…our GPS became very confused and before we knew it, we ended up on gravel roads. We drew the line when our GPS tried to point us up a road that was very clearly marked, with a very polite sign, informing us the dirt road was not maintained and we would enter at our own risk. Prudently, we turned around and eventually found the town. Alas, it was Sunday and not a soul was stirring and not one establishment was open except the local church where the parking lot was chuck full. Back to the highway. We did see a very pretty windmill. We gave in and ate the granola we had in the car and finally found a rest area for our bladder’s sake and then a Burger King so Sandy could get a diet coke. Lesson learned, never assume there will be services outside the cities in the middle of the country. BTW, one very nice thing – all the rest stops have very nice free maps of Iowa for the taking. We didn’t have a good Iowa map, so we picked one up.
Mommies are going in circles. We’re lost. We’re gonna die in a cornfield.
Eddie, shush! We are not lost, we are not going to die.
As we continue heading for Dubuque, the cornfields began to share space with forests of deciduous trees. As in Wyoming and Nebraska, they are beginning to change colors and continue to enchant us. We arrived in Dubuque in the late afternoon and checked in to our hotel. Against all odds, we have two sets of friends living in Dubuque, IA. Deb and Virginia live here during the summer and Palm Springs in the winter and Dee and Denise live here all year long (hearty souls). We drove to Deb and Virginia’s place as we had plans with them for dinner that evening.
They have an adorable little dog named Bentley who is very selective about what dogs he likes. Eddie usually doesn’t care anything about other dogs and ignores them. However, they both went against type and seemed to really like each other. They played and generally had a good time. We visited with Deb and Virginia in their lovely home that backs up to a beautiful green space. They told us they regularly see deer and wild turkeys in their back yard. They took us to a local restaurant called “Copper Kettle” and the food was very good, the wine was nice and the company was excellent. We loved Justin, our dryly funny food server. A good time was had by all. When we arrived back at Deb and Virginia’s place, we found that Eddie had broken out of her soft crate and for good measure, broke both zippers. So, her opinion about being left was crystal clear.
It was an accident. I thought I heard you call to me so I let myself out. It’s not my fault that they don’t make crates stronger.
Eddie, you destroyed it completely.
Oops! Sorry. No more crates. What a pity.
We’re getting a new one tomorrow.
(Expletive censored).
It was so kind of Deb and Virginia to spend precious time with us given they left for a cruise just a couple of days later.
The next morning, our other two friends in Dubuque, Dee and Denise, picked us up to show us all around Dubuque. We first stopped at PetSmart to buy a locking metal crate for the escape artist, dropped Eddie off at Dee and Denise’s and then drove to a cute little restaurant called “Fiesta Cancun” for really good Mexican food. It rivals the Mexican food in Southern California. Not too surprising since Dee grew up in Southern California, so she knows good Mexican food when she tastes it. They then drove us all over the picturesque town of Dubuque, IA. Denise is a native daughter of Dubuque and Dee has lived here for the last 15 years, so we were in expert hands for our sightseeing tour. After picking Eddie back up we went to Eagle Point Park and the Mines of Spain for breathtaking views of the surrounding area including the locks and bridges and the Mississippi river. They drove us over the bridges to Wisconsin and Illinois. You can hit three states in 15 minutes by driving in a loop over the river – hence the moniker “the tri-state area”. Dee then took us to her place of work in Peosta to meet her co-workers and tour the warehouse. To no one’s surprise, Dee’s co-workers were much more interested in meeting Eddie than us. It’s the same in the Coachella Valley. If we go somewhere we usually take Eddie and without her, disappointment abounds. We don’t blame them – she is pretty entertaining. Speaking of entertainment, Eddie dazzled Dee’s fellow employees and put on quite the show. Anyone who knows Eddie knows she is always up for performing provided treats are involved.
Of course everyone loves me. I’m the fun one. I sing and dance. I’m a lot more fun outside of a crate. Remember that.
Afterwards we headed back to Dubuque and visited a very well-done military memorial. It represented all the branches and wars. Those types of memorials always affect us deeply and this one was no different. Our last stop was at the 4th Street elevator. This is a fascinating relic from a time when J. K. Graves lived on top of the bluffs of Dubuque and became annoyed that it took him so long to travel to work and back home. He hired an engineer to design a one car cable modeled after those in the Alps. It is called “the world’s steepest, shortest scenic railway”. It’s 296 feet in length and brings passengers 189 feet up from 4th Street to Fenelon Place. From the observation tower, you can see the Mississippi River, and the states of Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois. It is a bit gut clutching if you are afraid of heights and Eddie had something to say about the ride.
I thought we were going to heaven. I’m too young.
We went back to Dee and Denise’s for a bit and then back to the hotel to recover from our very busy day. We saw all that and its only day 1!
The next morning Dee and Denise picked us up once again and off we went to breakfast. Michelle always hunts for pumpkin pancakes this time of year and she found them at Village Inn. Our destination on day 2 was The National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. It is amazing and not to be missed if you ever find yourself in this part of the country. It is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution and lives up to that institution’s very high standards. We saw tons of information about the Mississippi River, got to climb aboard and explore a river dredger, a tug boat and climbed the tower that gave us a 360-degree view of the surrounding area. The main building was sold to the city by the local casino for $1 since the casino was being moved to a larger facility. The aquarium was also amazing and featured a couple of very playful river otters and the opportunity to pet starfish and sea anemones. We spent a few very engaged and happy hours at the museum and aquarium. Eventually hunger drove us to leave and find sustenance. Before we found food, we needed to go let Eddie out for a few minutes. Fortunately, she was not able to jail break out of her metal crate, so we breathed a sigh of relief.
It sounded like fun. I wouldn’t know. I was locked up like a criminal. Me, a criminal. Incarceration without representation. Where’s my file?
Dee and Denise took us to one of their favorite places called “Shot Tower” which is a pub with great food. The Black & Blu and BBQ burgers were really tasty, and their French fries rocked. Afterwards we drove out to an overlook of the verdant green and golden fields of corn and soybeans. Looking at this part of the country reminds us of just how much of our food comes from the mid-west. Alas, after visiting for a while it was time to say goodbye to our friends and have them take us back to our hotel. We had such a great time with our fabulous tour guides and dear friends and can’t wait to have another visit either here or in the Coachella Valley. Next stop, Chicago.
Pics to follow another time. This current WIFI is anemic.