This giant paddle wheel is outside the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium in Dubuque, Iowa. It was from the historic steamboat William M. Black, and is now permanently moored at the museum. The vessel was built in 1934 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and used 1930s steam technology to help maintain navigable waterways.
Could one of these be Tobey's next destination??
His route had lots of elevation gain and we weren’t sure about the road conditions so we planned stops about every 10 miles. Our first stop was at a road intersection and he was doing great and the road and trail conditions were much better today!
He saw some interesting sights along the way – and this was probably my favorite! You have to love people with a sense of humor.
His trail was off the main road and on trails or very small road so he was able to stop and take pictures as he went.
Another 6 miles down the road in Saint Donatus he stopped for a snack. It is known as a “Luxembourgish village” in America. It was settled in the 1840s by immigrants from Luxembourg and many of the current residents (120 according to the 2020 census!) are descendants of those early pioneers. We stopped in the huge parking lot of the Historic Gehlen Stone Barn which has the European stone-style of construction. It’s now a brewery and event venue.
We decided to meet at the Pleasant Creek Recreation area for lunch. These are some of his views along his route for most of the way.
He also spotted this old truck.
We both went by this park on the way into Bellevue and I hoped he would stop to take a picture. "Why?" you ask. We had a very good friend named John Henry. He holds a very special place in Tobey’s heart and we miss him since he passed away.
On the way I stopped in Bellevue, Iowa to check out the Lock and Dam No. 12 but also walked around their Veteran’s plaza first. It was impressive!
The Lock and Dam had lots of information and an elevated viewing platform so you could actually see the lock and dam! Downstream from the dam there were lots of pelicans in the water and quite a few fishermen.
After Bellevue the shoulder was gone once again, but there wasn’t much traffic so he just rode in the road. At Pleasant Creek we had a nice break for lunch and he rested a while before going on. We originally had planned to camp here, but it was only 12:30 and he felt good so we opted to keep going.
Could one of these be Tobey's next destination??
This morning Tobey was ready to ride by 8:00am – and yes – he has his mirror!
His route had lots of elevation gain and we weren’t sure about the road conditions so we planned stops about every 10 miles. Our first stop was at a road intersection and he was doing great and the road and trail conditions were much better today!
He saw some interesting sights along the way – and this was probably my favorite! You have to love people with a sense of humor.
His trail was off the main road and on trails or very small road so he was able to stop and take pictures as he went.
Another 6 miles down the road in Saint Donatus he stopped for a snack. It is known as a “Luxembourgish village” in America. It was settled in the 1840s by immigrants from Luxembourg and many of the current residents (120 according to the 2020 census!) are descendants of those early pioneers. We stopped in the huge parking lot of the Historic Gehlen Stone Barn which has the European stone-style of construction. It’s now a brewery and event venue.
We decided to meet at the Pleasant Creek Recreation area for lunch. These are some of his views along his route for most of the way.
He also spotted this old truck.
We both went by this park on the way into Bellevue and I hoped he would stop to take a picture. "Why?" you ask. We had a very good friend named John Henry. He holds a very special place in Tobey’s heart and we miss him since he passed away.
On the way I stopped in Bellevue, Iowa to check out the Lock and Dam No. 12 but also walked around their Veteran’s plaza first. It was impressive!
The Lock and Dam had lots of information and an elevated viewing platform so you could actually see the lock and dam! Downstream from the dam there were lots of pelicans in the water and quite a few fishermen.
After Bellevue the shoulder was gone once again, but there wasn’t much traffic so he just rode in the road. At Pleasant Creek we had a nice break for lunch and he rested a while before going on. We originally had planned to camp here, but it was only 12:30 and he felt good so we opted to keep going.
A little ways down the road his route took him onto this gravel road for a couple miles. Unlucky for him, just before he got to the railroad tracks, the arm came down and he had to wait for the train.
Here are some other shots from his ride.
I went on to Savanna, Illinois with a short stop at Driscoll’s Island. There wasn’t much to see, but there were some egrets.
Here are some other shots from his ride.
I went on to Savanna, Illinois with a short stop at Driscoll’s Island. There wasn’t much to see, but there were some egrets.
As Tobey came into Savanna, he took some more pictures.
I'm not sure how I missed this on my way into town, but he didn't even offer to go back and get some!
This was here in Savanna.
Facemakers, Inc., is a Savanna, Illinois based costume manufacturer founded in 1972 that designs and builds custom mascots for schools, corporate brands, and sports teams worldwide. They are well known as the official licensed maker of the U.S. Forest Service’s Smokey the Bear costume! It's crazy that a company this large operates in a town with a population of less than 3000 people!
After Tobey got here he was still feeling good so after a short break we both took off on our bikes for a 20-mile round trip ride on the trail from the Savanna Marina/Great River Trailhead to the Thomson Causeway Recreation Area. It was mostly paved and runs along the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
I'm not sure how I missed this on my way into town, but he didn't even offer to go back and get some!
This was here in Savanna.
Facemakers, Inc., is a Savanna, Illinois based costume manufacturer founded in 1972 that designs and builds custom mascots for schools, corporate brands, and sports teams worldwide. They are well known as the official licensed maker of the U.S. Forest Service’s Smokey the Bear costume! It's crazy that a company this large operates in a town with a population of less than 3000 people!
After Tobey got here he was still feeling good so after a short break we both took off on our bikes for a 20-mile round trip ride on the trail from the Savanna Marina/Great River Trailhead to the Thomson Causeway Recreation Area. It was mostly paved and runs along the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge.
Much of it was heavily shaded and mostly flat. One section said it wasn’t paved. Well, it’s not gravel, either. It is a long, wooden bridge and it was quite jarring!
We did go by wetlands and saw herons, egrets, and lots of unusual plants.
Later we were on a small road with very little traffic and a HUGE field of pumpkins. We even went by a house giving away free tomatoes. They weren’t big – shaped more like a Roma tomato, but very tasty.
Back to the RV and it was time to fix dinner since I had an online book club meeting tonight. After book club, Tobey went for a short walk and then we both went out to see the stars. It was beautiful and we both wished our RV had a hot tub here to go out and relax in!
It was a good day. Tobey rode 75.6 miles (three-quarters of a century) and I rode just over 20. Tomorrow we will drive to the trailhead we stopped at and Tobey will begin his ride there.
We did go by wetlands and saw herons, egrets, and lots of unusual plants.
Later we were on a small road with very little traffic and a HUGE field of pumpkins. We even went by a house giving away free tomatoes. They weren’t big – shaped more like a Roma tomato, but very tasty.
Back to the RV and it was time to fix dinner since I had an online book club meeting tonight. After book club, Tobey went for a short walk and then we both went out to see the stars. It was beautiful and we both wished our RV had a hot tub here to go out and relax in!
It was a good day. Tobey rode 75.6 miles (three-quarters of a century) and I rode just over 20. Tomorrow we will drive to the trailhead we stopped at and Tobey will begin his ride there.
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