Dubuque County

On our way back from Chicago we stopped in Dubuque. I really love this town and I really think it's one of the nicest and coolest places in Iowa. If you have kids I highly recommend the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium  It's really a first rate facility; I actually like it better than the Shed in Chicago.

The Dubuque County Courthouse

The Fenelon Place Elevator

Reenie at the wheel

Hanging with Marky Mark

Mines of Spain

If you build it something something

Monona County

Laura's parents live in the Monona County Seat of Onawa. So we're here quite a bit. These pictures are from Memorial day weekend. We come every year for the ceremonies at the cemeteries and then a family picnic.

It's a unique courthouse. I haven't seen many like it.

Posing with some of the cousins.

The kids love this tree stump "with a hat" at Lewis & Clark State Park. 

Memorial day ceremonies at the cemetery in Blencoe    

I love old movie theaters.

The Onawa library is awesome. It's recognized as once of the best examples of prairie school architecture in the country.

Harrison County

Laura's family is from the Loess Hills region of Iowa that stretches along the Missouri river, so we've driven these beautiful highways many times. If you're ever in the area I highly suggest getting off of I-29 and heading up the roads that make up the Loess Hills National Scenic Byway and stop at some of the great state and county parks.

Harrison County is located smack in the middle of hills region, just north of Council Bluffs. It's seat is Logan.

This is "Murray Hill" located just outside of Little Sioux Iowa

Cass County

I wish we had been able to spend a little more time in the Cass County seat of Atlantic. It seems like a nice town with a beautiful main street. Unfortunately it was a dreary and cold Sunday morning so nothing was going on. Perhaps we'll revisit on our way to see the Villisca axe murder house.

The courthouse has a cool art-deco facade