May 22, 2014 Pikes Peak IOWA, Prairie du Chien

May 22, 2014

Nice morning, 54 degrees and sunny.

We have come a bit “inland”, so start back towards the Mississippi and Guttenberg, taking small roads.  We see a sign for Fountain Springs Park and decide to stop and have breakfast.  (Since Beth has a medication to take which requires at least ½ hr before eating, we usually have some kind of activity before breakfast.)

A few miles down dirt roads and we reach a pull out area.  There is a gate there that says the road, such as it is, is closed due to flooding.  We continue on foot and can see why the road is closed, as the stream has eroded part of the road.  There is also a large tree across the road further on. 

Interesting thistle

gold finch - state bird of Iowa

There are lots of birds in the area and we catch sight of what we later learn are Orioles – beautiful orange, as well as yellow birds we find are gold finches – the Iowa state bird.  They are noted for flying erratically and indeed never seem to go in a straight line!

As we are returning to the Trek, a DNR – department of natural resources – guy comes by in a pick-up truck.  We ask a few questions and this guy is a veritable fountain of information.  He is out this morning stocking trout streams and we learn about fishing, area hatcheries, eagles, and a few good places to eat.  He talks about loving this area of Iowa which is part of the “Driftless Area” – a triangular area of Iowa and Wisconsin that was not smoothed by glacier activity, so remains hilly and craggy and heavily wooded.  A far cry from the flat cornfields most people associate with Iowa. He disappears for a while while we have breakfast of cereal and blueberries and then he is back. 

He shows us some of the fish he is stocking – beautiful rainbow trout and brook trout about a year and half old, 12 “ or so. Meanwhile, a few fishermen have showed up and the one we can see seems to be pulling out those stocked fish pretty quickly.  There is a 5 fish limit, which he reaches in probably 30 minutes.

rainbow trout

brook trout

trout fisherman

As we are leaving, we stop to watch orioles and one of the fishermen we had said hi to earlier pulls along side us and we have a nice conversation through the vehicle windows.  He is a grounds-keeper for several companies, loves fishing and talks about various people he has fished with – one a guy named Bert who is on oxygen.  One day Bert disappeared  “Where’s Bert?” and they expected to find him in the stream somewhere, only to discover he went down the road a piece with some other fishermen.   Stream of consciousness conversation J.   He has relatives in Texas .  He says he’ll be back tomorrow morning at 6:30 for five more fish and finally drives off.

We pass a sign at Colesburg that says “Welcome to Hill Country”.

We arrive in Guttenburg to find a train blocking the main street.  A local man tells us there has been an accident and tells us how to get around the train.  Guttenburg is right on the river and we stop at a River Fisheries Management Station which has some aquariums of local fish.  No people around. 

The Welcome center next door is open and we chat briefly with the folks there.  They confirm that the river has crested and is going down now.  We drive a short distance over to Lock and Dam #10 and take a look.  Nice little town.

We turn down a country road toward the river and again find a road closed due to flooding.  We walk in a ways .  Interesting reflections among the trees that are now surrounded by water.  Water bugs, ducks, etc.  From what we have read, this backwater is crucial to some wildlife and the life of the river.

We head north, through terraced fields and cattle.  Beginning to see more dairy farms.  Greg comments that there are a lot of American flags on display in this area.

 Scratch 'n' Sniff of the day:  Iowa Beef - and I don't mean steak, if you get my drift...

Reminder of other seasons...

We reach Pikes Peak State Park, a lovely park on high bluffs above the Mississippi.  Named for Zebulon Pike, like the Colorado Peak, as he came this way and selected this site for a fort in 1805.   The Park is 500 feet above the river and looks across to the confluence with the Wisconsin River.   The river is “braided” at this point, dividing into several channels.  We watch a barge make its way toward Marquette.

We watch hummingbirds at feeders here and are surprised to see Orioles occasionally raiding the hummingbird feeders. 

Talk with some folks from Cedar Rapids who are camping here and we decide this might be a good place to spend the night.  We register, shower and do some housekeeping. While in the shower Greg meets a guy who is WALKING the Great River Road.  He has 700 miles to go and figures it will take another month.  When asked why he was doing it, he said because he is interested and able!

We take a  little drive across the river, through McGregor, past Lady Luck Casino with its Pink Elephant, to Prairie du Chien. 

  This is famous for the site of the annual Rendezvous where fur traders, Indians and others came to trade and socialize.  

Then  we head west to Gunder for a Gunderburger dinner.  This was recommended by the DNR fish man, and seconded by the Prairie du Chien welcome center person.

We find the Irish Shantie in Gunder and chat with a man who is wearing their T-shirt and about to leave.  Turns out he is the owner!    The Gunderburger is huge, so Greg and I share one.  We also have American Fries, which are sliced potatoes grilled with onions and cheese.  Very good flavor and so much that we save some of the burger and potatoes for tomorrow's breakfast.  There are only 2 others there when we arrive, but by the time we leave there are 16 others - only a few "youngsters" our age or younger :)

Back to the Trek, Pikes Peak and a pleasant evening.