Dubuque, IA, fabulous destination...no really!

Yesterday we decided for our Saturday fun we would drive to Dubuque, IA, or as Devon used to call it, Puke City. Dubuque is about the same distance from Dodgeville as Madison. I took the kids to Dubuque in the fall (that's when Devon thought it was called Puke City) and we drove around a bit looking for the shopping locations that were supposed to be there but we never found them. Instead we had ice cream at Mickey D's and came home. We saw some of the city and realized what an old historic place it is. So yesterday we decided it was time for Lincoln to see Dubuque and for us to go to Lowes- we haven't been in a Lowes since we left Charlotte and poor Mommy is suffering severe withdrawal symptoms. So here's what you need to know about Dubuque.
It's a very very small port city on the banks of the Mississippi River. It's the kind of old industrial city that makes me think of Pennsylvania cities like Pittsburgh. There is a very lovely new section on the river where you'll find the Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, a casino, and The Grand Resort and Waterpark. From here you can hike a waterfront trail on the banks of the Great River or board a riverboat cruise. This is very nice and it's great to see progress in an old city. As you go into the city itself it's really a mixed bag of gorgeous old restored Victorian buildings, newer buildings, and dilapidated Victorian buildings begging to be restored to their former glory. When Lincoln and I go back without the kids I'll get photos of some of the places in the city. So the city lies between the river and the sharply rising hills and cliffs climbing from the river valley. The last row of buildings on that level is a stretch of mid-1800s rowhouses. This old section has stretches of brick streets, big old trees, and the rowhouses are backed right up to the cliffs of the dells behind. This section is the one most in need of restoration. The wealthy of the city live up in the hills above the city, gazing out at the Mighty Mississipi. It's hard to even find your way up to the homes atop the hill but once there, your efforts are rewarded with unbelievable views and spectacular Victorian homes. In places, the homes are almost terraced, the next house up rising from the same level where the lower house's chimney ends. The streets are tiny, wide enough for one car, winding along the hillside. I got a few pictures as we drove by some homes, but none of the views and really the pictures I got don't do them justice at all, but I'm including them any way. Lincoln and I look forward to returning in the spring or summer for a weekend get-away (read, no kids), and really getting to know the city and get great photos.





Here are some for sale.





The white one has additional pictures if you want to take a look.