Julia came back from her early morning workout (4:50 a.m.) full of ambition, as I lazily sipped my cup of coffee. "Let's go somewhere," she suggested.
The weather forecast for home was not promising. It was supposed to rain most of the day. In fact, while we were gone, there was significant hail denting cars and rooftops (not ours).
As regular readers of my blog know, we are fans of the Mississippi River and surrounding bluffs. With the weather front moving northwest, the skies of Dubuque,Iowa would be rain-free by noon. For this trip, we retrieved Callie's soft-sided, portable kennel and all climbed into Julia's Subaru.
Ninety minutes later, we crossed into Iowa.
Quick story: When my father was a young boy, he decided that he wanted to leave Cedar Rapids, Iowa and sneaked on to a train west. He got as far as Dubuque before being discovered. His father (my grandfather) was not pleased.
As soon as we descended from the Mississippi River bridge, we took the first exit and backtracked to one of Dubuque's riverside parks, which includes a municipal campground. I haven't stayed there before, but $15 seems like a fair price for a "no electric" site on the river.
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From the park, there was a paved walking trail with nice views and sitting benches.
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Callie letting me know it was time for more walking
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We followed the trail along the back bay behind the old Greyhound Park (now a casino).
When the track first opened in 1985, I attended one of the first races. I was disappointed to learn that the dogs often knock each other down. I was never a big gambler, but even making a $2 bet on a dog that gets knocked down on the first turn isn't very satisfying. Wisconsin's dog tracks didn't last very long before going out of business. Dubuque's track was in operation from 1985 until last year.
From the river, we could see a lookout way up on the bluffs on the north end of Dubuque. After consulting a map, we learned that there was a city park on top of the bluff and drove off to find it. Eagle Point park has an admission fee of $1, and there is a sign on the booth, "Everybody pays." There was no one there to collect the fee or donation box, so we headed up.
I would have gladly paid $1. The views were spectacular.
Later, we drove through the Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Garden. We drove through some neighborhoods, checking out a new 55+ community going in. And we had to check out the pickleball courts, which didn't seem too active.
Before heading home, we enjoyed a meal at 7 Hills Brewing Company. I can recommend the IPA. I was tempted to try one of their imperial stouts, but Julia informed me that I would be driving home.
Anyone who says that Iowa is flatter than a pancake hasn't been to Dubuque. It's a small city that we both look forward to exploring more.
New-to-me truck update: The local guy who owns a tow truck and service shop came yesterday morning, tried to start it, and gave me his preliminary diagnosis that it needed a new starter. ("Click") He verified that the battery was good and ordered a new starter. Before pushing it out of the shop, he tried to start it one more time, and it started right up.
From that point, he couldn't get it not to start. I picked it up and it started right up, and it has continued to start. The woman at the front desk joked that my truck had a ghost. I don't know what to think at this point but am hoping for the best. At least I wasn't charged an arm and leg for the tow and nothing for the shop time.
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