We weren't sure how successful we'd be on our annual trip out to the Mississippi River to see the bald eagles because of the lateness of the winter and the wonderful winter we are having this year, finally.
Perhaps the eagles didn't need to come down this far south to feed and since there probably wasn't any ice on the river, they wouldn't be congregating by the lock and dams as much.
Not so, though.
We found bald eagles right away at our first stop at he Dubuque, Iowa, lock and dam. At least we wouldn't be shut out. We finally found a bald eagle in the tree by the park by the Bellevue lock and dam. We hadn't seen one there in the last five or so years. This is where we first got a real close up look at one on our first eagle trip way back when.
By the end of the day, we had counted a total of 62 bald eagles, including one floating downriver on a log in Clinton.
Stayed at the LaQuinta in Davenport, had drinks at Applebees, Miller Time and Kelly's and grazed at the Golden Corral. Came back and enjoyed the pool.
A Good Day for Seeing Eagles. --RoadDog
Being an account of some things I'm interested in, what I'm doing, and reflections on my past, especially music.
Listen to this man. Seven years of college, you know. Trying to reason with 2020 and, now, 2022.
Showing posts with label Midsummer Mississippi River Trip 2010. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Midsummer Mississippi River Trip 2010. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 7, 2012
Monday, July 19, 2010
Midsummer Mississippi River Trip 2010-- Part 3
July 17th, we drove out to Blanding's Landing by the Mississippi River looking for the street rods, but they never showed up. We then drove to Hanover, Illinois, where we met up with some of them in town and followed them out to one of the most impressive wineries I've ever seen, Rocky Waters Vineyard.
We then drove to Elizabeth and saw a parade and then got lost going to another winery called Massbach Ridge but got some really good Elizabeth Wine. We went back to Elizabeth and went to its community fair.
BACK TO GALENA
Went to the Grape Escape on Main Street in Galena and watched Johnny Rocker perform for several hours during the afternoon. He put on a really great show.
Then back to Grant Hills Motel and sat outside the room and talked all evening with three couples. This is something that just doesn't happen at today's motels, just at the old Mom and Pops.
All day we drove on a variety of roads ranging from gravel, seal coated gravel and so-called secondary roads. We got to see some mighty impressive scenery driving around Jo Davies County.
Nothing Like Getting Off the Roads More Traveled. --RoadDog
REMEMBER WHEN you got your soda pop in glass bottles from machines?
We then drove to Elizabeth and saw a parade and then got lost going to another winery called Massbach Ridge but got some really good Elizabeth Wine. We went back to Elizabeth and went to its community fair.
BACK TO GALENA
Went to the Grape Escape on Main Street in Galena and watched Johnny Rocker perform for several hours during the afternoon. He put on a really great show.
Then back to Grant Hills Motel and sat outside the room and talked all evening with three couples. This is something that just doesn't happen at today's motels, just at the old Mom and Pops.
All day we drove on a variety of roads ranging from gravel, seal coated gravel and so-called secondary roads. We got to see some mighty impressive scenery driving around Jo Davies County.
Nothing Like Getting Off the Roads More Traveled. --RoadDog
REMEMBER WHEN you got your soda pop in glass bottles from machines?
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Midsummer Mississippi River trip 2010-- Part 2
This are the short version of what we did each day. The longer version will be at http://roaddogsroadlog.blogspot.com.
July 16th-- Friday
The Best Western Frontier Inn in Clinton, Iowa, has one of the best included breakfasts of any place we've ever been. Even Liz will get up for this one. And that very rarely happens. We also enjoyed the inside pool and hot tub.
We were delayed leaving when Liz couldn't find Sally, our GPR. Looked all over and even went to all the places we went to in Clinton yesterday, but didn't find it.
Crossed the Mississippi into Fulton, Illinois, and drove Il-84 to Savanna (No "H" here in Illinois) and then took US-52 back into Iowa and up to Dubuque. This is one beautiful drive. Played NTN at Courtside in Dubuque then drove to Galena, got our room at the Grant Hills Motel, a Mom and Pop Motel dating from the late 40s.
IT'S A GALENA THING
We then drove back to Galena and played NTN at another new-to-us place called the Flying Horse. I saw some folks had ordered something that looked like a different sort of pizza and asked what it was. The bartender told me it was called a flat bread, so ordered a steak Alfredo one and I strongly recommend it.
Had two beers there, two more at the VFW and talked to some folks from Crystal Lake (near where we live) who have moved out to Galena. Then, one more beer at Benjamin's and back to the motel where we sat out by the pool and talked with some people.
By the way, Liz found Sally in one of her suitcases within seconds after we got to Grant Hills
Another Really Good Day on the Road. --RoadDog
REMEMBER WHEN you drank colored sugar water from Coke-shaped wax bottles?
July 16th-- Friday
The Best Western Frontier Inn in Clinton, Iowa, has one of the best included breakfasts of any place we've ever been. Even Liz will get up for this one. And that very rarely happens. We also enjoyed the inside pool and hot tub.
We were delayed leaving when Liz couldn't find Sally, our GPR. Looked all over and even went to all the places we went to in Clinton yesterday, but didn't find it.
Crossed the Mississippi into Fulton, Illinois, and drove Il-84 to Savanna (No "H" here in Illinois) and then took US-52 back into Iowa and up to Dubuque. This is one beautiful drive. Played NTN at Courtside in Dubuque then drove to Galena, got our room at the Grant Hills Motel, a Mom and Pop Motel dating from the late 40s.
IT'S A GALENA THING
We then drove back to Galena and played NTN at another new-to-us place called the Flying Horse. I saw some folks had ordered something that looked like a different sort of pizza and asked what it was. The bartender told me it was called a flat bread, so ordered a steak Alfredo one and I strongly recommend it.
Had two beers there, two more at the VFW and talked to some folks from Crystal Lake (near where we live) who have moved out to Galena. Then, one more beer at Benjamin's and back to the motel where we sat out by the pool and talked with some people.
By the way, Liz found Sally in one of her suitcases within seconds after we got to Grant Hills
Another Really Good Day on the Road. --RoadDog
REMEMBER WHEN you drank colored sugar water from Coke-shaped wax bottles?
Friday, July 16, 2010
Midsummer Mississippi River Trip 2010-- Part 1
Left home yesterday and drove to Clinton, Iowa, where we spent the night.
From Byron, Illinois, to Dixon, we drove along the beautiful Rock River on Illinois Highway 2. We stopped at Lowden State Park and saw the impressive 100-year-old 50-foot Blackhawk Statue. That is the first time I ever saw it on land (I did see it several weeks ago on a boat in the river.
Looked around the neat old town of Oregon then drove to Dixon where we picked up the Lincoln Highway and took it the rest of the way to Iowa.
Once across the Mississippi in Clinton, we stopped for a couple-three beers at Bonnie's Scenic Tap and when we told the bartender we were there to see the Class A Midwest League Clinton Lumber Kings play, she gave us two tickets.
Checked into the Best Western, then drove back to Clinton and ate at a favorite place of ours, J&D Steakhouse where we met the chairman of the Lumber Kings and talked with him a bit.
At the game, we had general admission seats, but the chairman saw us and invited us to sit in his box seats. Had a great conversation with him, but, unfortunately, the Lumber Kings lost.
Came back to the Best Western and had a couple night caps in the hotel bar.
Pretty Good Day. --RoadDog
REMEMBER WHEN you ate candy cigarettes?
From Byron, Illinois, to Dixon, we drove along the beautiful Rock River on Illinois Highway 2. We stopped at Lowden State Park and saw the impressive 100-year-old 50-foot Blackhawk Statue. That is the first time I ever saw it on land (I did see it several weeks ago on a boat in the river.
Looked around the neat old town of Oregon then drove to Dixon where we picked up the Lincoln Highway and took it the rest of the way to Iowa.
Once across the Mississippi in Clinton, we stopped for a couple-three beers at Bonnie's Scenic Tap and when we told the bartender we were there to see the Class A Midwest League Clinton Lumber Kings play, she gave us two tickets.
Checked into the Best Western, then drove back to Clinton and ate at a favorite place of ours, J&D Steakhouse where we met the chairman of the Lumber Kings and talked with him a bit.
At the game, we had general admission seats, but the chairman saw us and invited us to sit in his box seats. Had a great conversation with him, but, unfortunately, the Lumber Kings lost.
Came back to the Best Western and had a couple night caps in the hotel bar.
Pretty Good Day. --RoadDog
REMEMBER WHEN you ate candy cigarettes?
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