Mines Of Spain

As I was leaving today my host met me in the garage and asked me where I was going. I said I was going to a local park but I couldn't remember the name of it. He suggested I go to the Mines Of Spain. I wasn't going to go that far but I thought, what the hey, I'll go.

I am glad I went. Look at the beauty of this Horseshoe Bluff Interpretive trail. Gorgeous, just gorgeous.

I hiked to the lookout.

Julien Dubuque's Monument.

This is above where Catfish Creek meets the mighty Mississippi.

This is a National Historic Landmark.

This is a sign inside the biffy. I thought it was funny.

This is one of Iowa's Watchable Wildlife Areas. I saw a butterfly, a belted kingfisher, and some woodpeckers.

I apologize for this picture being on it's side. It reads "Church of Christ. Site of first Congregational Meeting held in Iowa in a cabin 220 yards SW of this site. October 1, 1835 by John Gaugh." This park, just south of Dubuque has 1437 acres. This is archery/deer season so I wore my high visibility green sweatshirt.  I saw one other guy wearing high visibility clothing but everyone else didn't. I could hear guns shooting in the distance. I even heard an automatic rifle. I looked for gun clubs on the map but didn't see any near this place. I guess it was a local farmer practicing.