Amboy Depot Museum

 The museum complex consists of a fully restored, two story, 1876 brick depot; a building used to store freight; a relocated one room schoolhouse; and a steam locomotive and caboose. All of the buildings have exhibits. Abraham Lincoln stopped for a hair cut in Amboy so there he is, reclining in the barber chair with his hat still on. 

The complex is party accessible. The first floor of the depot is accessible, although the entryway has a slope and the outward opening door makes entering awkward. The school house has a ramp. The freight house has steps and no ramp. The walkway connecting the buildings is brick and bumpy and uneven in spots. 

The parking lot is large enough for any vehicle. Museum 41.71359, -89.33181

 

Mines of Spain Recreation Area

The unusual name of the recreation area comes from a 1796 Spanish land grant given to Julien Dubuque. Dubuque had already made an agreement with the local Meskwaki tribe to mine in the area. Although Dubuque's mining venture was not successful, mining continued until 1914 - first by Native Americans after Dubuque's death and later by settlers. 

The recreation area was created in 1981 and consists of 1,380 acres of wetland, creeks, forest, prairies, cropland, and meadows. There are 21 miles of maintained hiking trails, an interpretive center, and a monument to Julien Duquque.

       

Very little is accessible due to the hilly terrain. Our first stop was the monument.  A paved, accessible trail leads to the monument and a view point overlooking the Mississippi River and the city of Dubuque. 

E.B. Lyons Interpretive Center is in a completely different area and can be accessed by hiking or by driving west to US 61, south on US 61, and east on US 52. The interpretive center was closed by the time we got there but we did walk/roll along the John and Alice Butler Trail. The one mile out and back trail is paved and accessible but hilly so wheelchair users may need assistance. 

    

 

The parking lots at the monument and the interpretive center are

large enough for RVs. Most of the other lots are too small. Monument  42.46866, -90.64842   Center  42.45906, -90.66445

 

Grandad Bluff

From the overlook at Grandad Bluff visitors can see three states -Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa. The small park is on the edge of a 600 foot bluff and has a picnic shelter, restrooms, a semi circle overlook, a statue honoring Ellen Hixon who raised the funds to buy the bluff  to prevent a sale to a quarry, interpretive signs, and a path that goes out on a ridge for a better view of the city of La Cross which spreads out to fill the Mississippi River valley. 

The semi circle overlook is accessible. The path along the ridge is paved but very steep - use caution.  

The parking lot is large enough for RVs. Do not drive to the park on Bliss Road. It has a five ton weight limit. Go east on State Hwy 33 and turn left on County Road F to go to the bluff. Bluff  43.81274, -91.20923

 

Green Giant Museum and Statue

 In 1928 the Minnesota Valley Canning Company began growing a large variety of peas and created their mascot - a giant holding a pea pod. This first giant was neither green or jolly but by 1950, when the company was renamed Green Giant Company, he was the friendly guy we know today. 

                          

The small museum has showcases filled with memorabilia and interesting facts on the history of the company, for instance, at one point they canned corn on the cob - a dozen in a can! We thought that most of the US vegetable production was in Mexico and other countries but corn and peas are grown in the valley and canned in Blue Earth where the museum and statue are located.

The museum is accessible. A paved path leads to the statue. A set of stair behind the statue allows visitors to stand under the giant's legs.

RVs will fit in the lot if backed up over the grass or parked across the spaces.  Museum  43.65161, -94.09607

 

Wheels Across the Prairie Museum

Relocated buildings and newly constructed ones are lined up to form a small village. Each of the buildings has a different theme or purpose. There's also a train depot with a train, a church, and a large barn containing an enormous amount of donated items that are randomly arranged.

Paved paths run between the buildings. Most of the buildings have high thresholds making entering difficult without assistance. 

The parking lot is shallow with only one entrance/exit. We parked sideways to avoid sticking out too far.  Visitors who are towing may be able to park in one of the adjacent businesses.  Museum  44.2384, -95.63579