I intend on putting on a road meet in and around Dubuque, Iowa.
I created a Facebook group (open so any interested can join) at https://www.facebook.com/groups/373945326035222/ (https://www.facebook.com/groups/373945326035222/). I've started doing some prospecting around the area and though it will be a challenge, I will find some good stuff. There are lots of crossings that we can look at along the river as well as points where crossings used to exist. As far as dates are concerned, I haven't scheduled one yet, but I am aware of H.B.'s tri-state in Ashland KY, the possible NE Wisconsin meet and the Ohio meet's dates.
For now, I will be putting info both on the Facebook group and subsequent event and here (for the non-Facebook crowd) as I gather it.
The location we will be meeting at is at Shot Tower Inn on 4th and Locust Street. From US 20 (either direction) turn north on Locust and follow that street (left at the Y intersection traffic lights) from 61/161/52 SB - turn right at the first light after the viaduct ends and then take another right at the next light. then you're on Locust - follow that street. From 61/151/52 NB, follow the US 20 "Locust Street" exit staight through the lights to the same Y mentioned for US 20. The joint is on the right side of the street. I'll be posting a Google Map of the location this week. (4/14/2013)
Edited to put in date, time and place -sso
I spent a night in Dubuque a couple of years ago when I was on my way to the Marshalltown Lincoln Highway meet. Found it to be an interesting area. I'm sure there will be plenty of meet-worthy stuff in the region. Not sure I can commit to attending, even after a date is set, but it should be an enjoyable event.
I added custom points and lines on Google Maps to approximate historic alignments and highlight present structures. The map is unlisted at this time and can only be accessed through this topic or the Facebook group site.
http://goo.gl/maps/I8OpF
Historic alignments are approximate.
Thanks to:
John A. Weeks, III (http://www.johnweeks.com/river_mississippi/river_mississippi_17.html)
Jason Hancock (http://iowahighways.home.mchsi.com/highways/us151.html - US 151 page.
Jeff Morrison (http://iowahighwayends.net/maps/dbqmaps.gif - image of routing history)
Bridgehunter.com (James Baughn - founder) (http://bridgehunter.com/ia/dubuque/eagle-point/ - Eagle Point Bridge page)
Library of Congress - http://www.loc.gov/pictures/item/ia0114/ (Eagle Point Bridge page)
Christopher J. Bessert (http://wisconsinhighways.org/listings/WiscHwys150-159.html#US-151 Wisconsin Highways US 151 entry)
Scheduling for May 4, 2013. Details to be provided down the road after I sample a few lunch spots. For those in the Facebook group, I've attached a PDF to the group library. If you haven't joined the group and are interested, the group can be found here - request to join and I'll add you. (https://www.facebook.com/groups/373945326035222/)
I have never been to Iowa or Wisconsin. If I go to this, it's two new states for me.
If I go I would probably spend both Friday and Saturday nights in Rockford and drive the extra couple hours to Dubuque (how do you pronounce that, anyway? "Duh buuk"?) the morning of and evening after.
It's 14 hours from New York to Rockford. I can do this as a 3 day weekend!
Quote from: Duke87 on February 13, 2013, 10:55:15 PM
I have never been to Iowa or Wisconsin. If I go to this, it's two new states for me.
If I go I would probably spend both Friday and Saturday nights in Rockford and drive the extra couple hours to Dubuque (how do you pronounce that, anyway? "Duh buuk"?) the morning of and evening after.
It's 14 hours from New York to Rockford. I can do this as a 3 day weekend!
Duhb-yewk. It's French in spelling and pronunciation.
I'm a definite 'maybe'. We'll see as the time approaches. I remember spending many days off exploring the US 18/151 upgrades while they were being built in the 1990s and early 2000s.
:cool:
Mike
Quote from: Brandon on February 14, 2013, 07:09:02 AM
Quote from: Duke87 on February 13, 2013, 10:55:15 PM
I have never been to Iowa or Wisconsin. If I go to this, it's two new states for me.
If I go I would probably spend both Friday and Saturday nights in Rockford and drive the extra couple hours to Dubuque (how do you pronounce that, anyway? "Duh buuk"?) the morning of and evening after.
It's 14 hours from New York to Rockford. I can do this as a 3 day weekend!
Duhb-yewk. It's French in spelling and pronunciation.
Not in the least. The French would pronounce it dübük, where that's the same as the German umlaut.
Quote from: Steve on February 14, 2013, 06:43:19 PM
Quote from: Brandon on February 14, 2013, 07:09:02 AM
Quote from: Duke87 on February 13, 2013, 10:55:15 PM
I have never been to Iowa or Wisconsin. If I go to this, it's two new states for me.
If I go I would probably spend both Friday and Saturday nights in Rockford and drive the extra couple hours to Dubuque (how do you pronounce that, anyway? "Duh buuk"?) the morning of and evening after.
It's 14 hours from New York to Rockford. I can do this as a 3 day weekend!
Duhb-yewk. It's French in spelling and pronunciation.
Not in the least. The French would pronounce it dübük, where that's the same as the German umlaut.
Named for Julien Dubuque (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Julien_Dubuque), a French-Canadian settler in what is now Dubuque, Iowa. He was the first European to settle in the area. There's a lot of French names that follow older French spellings in the Midwest, before French spelling and pronunciation was uniform.
So, the final softball schedule for this season was released today. I have a game the night of Friday the 3rd.
As such, as much as I'd like to, I can't be in Iowa on Saturday the 4th. Sorry folks...
I haven't been paying close attention to the board lately, so tonight is the first time I noticed the Dubuque meet. This is not well-timed for my purposes. I expect to be in Texas that weekend. Linda and I are expecting our first grandchild, due in Houston on or about April 30th. Nature will have the final say.
If I had the authority to reschedule these things, I would definitely be at this meet. Yes, I enjoy roads and bridges and enthusiasts, but this area also offers some truly spectacular natural beauty.
Dubuque is near the southern end of the "driftless" geology. If you haven't yet visited, it is well worth the extra effort to get there. I have been there thrice, spent a few days 20+ years ago, passed through twice in the last five years.
For those who go, budget extra time if you can. I know you will enjoy your weekend. I'm pretty sure I will be enjoying that weekend too.
--
Brian Reynolds
Hastings Michigan
It's pretty close by, and I haven't explored Dubuque much. But I'll be finishing up a move then, so I doubt I'll have either time or energy to pull it off.
I won't be RSVP'ing "yes" on the Facebook page, but my intent is to attend this meet. I anticipate clinching all of the Illinois counties that I don't already have, and clinching US 67 and US 61 in Iowa on the way to Dubuque, and clinching US 52 in Illinois and Indiana on the way home.
Preliminary itinerary is to stay in the St. Louis area on Thursday night, in Dubuque on Friday night, probably somewhere around Dixon, Ill. on Saturday night and either the Cincinnati or Louisville area on Sunday night.
I don't know who is planning on staying in Dubuque on Saturday night after the meet, but if you are, you might want to book your room soon. I just made a reservation for a room at the Days Inn close to downtown, but a couple other hotels I was looking at were already booked for that night. I don't know if there's some big event happening in Dubuque that evening, but I just wanted to let folks know that they should book their rooms soon if they plan on staying in Dubuque on Saturday night.
I look forward to seeing everyone in a few weeks!
I concur with A.J.
Hotels are filling up quick not only in Dubuque, but surrounding the area. (i checked Platteville and Galena) I use KAYAK to check them and if the entry says "CALL" that usually means closed or booked.
I may stay elsewhere Friday night and drive on in Saturday morning. Has a start time been determined? That could affect my overall travel plans -- i.e., Thursday night in Mt. Vernon, Ill., Friday night in Quad Cities vs. Thursday night in Alton and Friday night in Dubuque.
hbelkins. You are passing my territory on US 67 . I cant make Dubuque but let me know when you finalize your plans I could pick up lunch as you pass through
HB, the start time is definitely 11:00 am with lunch. (I just realized I had forgotten to update this thread :-(
That means that if I stay in the Quad Cities area on Friday night, I can leave around 8 a.m. local time (9 a.m. real time :bigass:), drive US 67 and US 52, and make it in plenty of time. Good. Now I have some flexibility.
Something to note: The Mississippi River water levels have come up due to the rain and rapid snow melt. While both gauges in Dubuque show below flood stage now, that may change come May 4 and put a challenge to the plans I have as some sights are at the lower elevations of the banks or not protected by levees. I will be scouting the area and seeing what's impacted this and next weekend. There are two crests on the river - the first of which is 50 miles upstream of Dubuque now.
The river is not forcast to flood on this crest, but additional rain storms coming up this week will change that.
Dubuque Railroad bridge hydrograph: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=dvn&gage=dbqi4
Dubuque Lock-Dam hydrograph: http://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=dvn&gage=dldi4
Hey everyone, just a reminder that the meet is two weeks from today! As there is some event activity eating up hotel space around the area I would again advise that you book your room as soon as possible if you are overnighting. Also, for those who haven't RSVP'ed to either here or on AARoads, please do so by next Saturday so I can get a head count to put in to the lunch venue.
I will be finalizing the route over the next week. The Mississippi River exceeded flood stage last Friday but now the water level is dropping. Still with rain in the forecast, I'm going to keep an eye on the water level (which will affect some of our stops if too high).
On the subject of the lunch venue - Shot Tower Inn does not split checks and charges a gratuity for parties of 8 or more if served at the table - however, there is the option of a walk-up ordering counter. I'm going to get more information on this as the risk of a busy restaurant is just as high as the risk of hotel space being low.
Here is a map of local points I have in mind - http://goo.gl/maps/Altlh
and of regional points - http://goo.gl/maps/MwTzg
An interesting aside - the name of the meeting point restaurant 'Shot Tower Inn'... What is a 'shot tower'? In the early days of settlement in that region, mining was an important, likely dominant part of the local economy. The product? Lead. For example, you have the nearby city of 'Galena, IL' (galena is a mineral, essentially lead ore). What did they use the lead metal for? Ammo. One of the forms is shotgun shot. How did they make the shot pellets? They dripped melted lead metal into a pool of water from several stories up - thus the tower to do the job, a 'shot tower'.
:cool:
It was of such economic importance back then that Wisconsin's first state capitol was established in nearby Belmont and observations of the activity of the miners (an image of one is on Wisconsin's state flag) was that they were digging into the hills like a bunch of badgers - thus the Badgers for the University of Wisconsin and many other Wisconsin things.
Mike
Any idea what time the tour will end? I'm trying to figure out how many hours of daylight driving I can get in after we're done.
I know I shouldn't have any problems getting to Dixon before dark, but don't know if I will be able to press farther onward or not. The only other options I have past Dixon are Mendota and Joliet, and it's possible that Joliet may be too far to reach before dark. (I'm taking US 52 back so I can clinch it in Illinois and Indiana).
H.B., I'll calculate an approximate end-time this week. Until then I can't give an answer one what to include and what not to yet. I do want to get the local points and as many nearby regional points, but at the same time put in a stopping point so that those who want to do return daytime clinches can do so. I don't anticipate going past the 3:00 hour as it is.
Sounds like a plan. A 3 p.m. departure would certainly allow me to make Joliet before dark. Even a later departure would probably allow that to happen.
Quote from: hbelkins on April 22, 2013, 10:06:12 AM
Sounds like a plan. A 3 p.m. departure would certainly allow me to make Joliet before dark. Even a later departure would probably allow that to happen.
Even along US-52, you should make it easily before dark. I took the route almost 2 years ago to clinch US-52 in Illinois. Wound up leaving Dubuque around 5 pm and got as far as I-39 before dark (about 7 pm) (took I-39 to I-80 as I already had the rest of US-52). The bridge over the Mississippi is narrow, but getting through Savanna is easy. You will have slower going through Dixon and Mendota, but otherwise it is all rural and open with few slowdowns from the 55 mph limit.
I'm planning on taking I-80 to I-39 to Wis-81 and Wis-11 on the way in, followed by US-61 to I-80 on the way out.
I believe we will be able to get all of the bridges past and present within 3-4 hours so I project we return to the parked cars at about 4:00 to maybe 4:30 at the latest to allow those who want to go to go. For those who want to explore further we can continue after that. This is banking on us getting going by 12:30 to 1:00. The sun sets at 8:00 around Dubuque (about 15 min earlier at the other side of Illinois, so Brandon's right - out at 5 and you're fine :)
For those taking US 61 or US 52 from the south - there is construction starting between US 20 and US 52's SB split that will reduce the traffic to 2 lanes and 10 foot wide lanes. They're moving all traffic to the northbound lanes. There's restricted movement at the intersection between 52 and 61.
http://lb.511ia.org/ialb/truckreports/event.jsf?sitKey=IACARS4-6548&view=cedarfalls_waterloo&text=m&textOnly=false¤t=true
Well, the long-anticipated trip from Hastings to Houston is an accomplished fact. Our trip was planned to begin today (April 26) with arrival late in the day on the 27th. However, another arrival (our granddaughter, a full seven days early) altered our schedule.
Linda and I put in a full day of work on Tuesday in an attempt to get three days work done in one day. Mostly, we succeeded.
Meanwhile, the baby was born just after noon on Tuesday. We left Hastings just after 5 PM EDT. Three plus hours of hard driving, supper in Joliet, then several more hours of hard driving (almost all of it in the rain), arrive in Poplar Bluff a bit after 1 AM CDT. From Kalamazoo, I-94, I-80, I-55, US-67. I had planned to take the I-255 bypass east and south, but a VMS warned of severely limited lanes, so we went through St. Louis instead. Six hours of power sleep, then back on the road.
The travel was not miserable, but certainly not fun. The rain, the darkness, the anxiety all detracted from the experience. Wednesday was much better.
US-67 is being incrementally upgraded to expressway (in Missouri) and freeway (in Arkansas). When it is done, this will be my preferred route to Houston. The chronic problems along I-40 between West Memphis and Little Rock tipped the scales for this trip.
The expressway is done to just south of Poplar Bluff. I found the road to be as good as could be expected, very efficient travel, in spite of rain and intermittent sleet and fog.
The Holiday Inn at Poplar Bluff is a conference-convention-meeting kind of facility. Breakfast is not part of the program. Just as well. We paused for a brief few minutes at Sonic in northern Arkansas. Breakfast burritos make for a good on-the-run morning meal.
The Walnut Ridge — Hoxie by-pass is interesting, a short segment of completed freeway that connects with the two-lane at both ends. The future roadway and ramps are plain to see at both ends. It reminds me of traveling US-66 back in the mid-"˜60s, when only intermittent segments of Interstate highway were completed.
The direct route would have been through Texarkana, then US-59 south to Houston. I persuaded my wife that the alternate route (I-30, US-271, US-69, US-79, I-45) would be almost as good. This allowed me to pick up four Texas counties. It appears that a new four-lane divided (freeway?) US-271 by-pass of Mt. Pleasant is being constructed.
We never really stopped for lunch or supper. We were playing beat-the-clock trying to get to the hospital before visiting hours expired at 9 PM. My diverted route didn't help. Neither did a major detour around a major collision. We arrived at 8:45 PM. The hospital staff allowed us to stay until nearly 10 PM. Very nice of them.
As scheduled now, I will be leaving Houston Wednesday morning, Linda will be staying for another week or so. I will be visiting and having supper with my niece in Sherman on Thursday evening. This gives me most of the day on Wednesday and Thursday to explore central and western Texas. I will probably pass through the town of West, site of the recent tragedy.
From Sherman, I will put in a few hours after supper, angling toward Tulsa. Friday I will be picking up counties in Kansas and Missouri, maybe Illinois. Saturday I will be in Dubuque. I look forward to seeing everyone there.
Brian Reynolds
Hastings Michigan
I'm starting to get a bit concerned about the weather for this meet. I keep hearing talk about a cut-off low that might bring snow as far south as Kentucky and Tennessee next weekend. (Of course everybody in Louisville, S. Ind., is freaking out about snow on Derby Day). While that's not likely, snow over northern Illinois is being mentioned as much more of a possibility.
Not according to the National Weather Service. The only snow nearby Dubuque is well off to the west and north - on Thursday - and it will melt off by then (There is uncertainty and they're the only ones that actually admit it). There is still a concern of a chance of rain. I'm watching the forecast already.
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=42.49488409061171&lon=-90.66123962402344 <-- Dubuque forecast from NWS.
Snow will be mostly west of I-35 according to the National Weather Service, and will have finished falling by then. There is still a chance of rain for Saturday and it will be in the upper 50s.
Quote from: SSOWorld on April 30, 2013, 06:57:09 PM
http://forecast.weather.gov/MapClick.php?lat=42.49488409061171&lon=-90.66123962402344 <-- Dubuque forecast from NWS.
Snow will be mostly west of I-35 according to the National Weather Service, and will have finished falling by then. There is still a chance of rain for Saturday and it will be in the upper 50s.
Can't be any wetter than the Port Huron-Sarnia meet last August.
Or the Columbus meet a few years ago that I missed because I got sick and then overslept.
Speaking of wet, looks like I'm going to have to change my planned route. IL 100 is closed due to flooding in Pike County, so it looks like I will end up having to drive US 67 all the way from Alton to I-72 after doing an "in-and-out" of one county.
There's an outside chance I will make it all the way to Dubuque on Friday night, but the inexpensive hotel rooms are filling up. I may have to stay at the Hampton.
Regardless, I'll have four umbrellas this time, including one large golf umbrella. Thus, should it rain, I'll have something.
Have fun guys! I will be there in spirit! Helping wife and friend with a yard sale on Saturday then OT at work on Sunday.
Wishes likewise. I would've been there but I had a softball game tonight that I had to be in New York for (we lost 20-8).
Results that i took. I took less photos so as it was appropriate for me to drive and lead the convoy. The other participants will have many more should they choose to share.
http://flic.kr/s/aHsjEXM2kv
Attendees:
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8115/8707945075_612ba7e20a.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ssoworld/8707945075/)
Dubuque/Tri-State Road Meet (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ssoworld/8707945075/) by ssoworld (http://www.flickr.com/people/ssoworld/), on Flickr
Attendees: From Left: H.B. Elkins (hbelkins), David Feryance, Michael Saldivar, Chris Lokken (catofdar), Scott Onson (SSOWorld - organizer), Sam Scholtens, A.J. Bertin, Brandon Gorte (Brandon), Jeff Morrison, Michael Koerner (mgk920), and Kristophere' Owens (Solarcatcher on YouTube). Chris Tarr (GeekJedi) also was in attendance, but had to leave mid-meet due to work obligations.
Background: Eagle Point Bridge Pillar by Lock and Dam 11 (Mississippi River) in Dubuque, IA
Synopsis:
A total of 12 people attended. We started out by conversing over lunch at Shot Tower Inn (not to be confused with the Shot Tower) - a pizza/sandwich place in downtown Dubuque. After leaving our cars in a public parking structure (the only free one in Dubuque) attached to a casino, we walked over to a railroad bridge by the Shot Tower (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shot_Tower) itself (Picture of Dubuque tower itself on the Wikipedia article), which had been paralleled by the High (a.k.a. Wagon) bridge. All that is left of it on the Iowa side are a marker on the River Walkway and a few slabs of concrete that may have been part of it. The Illinois side leaves much more evidence, that which was not easily visible from Dubuque, or accessible from East Dubuque IL due to it being on private property (BNSF Railroad). We did notice a railroad tunnel. The Wagon Bridge carried US 20 over the river connecting to 4th Street prior to the present Julien Dubuque Bridge being built. If you want an idea of what the bridge looked like - see the "Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis. We then hurried back to form our convoy as it started raining and we forgot the umbrellas.
We then began the road tour by turning on to US 20 and crossing the Julien Dubuque Bridge into Wisconsin, we took Route 35 north into Wisconsin and followed it onto highway 35 and continued onto Badger Road - which previously carried 35, along with - briefly - US 61 and US 151 (more later). We noticed a "No Passing Zone" sign on the bridge that had seemed to have lost grip and was pointing upward - this was on the Illinois side. Also there were many faded and overlayed signs on Badger Road and later Eagle Point Road - which previously carried US 61 and US 151 into Iowa over the Eagle Point Bridge - which was our next two stops. (The rain stopped by this time and we only had rain a few more times while on the road only. First we stopped at the former approach incline on the Wisconsin side. Both this bridge and the Wagon bridge were privately owned toll bridges. This bridge lost it's responsiblity for carrying US 61 and 151 after being deemed unsafe for trucks - the two routes followed Badger Road (Then WIS 35) to Illinois and US 20, crossing the Julien Dubuque Bridge. Eventually, a freeway approach took on all three routes and Badger Road became a local town road as did Eagle Point road. The two roads come together near the latter's merge with the new freeway (known as the "Sandy Hook" Interchange. The road remained - albeit in poor shape and now only serves private housing (we thought). Any remains of the bridge itself, were completely removed as WisDOT has a thing for "getting rid of the evidence". We did catch a good view of the Iowa pillar though...
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8400/8707935131_a67b7562f2.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ssoworld/8707935131/)
Eagle Point Bridge Base in IA (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ssoworld/8707935131/) by ssoworld (http://www.flickr.com/people/ssoworld/), on Flickr
We crossed back into Iowa and headed north to that pillar - which was at the end of Rhomberg Ave (which carried the routes into Dubuque and through downtown prior to their relocation). We stopped at the now gated and fenced off approach road to the former bridge. We then crossed the railroad tracks onto the river levee by Lock and Dam 11 where we took o
If you want an idea of what the bridge looked like - see the "Old Chain of Rocks Bridge in St. Louis.
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8405/8707946347_e79b3090c4.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ssoworld/8707946347/)
Abandoned Eagle Point Bridge Approach (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ssoworld/8707946347/) by ssoworld (http://www.flickr.com/people/ssoworld/), on Flickr
We concluded the meet by crossing back into Wisconsin and heading north on US 151 past the Dickeyville Rock Cut - it doen't compare in height to the Sideling Hill Cut made for I-68 in Maryland, but it's sheer size makes it impressive nonetheless. I have no photo of it from this trip, but those that know me on Facebook have seen it as my cover photo from a different expedition. Freeways were tough to build in the Driftless Area without making hard cuts in hills to maintain good speed. We wrapped up the tour and returned to the parking ramp. (needless to say I hear one car stumbled upon a road artifact I left out due to time constraints - a stub of multi-lane Kerper Blvd that was abandoned after US 61 and 151 were routed onto the City Island Viaduct.
Eight of the twelve attendees then left and the remaining four of us took a ride up the 4th Street Elevator and caught a view of Dubuque from atop the bluff - one shot shown below - after which we parted ways to end the meet
(https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8257/8707941413_6784d47bee.jpg) (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ssoworld/8707941413/)
View of Dubuque, IA (http://www.flickr.com/photos/ssoworld/8707941413/) by ssoworld (http://www.flickr.com/people/ssoworld/), on Flickr
Thanks to everyone who attended. I believe we had a great time touring the historical points and we got our cut of hills with highway in them.
Photos from my trip there and back, and the meet itself, are up on Flickr.
See links at https://www.aaroads.com/forum/index.php?topic=2821.msg221503#msg221503