Herbert Hoover National Historic Site: Birthplace and Museum

Connie Attractions & Events, History, Iowa May 1, 2023May 1, 2023Herbert Hoover, Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum, Iowa attractions 0 Comment

Heading west on I-80 toward Iowa City, we noticed a sign at the West Branch exit for the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. Hmm… side trip? Let’s do it! So, that afternoon on our return trip we did just that.

This national historic site, honoring the 31st president of the United States, is home to a visitor center, several buildings from Hoover’s childhood—either original or reproduction—and the grave site of President and Mrs. Hoover. Not part of the national historic site but on the same property is the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum.

Midwest Wanderer Newsletter – June 1, 2022

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Midwest Wanderer Newsletter, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Road Trips, Roadside Attraction, Wisconsin June 1, 2022July 15, 2023Great River Road, Hollenberg Pony Express Station, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, McGinn's Tree Ranch, Midwest Wanderer Newsletter, oklahoma city, PistachioLand, Pony Express, Ship Island 0 Comment

Welcome to the new Midwest Wanderer newsletter!

Life is getting back to normal! We’re experiencing far fewer mask mandates and cancelled events. Time to get back to exploring, and the Midwest Wanderer newsletter will guide you to some fun and interesting places to explore.

Colonel Davenport House: History on the Mississippi

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois, Iowa May 2, 2019May 2, 2019Colonel Davenport House, Quad cities attractions, Rock Island Arsenal 0 Comment

Colonel George Davenport, founder of Davenport, Iowa, and first white settler in the area, led a family life that today would be fodder for the tabloids. Regardless, as a sutler for the U.S. Army, fur trader, and representative of Indians in negotiations with the U.S. government, he was well respected until his life ended tragically. In this podcast, we chat about the Colonel Davenport house on the Rock Island Arsenal in the Quad Cities and Colonel Davenport’s fascinating life.

Hotel Julien Dubuque Combines Historic Grandeur with Modern Amenities

Connie Accommodations, Food & Drink, Iowa March 13, 2019August 28, 2019Dubuque Iowa, Dubuque Iowa hotels, Hotel Julien Dubuque 0 Comment

Notorious gangster Al Capone owned the historic Hotel Julien Dubuque in the 1920s—maybe. He did stay there a lot, and although some believe he owned it at one time, it could never be confirmed. Earlier in history, Abraham Lincoln and Mark Twain both stayed at the hotel. However, the building that they stayed in was the original building, which burned down in 1913.

Today, the hotel, located along the Mississippi River in Dubuque, Iowa, is a boutique hotel that combines its original grandeur with modern amenities.

2018 Midwest Wanderer Year in Review

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Ohio, Road Trips January 4, 2019January 4, 2019Alton Audubon Eagle Festival, Great River Road 2 Comments

What a busy year! As we look back on our photos, it’s hard to believe we packed so much into 2018. Besides two month-long trips west, we spent a lot of time touring the Midwest. We traveled the Great River Road from the Mississippi River headwaters near Bemidji, Minnesota, down to the Quad Cities. We also visited southwest Kansas for the first time, with stops in Liberal and Dodge City. As we look at our year in review, we’re sharing a few photo highlights from our 2018 travels, which perhaps will give you inspiration for your 2019 travel plans.

Eagle Watching on the Mississippi Flyway

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Podcast December 27, 2018January 1, 2019eagle, Eagle watching, Eagle Watching Illinois, eagle watching iowa, eagle watching minnesota 2 Comments

It’s eagle watching season. As the weather becomes colder and bald eagles migrate south down the Mississippi Flyway, people travel to those same places in hopes of catching a glimpse of the national bird. Some of the best places to eagle watch are near locks and dams along the Mississippi River, where water continues to run and eagles can feed on fish

Cities all along the Mississippi River embrace eagle season, celebrating with festivals and welcoming visitors.

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