We left our campground this morning sept 20th 2022 and toured some of the town of Dubuque.
First we had a traveling companion
We made it to the mines of Spain and went for a little hike. Mitch appeased me, as I Just really liked the name.
Building at the mines of Spain in Dubuque IowaThe history about the family that built itThe trailBack up the stepsIt’s an optical illusion folks, it’s his belt! But.. he cracks me up. hahahaha Can you guess what mitch is thinking? See below for answer We encountered a frog on the way back up, can you see him?The buildings downtown in Dubuque IowaBtw.. some people don’t pick up after there dogs in this state either. Guess that’s a universal thing.We went to a few thrift stores Crossing over the Mississippi River towards Wisconsin Wild flowers at Mines of Spain
It’s a muggy evening, we’re currently in governor Dodge state park in Wisconsin. We are staying at Twin Valley campground. Did I mention it was muggy. Humid. Sticky. Icky. It’s almost 10 pm and the temperature is 77 degrees. The nature has a different rhythm, not so loud, a more rhythmic song. I think it’s frogs and cicadas..
Video of the night songs in Wisconsin
Answer to what Mitch was thinking… I still have cooked bacon in the freezer, I think I’ll have a bacon sandwich for dinner tonight.
9/18/2022 we stayed at Cherry Glen campground near Polk City Iowa, I made the reservations a couple hours before we got there, and all we had to do was was pull in and the gentleman checked off our names.
That’s where Harvy was parked site #7
They had water- potable and non potable water, a flushing station, showers and some super loud cicada’s. Mitch’s favorite campground so far.
Off we go, towards Dyersville, Iowa to see where they filmed Field of DreamsWe stopped into Waterloo, Iowa for a bit of thrift store shopping. This Goodwill has great prices! While waiting for Mitch at Chick-Fil-A in Waterloo (our first time ever having it, btw Yum) I made reservations to tour the house at field of dreams. And yes, we stopped into Waterloo because of the song, even though it wasn’t about this townThe house was originally built in the late 1800’s The old TV… I remember having to turn the dial as a kid before they invited the remote They originally titled the movie after the book, Shoeless Joe, but decide to change the title before releasing the movie. You can actually rent the house to stay the night Signed photo by the actors The original stove that was in the movie The have bats, balls and gloves for you to use Kevin Costner carved this into the bleachers between takes during the filming of the movie View from the bleachersWe signed the guest registerThe new owner has big plans for the future.. if you want to see it before all the changes, go soon. For now they are only asking for donations, and it’s $20 per person for a tour inside the house If you build it, they will come
It was a special experience. The calmness that surrounds the grounds, the pristine grass, everyone there for the love of the game, the movie… some both. I cherished every second. Mitch and I brought own out mit and ball, then we realized they had bats. We hit a few balls and next thing you know we had an audience. A bus tour group of elderly folks filled the bleachers. They asked me to take a picture and I was delighted to oblige.
Ball signed by James Earl JonesThey even have a selfie stick in the ground where you can put your phone to take a picture
We head further east to find a place for the night. Mitch found an RV park called Hoot Owl Hollow Campgrounds near Dubuque Iowa. On our way there we passed a beautiful church.
Church near Dyersville Iowa
As we turned the corner there was a cemetery behind it. Intrigued by the elaborate headstones, we stopped.
This person died in 1888 To walk a cemetery, seeing how long ago they lived always fills me with more questions than answers and reminds me to cherish this short time on earth. Sunset at the cemetery
We pull into the RV park, call the number on the door and settle in for the night. As we walked to the drop box to pay for the night I see a basketball hoop and a couple balls on the ground. Another opportunity to check off a bucket list item… play “pig” with my man. yup, just to play a little basketball with Mitch has been something I’ve wanted to do since we began dating, so like 16 years. I almost had him with a hook shot, double or nothin, but of course he nailed it.
Sunset in IowaMitch had his own bucket list check off today, walking through a corn field.
Sometimes in life, the most meaningful and special memories have nothing to do with money or anything extravagant. It’s the little things, a corn field, a basketball or a movie about faith and baseball.
Years ago, when I was delivering mail in Medical Lake, WA a women on my route told me about this amazing zoo In Nebraska. Since then, it’d been in the back of my mind in hopes that someday we could experience it. Me, being me, I couldn’t remember the name of the zoo, but I did recall her saying it’s one of the largest zoos in the world! So I began searching.
The world larges desert dome
I found it, The Omaha’s Henry Doorley Zoo and aquarium in Omaha Nebraska. As I began reading on their website I found that they offer an overnight stay to sleep next to the lion enclosure.
It’s a 21 and over program, which includes dinner, drinks, a private guided tour of parts of the zoo, an overnight stay, breakfast and some time at the zoo before it opens.
I was really looking forward to the opportunity, and booked it months ago. So on September 17th 2022 at 5:45 pm along with 14 other people, we all met in the education building at the zoo.
Our tent was closest to the lions, you could see them out the back tent screenNap time You can see the fence for the lions on the right. The cuddle bear is wearing blue 🙂 We just had dinner and the guide was telling us that next we’d be going to some of the exhibits Baby elephant, did you know that elephants are pregnant for 22 months!! The weather brought lightning, and we had to take the tour inside until the security said it was safe to go back to our tentsDown under with the gators we went I think he’s smiling at meTurtle turtleSeriously, they drink blood!The weather was clearing slower than this sloth and it was possible that we wouldn’t be able to go back to our tents for the night
They got us into a theater room, tried to play a movie to pass the time, but that wasn’t working either. Someone in the group (yes, it was me) suggested we play charades to pass the time. Thankfully, soon after, we got the all clear to head back to our campsite.
Time for s’mores
The lighting stayed far enough away, but still gave us an awesome light show!
Time to head to bed, in hopes that we’d hear them at night. The guide said they usually start around 3 in the morning Turn up your volume and press the open button to hear the lions!! We got to see them feed the lions, this is them when they see the staff bring in the food The aquarium; they also have a family overnight available to sleep here“It’s a zoo out there!” Says Mr. fishThe above ground domeYou can feed the giraffes Owl stands on one foot, as they regulate their body temp through the feetRed panda Cheetah Monkeys and fishFlamingoI named this guy poofy head birdI don’t think he likes being watched all the time. I wonder if they gave him a smart phone if he’d play bubble pop… or watch tik-tok??Here he is contemplating the meaning of his lifeI wonder if the gorilla would like to have butterflies in his world? He just seemed so sadI didn’t know… did you?These are stick insects, if you look closely you’ll see themTree toppers restaurant, they serve hotdogs, salads and such. The monkeys are hiding from us this day, but they say they’re thereThey have a skyfari you can ride, a train and so much more The end
We arrived at Buffalo Bill’s on September 16th, 2022
Buffalo Bill’s home for 30 years His favorite chairAnnie Oakley View from the pathHow they kept food coolThe spring that kept food coolThe cabin that bill built with a friendI think we go.. that way
After seeing the house, we were ready to call it a day. Thankfully there’s a campground just down the road to stay at. It’s old school, no online reservations, just fill out the form when you get there.
Buffalo Bill’s state park campground We stayed at site 17, such a peaceful and well kept campground
The weather seemed ominous as the wind picked up, so we began to wonder about tornados and we checked online.
Bad weather makes for great pictures Strobe light show like no other!It was pitch black, hailing, raining, and when the lightening would strike it lit up the campground Mitch got this picture standing next to the RVLightening stormThe next morning was serene We sat at this bench and enjoyed the sunrise
Thankfully there was no tornado, and we headed east to Omaha Nebraska.
Goin' Road Trippin' 