Saturday, September 9 - Still in Dubuque

We made a decision to spend an extra day in Dubuque, as we have decided to slow our schedule just a bit to stay a very safe distance from the effects of Hurricane Irma.  Our hearts go out to all of the people and communities of Florida and the Caribbean.💗

Took a long bike ride around this beautiful town on Friday afternoon.  The first site was The Shot Tower.  It was constructed in 1856 to manufacture lead shot ammunition.  It is one of only a few remaining historic shot towers in the United States and the only one west of the Mississippi River.

Besides checking out many marinas in town, we visited the Fenelon Place Elevator.  It is described as the world's shortest, steepest scenic railway; 296 feet in length and elevating passengers 189 feet from Fourth Street to Fenelon Place where you see a magnificent view of the historic Dubuque

business district, the Mississippi River and three states (Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois) - I'm taking their word for it, as neither Dave or I wanted to ride the elevator! 

After riding for a few hours, we treated ourselves to a well-deserved ice cream cone!  While enjoying our treat, we saw many murals painted on the sides of buildings in the downtown area.

We came back to the marina to find the canoeists that we met earlier this week in Lock 9, caught up with us.  They met up with a gentleman who I believe was giving them a night's stay.  Hopefully we'll get to talk with them more before we leave.

 

Today we took in the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, which is right at the Ice Harbor where we're staying.  What a beautiful museum filled with so much history and current information about rivers in the United States, but focusing mostly on the Mississippi River.  This museum is a must for any boater or any of my former G/T students that studied the 

"Big River Journey" with me!😊 ⚓

The steam-powered sternwheeler below is a working-powered replica of the Julia Belle Swain in LaCrosse.  She was one of the last of many boats produced by the Dubuque Boat and Boiler Works; built in 1971 and powered by an enginefrom 1915.  The real boat is in renovations and is scheduled to be complete sometime next summer.

Dave and I enjoyed listening to some of the calliope music like we hear from the 

modern paddle wheelers on the Mississippi.

Tomorrow, cruising southbound! 💗⚓