A surprise in Dubuque

 We have been through Dubuque numerous times.  Couldn't even say how many times.  Perhaps over 50?  

I've always wanted to go up to the road where these houses on the bluff overlook the city.  We decided this was the time we would do it.

As I was looking into how to do this, I found out that Dubuque has the shortest, steepest cable car in the WORLD! so you can go up the bluff that way!  How have we not known this??

We found our way to the Fenelon Place Elevator Company.  We parked the car and walked to the cable car.  If you prefer, you can also drive to the top of the hill and get into the car up there and make yourself down.

At the bottom of the bluff, you get inside the cable car and pull the bell cord that notifies the workers at the top to begin the ride!

It doesn't take much to entertain us!

We got to the top.  What a view!  

We could see the green bridge that takes you into Wisconsin.

Then we went down.  

We decided to walk about a little.

St. Raphael's Parish traces its origin to July 1833 when the first group of settlers gathered for Mass in a home.  Later, they met in a log cabin and eventually this building was built.  It is the oldest known congregation in the state of Iowa.

It was undergoing some kind of renovation, but we were able to get inside. 

We were able to listen to the organist practicing.  You also hear buzz saws in the background.

Sometime when I come by myself, I will take the time to shop!  Allen isn't so keen on shopping so I oblige him.

We found our way to a nearby car wash as our car was FILTHY from yesterday's exploration.

After that, we found our way to the top of the bluff by car.  We assumed that the homes' backyards would be at the edge of the bluff and that we wouldn't be able to really see anything.  But we were pleasantly mistaken!

A cute playground at the top!

One time when I had my granddaughter Emeri with me, I accidently took this bridge across and we ended up in Illinois.  We hadn't taken the bridge into Wisconsin!  Oh well, it was a fun adventure taking back roads to Wisconsin once we figured out that we were in the wrong state!

Here you can see the railroad bridge is swung side-ways to let barges past.

After our little side-trip here in Dubuque (and we NEED to come sometime and see other sights there!), we went on to Wisconsin!

Little piggies are going to a new home.

Uummm.  Looks like rain clouds.

Ha!  So much for our car wash!  But I guess we did get the majority of the dirt off the car.

As my shirt says, "Always take the the scenic route!"  You never know what you will find!