trip to Iowa

[jobrien]

I will be attending a rally in the Amana Colonies early September. Stopping first at the Flexsteel factory in Dubuque.

Any recommendations for "must see" places in either area? Highly recommended tourist areas, parks and campgrounds (in Dubuque). We'll be staying at the Amana RV park during the rally.

Trying to plan the trip, allowing enough time to see the sites, but time is limited.

Basically taking route 80 from and to NJ, willing to side trip.

Thanks

John

[Ray]

Hi, Sam is right - if you dont mind a little out of straight path there are alot of things to see if you hug the river down from dubuque - distillery, Buffalo Bill museum, the pickers (you have seen them on TV), sneaky petes (dont wear a tie) - if your interested in that stuff google "big river" mag - they have a lot of good POI's in thier mag

And in Dubuque - dont miss the mississippi river museum down by the gambling boat - the place is great - there is alot of stuff right in that area - not sure about rv parking - always went there by car or boat

Depends how far out of the way you want to go - If your interested I would at least head down the river till you hit I80 - the next best place to jump back on the I is probably I280

If you tell what you like there are several Born Free owners in the area - I am sure they have more than I do

[Ray]

Hi John - Sam is right, coming down the river side there are several casinos you can stay at - no hook up that I know of and no parks that I know of - Clinton Iowa has a nice lot to stay in , as well as Bettendorf Iowa, and Rock Island Illinois

The problem I have with staying at casinos is that I tell my friends I do that because they are safe and free - But, It seems like everytime I stay free at one of them it ends up costing me about a hundred dollars ------ maybe I should stay in the RV - LOL

[Dallas Baillio]

At West Branch Herbert Hoover's birthplace, grave and museum. Beautiful grounds, quite and peaceful. Probably in your plans already.

The grotto Sam mentions is at West Bend not far from Humboldt. Most likely too far out of your way. Fun to visit and to me, strange.

If you have time the Gerald Ford Presidential Library along with his grave is in Grand Rapids, MI. It may be too far off your route, but well worth it if you can make the detour. Since I lived through that time I found it very interesting. Learned that during his term the US had not only an unelected president but an unelected vice-president as well!

[Dallas Baillio]

Just outside Dubuque, near Dyersville, is the baseball field where "Field Of Dreams" was filmed. Have not been there but alway wanted to stop by.

In Spillville about 90 miles to the northwest of Dubuque and near Decorah, is a small museum highlighting the summer of 1893 when Czech composer Antonin Dvorak visited. If his name does not ring a bell, he wrote the "New World Symphony." I recall he said Spillville, a tiny Czech community, reminded him of his home.

[iowaride]

Here is a link to the Iowa Tourism Guide. You can view it online or order a print copy. It divides the state into regions and tries to highlight events for the coming year and places of interest. It also includes RV parks and campground listings. http://www.traveliowa.com/

http://www.dyersville.org/pdf/VisitorsGuide12.pdf
If in Dyersville, don't miss the beautiful twin-spired Basilica of St. Francis Xavier as well as the Field of Dreams, which is a few miles outside of the town.

In both Iowa and Illinois, all along the Mississippi River there are various state and/or county parks with camping-just google to see which is closest to your proposed route.

If you stop in Spillville, to visit the Dvorak site, try to visit the Bily Clock Museum. See the very interesting and beautiful carved clocks these bachelor farmers created.
http://visitiowa.org/business/bily-cloc ... hibit.html
iowaride
east coast of Iowa

[shilohdad]

I'm sure I'll think of more things, but 2 that stick out in my mind from our trip through Iowa are:

- The Matchstick Marvel Museum in Gladbrook, http://www.matchstickmarvels.com. There are over 50 models of various things (space shuttle, U.S. Capitol, etc.) made solely of matchsticks glued together. We went there because we were sort of seeing everything and figured why not. It was marvelous. We spent a couple of hours there.

- Pella, IA, has a working full-size reproduction of an old Dutch windmill (guided tours available and I recommend it), with an adjacent miniatures museum, both quite nice. There is also the Pella window HQ, and they might have factory tours (we did not do this and did not check into it). The town is also just downright pretty. Also there is Ulrich's Meat Market. I am not a big bologna fan, but their bologna is to die for. Evidently it is a must stop for any presidential candidates in the run-up to the Iowa caucuses.

Joe

[ddpjep]

If you go to Pella, Iowa, stop by the world famous Jaarsma Bakery and buy some Dutch letters. Former Leap'n Lions members Howard and Ethel Jaarsma were founders of the bakery and their nephew owns it now. The Jaarsmas donated a big batch of Dutch letters to a rally at the Born Free factory a few years ago. Howard and Ethel still live in Pella and everybody in town knows them.

[jobrien]

Thank you everyone. I'm printing out this thread and will see where things are on the map.

We will be stopping at Flexsteel, for the second time. Last year we had the firmer foam put in, but now we have to replace the couch seat cover itself.

Seems like the dogs flea and tick preventative did not agree with the ultraleather and left a mark on it. So it will be replaced.

John

[Ray]

I live in Iowa - and I am going to print out this thread and see where everything is. I have heard of some of the recomendations but not all.

Born Free owners and this Forum are just the best !!!!

[Hawkeye111]

Pikes Peak State Park near MacGregor north of Dubuque is beautiful, and totally unexpected for flatland Iowa. Call early for reservations, it is usually booked far ahead.