At the Figge Art Museum, with its expansive views of Davenport’s Mississippi riverfront, art fans will find an outstanding collection of Haitian art, given new prominence two years after the region’s devastating earthquake. The Figge’s other current exhibits feature a WPA artist, and children’s book illustrations.
The Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs celebrates 150 years of the Union Pacific Railroad in 2012. One collection of note is the Abraham Lincoln Collection, encompassing artifacts from the 16th president’s life and death. The nearby historic home of Civil War general Grenville Dodge, a railroad builder, is open for tours.
For the past 50 years, the life and accomplishments of Herbert Hoover have been documented and celebrated at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library, Museum, and Historic Site in West Branch, Hoover’s birthplace and boyhood home. Temporary exhibits relating to American history are always on display – currently you can learn about the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America. Lou Henry Hoover, wife of the president, served as president of the national organization twice.
Have you resolved to be more active in 2012? Get outside and get moving at one of Iowa’s ski areas, parks, or multi-use trails. Seek solitude on a snowshoe trail through the woods. Warm up with a group of friends at fun winter festival. Planned or spontaneous, a day in the Iowa outdoors will invigorate you.
Seven Oaks Recreation, near Boone in Central Iowa, offers winter activities for all ages and abilities, including skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. With 11 runs, even beginners can learn quickly. The Lodge at Seven Oaks provides an indoor view of the slopes while you enjoy food and drink.
Sleepy Hollow, Des Moines' only ski resort, offers skiing and snowboarding, along with multiple lanes for tubing. It’s a great urban escape for the whole family, and a top choice for group outings.
From Sundown Mountain Resort’s two lodges, skiers can pause to take in quite a view - 100 square miles of scenery. With one of the highest lifts in the midwest, Sundown Mountain has long been a destination for winter adventurers from three states.
No special equipment is needed to wander Iowa’s trails and hiking paths. Most of Iowa’s state parks have multi-use trails that are available for cross-country skiing when there’s snow, or hiking when there isn’t. For example, Brushy Creek State Recreation Area near Fort Dodge in north central Iowa offers 50 miles of trails! Pikes Peak near McGregor offers three miles of ski trails and many more miles of hiking trails, with spectacular views of the Mississippi River valley.
The Iowa Natural Heritage foundation’s comprehensive guide to Iowa’s trails can point you in the right direction for longer trails. Iowa’s county park system is extensive, offering all types of outdoor recreation in all corners of the state.
Plan the perfect winter getaway at Honey Creek Resort State Park on Rathbun Lake in southern Iowa. Choose an upscale cottage, or stay in the main lodge – special packages are always available. Families will love the indoor waterpark, while couples and friends will appreciate the fine dining and the opportunity to schedule spa services. Miles of trails wind through the woods along the lake.
Here’s one resolution that’s easy to keep –explore more of Iowa’s destinations and attractions with family and friends this year. Your first step is to visit http://www.traveliowa.com/ for a look at everything Iowa has to offer. Flip through the pages of our digital Travel Guide or order your own free copy.
Kathy Bowermaster, Iowa Tourism Office
It will be a weekend of winter fun at Hitchcock Nature Center in Honey Creek on January 21-22.
First, strap on some snowshoes and trek through the beautiful Loess Hills during a guided snowshoe hike on Saturday, January 21. Hikes will take place at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Pre-registration and pre-payment is required by Friday, January 13, as space is limited. These workshops are designed for participants 12 years of age and older.
Cost is $5 per person and includes a guided hike, refreshments and the use of snowshoes. Call 712.242.1197 to pre-register for either session. Please meet at the Loess Hills Lodge. Weather permitting.
Bring the little ones on Sunday, January 22, at 1:30 p.m. to learn all about nature in the winter during the KinderNature program "Animals in Winter." Children will find out how their favorite animals keep warm in the rugged winter weather. Outdoor time if weather permits.
KinderNature Preschool Programs are designed for children ages 3-5 years old accompanied by an adult. These unique programs are full of hands-on learning and outdoor activities that encourage curious minds to explore and engage with the natural world. Each program explores a new and unique nature theme, and includes stories, crafts and outdoor exploration. Programs are held each month and last an hour. Cost: $4 per child. Weather permitting.
Information supplied by Erin Kenney, Pottawattamie County Conservation
Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area (SSNHA) is proud to welcome four new Partner Sites. There are now 110 Partner Sites designated to interpret and preserve its own unique part of America’s agricultural story.
New Partner Sites:
Miss Effie’s Country Flowers & Garden Stuff, Donahue. This U-Pick flower farm encourages guests to relax and enjoy the beautiful Grant Wood Landscapes in the shade of an 1892 Classic L Victorian Farmhouse. Chickens and ducks follow you as you select and create a beautiful bouquet from a variety of 90 different flowers.
Tyden Farm No.6, Dougherty. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this farmstead was originally owned by Emil Tyden, a Swedish immigrant and mechanical genius (he held 200 patents in his lifetime). The sixth of eight farms, Tyden No.6 was developed from 1915 to 1939 and is still in use today by the Pitzenberger family. No.6 features a massive 40’x140’ barn and a 26,000-bu concrete-block corncrib, both an unheard of size at that time.
Dysart Historical Center, Dysart. The center features a historical building, a one-room rural school and a new agricultural museum and interpretive center. Through Dysart’s inspiring stories, experience Iowa’s rich agricultural heritage and culture.
Johnson County Historical Society Museum, Coralville. The exhibits and interactive displays show how the land, people, transportation and business including agriculture evolved to create today's Johnson County community. The museum's newest permanent exhibit "A Home on the Farm" explores the changes in the lives of Johnson County farm families from 1930-1990.
Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area is one of 49 federally designated heritage areas in the nation and is an Affiliated Area of the National Park Service. The Heritage Area covers 37 counties in the northeast quadrant of Iowa. I-80 borders it on the south and I-35 borders it on the west. Through a network of sites, programs and events, SSNHA interprets past and present farm life, agribusiness, and rural communities.
Aaron Steinmann, Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area
C
elebrate Iowa's rich culinary bounty with unique monthly tastings in the Living History Farms' Visitor Center. Gather your friends and explore local food and beverage specialties, and talk with winemakers, micro-brewers, artisan bakers, and more in a casual open house atmosphere.
Farms Uncorked - Saturday, January 14, 3 - 6 p.m.
Come sample the best of native Iowa wines, cheeses, and Gelato from Chocolaterie Stam. Enjoy appetizers crafted from La Quercia pork products by local chefs, including Mojo's on 86th. Local experts will present mini-sessions with wine-related topics. Shop the Marketplace Gift Store for your favorite wine. Other generous partners include: Cabot Creamery, Covered Bridges Winery, Jasper Winery, La Mie, Penoach Vineyard, Prairie Moon, Two Saints Winery, Vines and Wines, and Snus Hill Wineries.
NEW! Spirits and Sweets - Saturday, February 11, 3 - 6 p.m.
Dare to pair one of a kind mini-tini's mixed by Iowa artisan distillers with bite sized sweets created by local bakeries. Visit with distillers about the process of making spirits with Iowa corn. The event also features an olive bar by Gateway Market. Many thanks to our partners: Cedar Ridge Distillery, Crème Cupcakes, El Patio, Mississippi River Distilling Company, Sweet Binney's, and Templeton Rye.
Beer n' Bread - Saturday, March 10, 3 - 6 p.m.
Sample Iowa micro-brewed beers along with fresh artisan breads and other goodies including fine Cabot cheese. Come learn how to make craft brew in your home from the experts at Beer Crazy. Over 20 different beers will be on tap, along with breads from La Mie, South Union bakery and The Beer Bread Company. Back Pocket Brewing will attend for the first time, with several favorites returning such as Court Avenue, Peace Tree, Madhouse, Millstream and Raccoon River Breweries.
Tickets are $18 per event for Living History Farms (LHF) members, $20 for non-members. New this year - Enjoy all three with a series pass for only $48/LHF members; $52 guest. All tickets are sold in advance by visiting http://www.livinghistoryfarms.org/. If space is available, tickets may be purchased at the door. For more information call 515.278.5386 ext. 171 or email events@lhf.org You must be 21 or older to attend, and non-alcoholic beverages are available.
Proceeds from these fundraising events benefit education programs at Living History Farms, a non-profit, historical, educational museum which serves over 30,000 Iowa school children annually.
Jennie Deerr, Living History Farms
January 7
Clinton Bald Eagle Watch
• Outdoor viewing at Lock and Dam 13, 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
• Live Bird and Nature Programs at Clinton Community College, 9:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
• Exhibits at Clinton Community College from 9 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
• Free bus service from college to the outdoor viewing area.
• For more information call 815.259.3628
January 14
Ottumwa Eagle Walk
• Outdoor viewing at Bridge View Center 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
• Contact Chamber of Commerce 641.682.3465
January 21
Dubuque Bald Eagle Watch
• Outdoor viewing, south of Lock and Dam 11 at A.Y. McDonald Park from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• Live eagle and bird of prey programs by the University of Minnesota Raptor Center at 9:30 a.m., 12:15 p.m. and 3 p.m.
• Live bobcat and lynx program by Pella Wildlife Co.
• Indoor exhibits from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Grand River Center - Port of Dubuque
• Trolley rides from Grand River Center to outdoor viewing area
• For more information call 563.556.4372 or 563.582.0881
January 21 - 22
Keokuk Bald Eagle Days
• Indoor programs and environmental fair at the River City Mall, Keokuk
• Live eagle programs Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Outdoor viewing along the riverfront
• For more information call 800.383.1219
January 28
Muscatine Bald Eagle Watch
• Outdoor viewing from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. at Illinois Boat Club
• Live eagle programs at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. at Pearl City Station
• For more information call 563.263.7913
February 24
Des Moines Lunch with Eagles
• Scott St. Dam, 303 Scott Ave., 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Outdoor viewing in downtown Des Moines
• For more information call 515.865.6564
February 26
Saylorville Bald Eagle Watch, Polk City
• Outdoor Viewing at selected sites around reservoir, start at Visitor’s Center Noon - 4 p.m.
• For more information call 515.276.4656
March 2-3
Red Rock Bald Eagle Watch, Pella
• Outdoor viewing at Howell Station 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Indoor programs at Pella Central College 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• For more information call 641.828.7522
March 3
Linn Grove Eagle Watch
• Registration 8:30 - 10 a.m.
• Refreshments served in the morning
• Can pre-register by sending to Wonders of Nature, 107 Weaver, Linn Grove
• Speakers from 10 a.m. to Noon
• Lunch served at 12:15 p.m., free will offering
• Outdoor viewing at selected sites, start at Nature Center, Linn Grove Main St.
• For more information call 712.296.4920
Information provided by Pat Schlarbaum, Iowa Department of Natural Resources
So I didn’t make it to every place I wanted to go in 2011. It happens. But I did find myself in some places that I didn’t know I wanted to go, but now would highly recommend.
Topping my list is Goodies Homemade Candies in Okoboji. I have been by it a number of times, but on my last trip popped in to buy someone a quick thank you gift. Perhaps it was my hungry tummy that made me fall in love with this candy shop, but the smells and sights of a room full of treats has left me with sweet memories and plans to stop there every time I’m in the great lakes area.
On a visit to Bettendorf, I landed at the Isle Casino Hotel. This is a beautiful facility with great space to see a show, play the slots or a table game or just crash for the night. I was very impressed by the beautiful décor and great amenities.
A breakfast meeting landed me in Newton at Shay’s Tea Room. I am by no means a connoisseur of tea rooms, but if they are all like this one, I can see why people enjoying going. Located at the historic Hunter Mansion, Shay’s offers delicious food and great shopping. It would be a perfect place for a girl’s day.
I could go on, but I’ll save them for other blogs. What places did you wander into as an acquaintance and left as a fan?Colleen Murphy, Iowa Tourism Office
