THE PORT OF DUBUQUE

We moved on to Couler Valley RV's where we parked for two nights while they did a few minor repairs, yearly upkeep procedures, and cleaned the carpet. While we waited, we visited Grandma, went for a walk, visited brother-in-law John at the hospital, did genealogy research at the library, and ate lunch at Bricktown. It was kind of a rainy day, but we squeezed a walk between spurts. There is a riverboat called the Twilight that runs a two day cruise from Dubuque to Davenport and back, and it was docked, so we got to see it.

Looking ahead at the Grand Harbor Hotel and WaterPark, the Convention Center, the old Dubuque Star Brewery and the railroad bridge.

Looking back at the Twilight and the bridge to East Dubuque.

A little wildlife along the way.

A train came across the track.

We could see the train coming through the tunnel in East Dubuque.

FROM MY FRONT DOOR

Since my house has wheels, the view out my front window or door changes all the time. Can't beat that! We went on to Dubuque and stayed one night at Miller Park. Here's a view of the Mississippi out my front door in the morning.



Here's one of my new neighbors.

END OF A WEEKEND

It's always amazing how fast time flies when you're having fun with friends, and this weekend was no different. I told them how many deer we saw in the campground before they came, and of course, we didn't see anymore-even after they left. But, I do have something to share that they missed. About two hours later, we heard a funny sound and it suddenly dawned on me what it was-so I grabbed the camera and went to the door. Right above our awning, was a hot air balloon. They even waved at me. Kind of neat!

A GARDEN STORE

Next we went to a garden store in a barn in the same area. They also had a garden with two doves in a cage.

I was able to catch a picture of a butterfly enjoying the garden.



Inside the barn were many antiques, floral items and things for your gardens.

FLYING FROG HOSTA GARDENS

Next on the agenda was the Flying Frog Hosta Gardens, right down the road from the winery. They had something like 900 kinds of hostas displayed in gardens behind their house. If you couldn't find what you wanted in the ones for sale, they were willing to dig them up for you. It would be very hard to decide your favorites.

SUMMERSET WINERY

Kathy was our activity director for the weekend, so we were off to the Summerset Winery near Indianola. She picked a perfect time of the year, since they were starting to harvest the grapes, and we got to watch a little of the process. It's a nice place, with a building with a tasting room/salesroom, and a room for parties overlooking the vineyard. Upstairs they have a larger room used for dances, wedding receptions, etc.



They had a "deal" for the day for people who paid $25, and you could help pick grapes and you got a free breakfast and lunch, a t-shirt, and some other goodies. We watched some of them bring in their grapes and watch them being weighed.

Then they're raked into this machine which actually picks them, and spits out the vines-amazing!

The grapes then go down the hose to the machine in the prior picture, and are squeezed to get the juice. Not as much fun or messy as "stomping", but much easier. It was interesting to listen to the owner explain the process of making the various kinds of wine-and of course, the tasting was fun. Here are some of the vines on the way down the road.

ANOTHER MISHAP FOR THE WEEKEND

I guess Colette wanted to make sure that Don wasn't the only one getting teased all weekend. We were driving down the road, and Pat asked Colette if she had her shirt on inside out-he could read the stamped area on the back. Sure enough, it was inside out. We had to stop so she could run into a bathroom and change it. You can see the side seam was outside.

At least Colette's mishaps don't cost money!