Touring Cedar Rock, The Walters Residence

In 1948, construction of their home near Quasqueton began. The Frank Lloyd Wright designed home and boathouse were to be set along the Wapsipinicon River. Mr. Wright chose and positioned practically every detail of this property including the plants in the yard and the vases on the shelves. Contruction started by stripping the area to bedrock and then building it back up again; quite a project. In the end, it is quite an impressive statement of his vision. Fortunately, the Walters lived in the house as it was designed and saw that it would be preserved as Mr. Wright saw it.

It's a great stop on the list of 100 Places in Iowa and you'll get to tell people it's near Quasqueton, along the Wapsipinicon, two of my favorite place names in Iowa.

Checking out the Decker Hotel

Maquoketa is home to the Decker Hotel, another of the Register's 100 Places In Iowa. Linda and I stopped in to take a look at this gem on the prairie. The exterious looks like most buildings on main streets in midwestern towns: very vertical, two or three stories. The lobby was very welcoming, clean, and comfortable. Having read some of the reviews, it looks like this would be a nice spot to spend an evening or two.

Pausing at the Gehlen House

Gehlen House, in St. Donatus, is a bed and breakfast promising a quiet break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The community seems to have a connection with Luxembourg but I'm unable to find anything specific. St. Donatus is best known in that part of the world and the Gehlen House website advertises Luxembourg hospitality. The setting is Iowa small town and the Kalmes restaurant across the street does look promising. I really can't say a whole lot more about a bed and breakfast without staying there.

Dropping in at Our Lady of the Mississippi Abbey

One of the Register's 100 Places in Iowa, Our Lady of the Mississippi is set on a bluff overlooking the river valley a few miles south of Dubuque. Besides the obvious service in their faith, the nuns are also known for an item on the list of 100 Things You Must Eat, Trappistine Creamy Caramels. Linda and I have found them in shops in Dubuque in the past but it was nice to stop at the monastery.

Browsing Park Farm Winery

Park Farm Winery, near Durango, is one of the 100 Places in Iowa. It took a little gravel jammin' in the beautiful autumn hills to find this gem but, when we got there, it was a nice stop. It was pretty apparent that they were preparing for some sort of elegant reception but we got to roam around a bit, admiring the handsome grounds.

Pausing at St. Bonifice Church

Saint Boniface Church in New Vienna is one of the Register's 100 Places in Iowa and it's not hard to understand why. From the outside, it's a beautiful structure in a lovely setting; inside, it's a well loved house of worship. I recall three alters, the stations of the cross, and a general sense of welcome and reverence.

We arrived at the church a few minutes after a classic car club from along the river. They had set this location as a stop on their tour du jour and were enjoying a bite of breakfast. While some were eating, others were stepping inside church. Those that were inside with Linda and me were complimenting some of the various features of the church. It was a nice place to pause for a moment along the way.

Checking the view from Iowa's Pikes Peak

Yes, there is a Pikes Peak State Park in Iowa. Another of the Register's 100 Places in Iowa, this park provides to pretty amazing views of the river and striking leaves on the overlooking hillsides. The image in the upper right is Wyalusing in Wisconsin.

While Linda and I were standing, admiring the view, a bald eagle soared by about one feet in front of us. Pretty cool!

We followed a couple of trails back in the hills and hollows of the park. As most of our day had been, this too was filled with the colors of autumn.

Climbing up to Effigy Mounds

One of the Register's 100 Places in Iowa, Effigy Mounds National Monument was not the easiest place to get to see. The climb from the entrance to the first mounds was significant; it was pretty with the turning leaves but the incline was not easily overlooked. Once we were at the top of the bluff, the trail wound through the woods, passing by various mounds. There are some two hundred mounds in the monument, thirty-one in the shapes of animals; the rest are conical, linear, or compound.

The images in the upper right and across the bottom show some of the mounds. They weren't very tall and most could almost have been overlooked or dismissed as simply oddly shaped soil. Those that were identified as effigies had what looked like a wide chalky stripe defining the edges to help see the shapes.

At a couple of mounds, there were the usual park service signs telling how people recognized the mounds and the best understanding of their purpose. As is often the case, as we learned more about the subject, the more questions we had. It really was a nice stop.

Checking out the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum

One of the 100 Places in Iowa, the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in centered in a storefront but includes a handful of outbuildings situated on the lots around it. By the time Linda and I arrived, the indoor exhibits were only open for another ten minutes so we opted for the displays outdoors. Outdoors, Linda and I got to see a replica of a home the original settlers in the area would likely have built, complete with sod on the roof. Also, a old, one room school was on display. Having visited their website, it's a place I'd like to revisit to see the indoor displays sometime soon.

Browsing Seed Savers Exchange

North of Decorah is an uncommon seed store dedicated to saving and sharing heirloom seeds. The Seed Savers Exchange has been around over thirty years, growing varieties not found in your typical garden and presenting information on how to do it yourself.

I believe the first time I heard of seed savers was at work when a friend of mine talked about getting seeds to build a little patch of prairie on his property.

It was nice for Linda and me to stop in and see some of how they work. The plots in front of the buildings in the upper left image had rows of several varieties of various vegetables. Many of the pepper plants had varieties my mom never planted. Before we left, we'd both picked up packets of seeds to try in the spring. There MAY be a follow up to this post... but don't hold your breath.

Checking out St. Wenceslaus Church

St. Wenceslaus Church, in Spillville, is one of the 100 Places in Iowa. Built in 1860, it is the oldest Czech Catholic church in the United States. Nearly 150 years old, it's a beautiful house of worship sitting on the crest of a hill in town.

Beside and behind the church is a graveyard with very old and distinctive markers. As you can see in the image, many are the more familiar carved stone headstones. As you can also see, many are metal upright crosses. I'm not sure you can see the markings on those markers but many are not in English. I've learned that there is a special exhibit about these crosses at the Bily Clocks Museum there in town.

Pausing at St. Anthony of Padua Chapel

A few miles outside of Festina, Iowa, along a dusty gravel road sits what has been billed as the Smallest Church in the World," one of the 100 Places in Iowa to Visit. I've read that the interior measures twelve by sixteen feet and that that steeple is forty feet tall. Having stepped inside for a bit, I can vouch that the four pews are regular size but only seat one or two people making room for about eight people to worship. The alter area is attractive and well kept. You can see one of the four stained glass windows in the image. There is a Winneshiek County Historical Society sign out front that reads

On this site in 1849 the first Catholic Mission north of Dubuque was built of logs. In 1885 nearby landowners quarried stone and built the little chapel. Construction resulted from a vow by Johann Gaertner's mother to build a chapel should her sone, who was drafted into the French army and served under Napoleon, return safely from the Russian campaign. Relatives of Frank Huber maitain the chapel and grounds, which includes the grave of Johann Gaertner.

Visiting the Little Brown Church in the Vale

Linda and I stopped by the Little Brown Church in the Vale and checked off another of the 100 Places in Iowa. As you can see, the church is set in a nice wooded little area. A mile or more outside of Nashua, it's a nice, quiet corner of Iowa. The church was open so we went inside to take a look around. It's a nicely maintained house of worship little changed over the years, I'm sure. After the seventy thousand weddings recorded since 1918, the wood floors and pews show a little wear as one would expect. It's a lovely spot to stop for a bit.

Come to the church in the wildwood,
Oh, come to the church in the dale,
No spot is so dear to my childhood,
As the little brown church in the vale.

Stopping by The Ramsey Farm at Lesanville

As Linda and I were cruising across the southern tier of counties on route 2, we passed by an unusual farmstead. I slowed down and, when I caught sight of the sign, recognized that we'd stumbled on another of the Registers 100 Places in Iowa, The Ramsey Farm at Lesanville.

The Ramsey Farm at Lesanville is an historic working farm and village depicting the life and culture of rural America between the late 1800s and the early 1950s.

Operating more as a bed and breakfast, we only browsed around from the road but it looks like a nice retreat and opportunity to get a feel for farming in another time. There are several more buildings and a little train depot that could easily provide interesting activities and sights during a stay.

Checking out the Real Three Sons

A few posts back, I showed the Three Sons store along the lake. The real Three Sons store, another of the 100 Places to go in Iowa. Alright, the store by the lake is a true Three Sons store but it's an outlet store. This main store is found a few miles south of the lake in Milford, Iowa. The store is the offical University of Okoboji sportswear headquarters for the mythical University of Okoboji. I didn't take one but I understand that the entrance exam to the university is available at the front counter. Outside, the store looks a little rustic and worn; inside, it's even more so! Some of the thresholds between portions of the store are well worn by years of shoppers. It's packed with quality merchandise and an interesting stop.

Peeking at Arnold's Park

Situated along the shores of West Lake Okoboji you'll find the historic Arnolds Park amusement park, another of the 100 Places to go in Iowa. Linda and I were about an hour early to get to step inside but, roaming around grounds surrounding this park, it was easy to see the care and attention that put it on the map as a focal point for lakeside fun over a century ago. Crews were busily sweeping up, tending flowers, and testing the Legend Roller Coaster.

The Legend has been thrilling visitors to the park since 1927... over eighty years ago! It may seem a bit tame compared to the beasts today but I'll never underestimate the ability of a wooden coaster to take me out of my comfort zone. The American Coaster Enthusiasts have recognized the Legend for its design and longevity.

Arnolds Park is a treasured piece of the Okoboji experience.

Catching a whiff of the Okoboji Experience

One of the Register's 100 Places to go in Iowa, Lake Okoboji is a summer retreat for a lot of people for a number of different reasons; there's no way I caught up with even half of it roaming around with Linda one morning. There are a few things that I did get a little sense of in that time. Shopping: all sorts of summer resort items are readily available. Boating: everywhere you look, there are boats on the water or tied up at docks after having been on the water, getting ready to go back on the water, possibly to go fishing. If those aren't enough, there's even a shoreline amusement park ... but that's the next post! In the short time I was at this Iowa Great Lake, it wasn't hard to sense the attraction.

Spending an evening at Modern Woodmen Park

One of the 100 Places in Iowa to visit, John O'Donnell Stadium (now Modern Woodmen Park) is a great place to see a baseball game. Located along the river and next to the striking Centennial Bridge over the Mississippi River, the view is ever changing. The stadium is very easy to get into and out of, the amenities are great, and the baseball entertaining. In my book, that's a hard combination to beat. There's even an historic dimension:

Modern Woodmen Park was built in 1931, and was originally known as Municipal Stadium. It is one of the oldest ballparks still in use in all of the minor leagues (Centennial Field, home of the Vermont Lake Monsters originally opened in 1906), although it underwent a major renovation before the 2004 season that brought the ballpark up to modern professional baseball standards and a seating capacity of 4,024. The only major league ballparks older than it still in use are Fenway Park, Wrigley Field and Yankee Stadium. - Wikipedia

The one drawback for a fan of the Chicago Cubs is that the home team River Bandits are affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Linda and I explored the stadium over the course of the game. Down the right field line, the seats give way to a family picnic area complete with inflatable play areas for the little ones. Around the outfield, there are hillsides where blankets are spread for a leisurely evening in souvenir city. Down the left field line, there are traditional bleachers. All of the many, varied vendors line the back of the seating area and allow you to keep an eye on the game while getting a treat. It's an excellent design for the fans.

This evening, we watched a good game between the River Bandits and the Kane County Cougars of Geneva, Illinois. The home team lost 1-4 but the game was in doubt to the end. An added bonus was a very entertaining fireworks display.

Looking around at the River Music Experience

Another Davenport entry on the Des Moines Register's list of 100 Places is the River Music Experience. Located just up the street from the Figge, this handsome, historic red brick building is alive with music. It appears to be about equal parts museum, practice studios, and live music venue. We only got to spend a little time in the place but we saw several displays of artists who'd played in the Quad Cities on the second floor. A small band setting up in a cafe on the first floor as people were coming and going. The place had a nice, active feel about it.

Enjoying the Figge Art Museum

Another of the 100 Places is the Figge Art Museum in Davenport. This glass clad building is itself an interesting sight.

Linda and I stepped inside and were soon admiring the collection of prints by John James Audubon. These beautiful, life-size prints are fascinating to see. In a corner of the hall showing the prints was a video screen telling Audobon's story and showing how the prints were made. On another floor, we saw a display of glass and pottery. Paintings, fibers, and educational displays filled another floor. Drawings and paintings from the local schools were shown in one hall. It was a pleasure to see the community reflected in the displays.

I'd be very happy to return to see what's on display another day.