Dubuque - Prairie

Dubuque, Iowa - Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin

August 6 - The GPS is giving me a choice of three different routes and I’m not sure which to follow.  I have a little trouble with the directions getting out of Dubuque and across the Mississippi River and on my way, but it works out.  

At Dickeyville, Iowa, I stop for the amazing Holly Ghost Parish Church with its extremely ornate Grotto and Shrines. This was built by a priest in1918- 1931.

The rocks and gems in the construction are amazing

There may be some more recent additions ?

Driving out of town, a huge solar array off the road

Next stop is Lancaster, Wisconsin:

Court House

Opera House

Post Office

Another stop at Stizer, Wisconsin:

Huge grain silos are everywhere

Next stop was Fennimore, Wisconsin:

Old Railroad Depot -Museum

Old Steam Locomotive

As I drive into Prairie du Chien my first priority is to see the Mississippi River.  I take Blackhawk Avenue across the bridge to St. Feriole Island.  This Island was once the townsite which was the epicenter of the North American fur trade period.  It was built by Hercules Dousman who started as a clerk for fur trade kingpin Joseph Rolette.  He eventually worked his way to the top and became one of the wealthiest men in Wisconsin.  There are a few other historic buildings remaining here from this French Canadian beaver trade period.  This island which also was once a military fort is is now a huge city park. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prairie_du_Chien,_Wisconsin

August 7 -  I start my day going across the two Mississippi River bridges to Marquette, Iowa.  It is right on the Mississippi River front with the beautiful view of the Casino Queen Boat and Hotel.  I stop and explore for a while, it’s a great view.

The river bridge is impressive from any angle

A good thought

Emma must have been someone special

I then drive a few miles to the Effigy Mounds National Monument.  I get there just in time to get on a unexpected guided walking tour. It turned out to be a long, but slow uphill hike through dense forest.  The tour guide was extremely good, but possibly a little too thorough extending the length of the tour.  People on these tours tend to be educated and ask lots of question and the tour guide overly explained everything, making me wish that I had missed the guided tour.  

There are hundreds of these Mounds in this part of the country, but they are not really very exciting to look at, in most cases they are rather small.  They no longer do archeology of the mounds, instead they use ground penetrating radar to look for artifact or burials.  If any exposed relics are found, the tribes are consulted who usually re bury them as they consider them sacred.  The view of the river from the top of the hiking trail was great however very hazy due to the Canadian forest fires.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effigy_Mounds_National_Monument

These are mounds

Some mounds are shaped like animals hence the names

They did not listen

I then went back to Prairie du Chien to roam around the downtown area until it was time for the Villa Louis house tour.  The tour guide was excellent and the Mansion was beyond expectations.  Approximately 90 % of the interior furnishings are the original pieces, also for the most part the paint and wallpaper was redone using the exact colors of the original mansion.  The original furniture that had been held by various family members was almost all returned back to the house when it was turned into a museum.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Villa_Louis

It is a beautiful house with things years ahead of its time

The original desk of Hercules Dousman

The house is under renovation

After this, there was a craft show on the river front and a local benefit food event with beer, corn on the cob and watermelon, really good stuff !

This bar looks like the original train depot ?

A brat, corn, watermelon and a farm rescue beer

I then return to  downtown Prairie du Chien where I find a live music jam session going on at the Tavern Bar which is filled with people, there were many local players, all okay and a few who were quite good.

It's a nice old school rowdy bar atmosphere

It’s then back on a side street for the night until about 4:30 AM when city workers start making a lot of noise across the street which cuts my sleep short.

I’m excited now to be heading in the morning to Lanesboro, Minnesota to visit my old New Jersey buddy Gordon Tindall and his wife Van for a few days.