Touring the Haunted Squirrel Cage Jail Museum

The pie-shaped cells of the Pottawattamie County Jail were escape proof. They had no doors. To let an inmate in or out, the jailer rotated the floor until the cell lined up with the one and only opening. If an inmate had an arm or leg hanging out of the cage when the floor began to rotate, the appendage would break, or even tear off. Better known as the Squirrel Cage Jail, today the building serves as a museum—and is believed to be the most haunted building in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

Exploring Byways and Trails

Connie Attractions & Events, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio, Podcast, Road Trips, Wisconsin August 30, 2018August 30, 2018byways, chocolate trail, Great River Road, Iowa Antique Trail, Lincoln Highway, National road, Richmond Indiana, road trips, Route 66 2 Comments

In this podcast, we chat about exploring byways and trails. If you’re a regular Midwest Wanderer reader, you know we do a lot of road trips. Some of our favorite trips are along scenic or historic byways. And then there are trails. What’s the difference? You’ll find out in this podcast.

Watson Steam Train: Miniature Railroad Rides

Connie Attractions & Events, Iowa August 21, 2018March 21, 2024Council Bluffs attractions, Miniature train rides, Ottawa steam locomotive, Train rides in Missouri Valley Iowa, Watson Steam Train, Watson Steam Train & Depot, Watson Steam Train and Depot, What do do in Council Bluffs 5 Comments

The Watson Steam Train in Missouri Valley, Iowa, is one of only a few remaining 1948 Ottaway steam-powered miniature trains left in the United States. While the 12-gauge coal-fueled steam train is fired up only for special occasions, another train—a diesel-fueled Union Pacific replica—takes kids of all ages on rides around the 1,700 foot track.

Podcast: Great River Road Days 9-13

Connie Accommodations, Attractions & Events, Illinois, Iowa, Podcast, Road Trips August 15, 2018September 2, 2018Bix Beiderbecke Museum, Caroline's Restaurant, Colonel Davenport home, Crystal Lake Cave, de Immigrant Windmill, Dubuque, Dubuque Riverwalk, Dubuque Shot Tower, Fenelon Place Elevator, Figge Art Museum, German Heritage Heritage Center, Great River Road, Hotel Julien Dubuque, John Deere Pavilion, Julien Dubuque Memorial, Lagomarcino's, Maid Rite, Mississippi River, National Mississippi River Museum, Quad Cities, Quad Cities River Bandits, Rhythm City Casino, Rock Island Arsenal, Sawmill Museum, Windmill Fulton Illinois 2 Comments

In this podcast, we wrap up our Great River Road adventure. We start in Dubuque, Iowa, and travel south through Fulton, Illinois, and Clinton, Iowa. Then we move on to our last stop, the Quad Cities.

Podcast: Great River Road Days 5-8

Connie Iowa, Minnesota, Podcast, Road Trips, Wisconsin July 31, 2018July 30, 2018Alma Wisconsin, Castlerock Armor Museum, Cathedral of Saint Paul, Covington Inn, Dubuque Iowa, Effigy Mounds, Fort Snelling, Great River Road, Hotel Julien Dubuque, Joseph's Grill, Minnesota State Capitol, our lady of guadalupe shrine, Red Cow, Saint Paul Farmers Market, Saint Paul Minnesota, Sleepy Hollow Campground, Wabash Street Caves, Winona 0 Comment

Listen to our adventures as we drove the Great River Road from the Headwaters in northern Minnesota to the Quad Cities. On days 5 through 8 explored the area from St. Cloud, Minnesota, to Dubuque Iowa.

Hitchcock Nature Center: Preserving Loess Hills

Connie Attractions & Events, Iowa July 24, 2018July 24, 2018Council Bluffs, Council Bluffs Iowa, Hitchcock Nature Center, Iowa, Iowa loess hills, Loess Hills, Loess Hills Iowa, Pottawatomie County Conservation 0 Comment

Western Iowa is one of only two places worldwide with a Loess Hills landform, and the only place that still possesses some of its natural characteristics. Hitchcock Nature Center near Council Bluffs was formed to protect the Loess Hills and to provide low-impact recreation for visitors.