Started in Davenport IA continuing the Great River Road trip. Great river views in IA. But easy to get off the GRR. Takes many turns onto many different numbered roads. Continued to have a great trip. Will be good to get home but wish I could just keep going for a while longer.

On to the last day…..

After leaving Davenport and seeing more great views of the river, came into Dubuque IA. River town. Away from the river, typical town. Along the river, it’s great! Restored shopping areas, floating casino, river views.

Main viewing for the day was the …. (see below)

…Continuing on the Great River Road

Many artists, writers and musicians who played a role in the making the Mississippi River a legend. None as great as Mark Twain.

Heading toward the northern end of the Great River Road. 

Picture Heading

Actually, a picture of a picture from the museum. Will see this in person in a few weeks.

…more from the Great River Road

Shortly after crossing the Minnesota border, came to Winona MN. Have been on the section from here to the Twin Cities before so took the fast route home!

….and to show you that I’m home!

Returning to “normal life” after 11 days on the Great River Road. Needed to “decompress”!
So, rambling again…….
By the numbers:
11 days
10 states
3100 miles
8 hotels
Cheapest gas – $1.97
States with no “Great River Road” signs – 1 (Louisiana)
State with most perceived miles with view of the river – Iowa
Facebook postings – “a lot”
Missed signs and took me off GRR – At least 15
Experience – – – PRICELESS!

Great views, unique experience. If you do something like this you must: Enjoy time by yourself, be willing to stop when you see something that you didn’t expect, be willing to not make hotel reservations until a few hours before stopping, find that cities and towns all seem to have different personalities, and much more.

Already thinking about taking another road trip of similar type. I do recommend the GRR but it’s not for everyone. If you get a chance, give it a try for a few hundred miles and it might “grow on you”. Someday, I’ll drive the GRR from the Twin Cities north to the source of the Mississippi in Lake Itasca in northern Minnesota. Probably been on a number of those roads over the years but want to drive it all in one stretch.
Driving the part from Natchez to the Gulf of Mexico is also a “wanna do” but would take more of a commitment.

Along the way, I talked with a few others who had done much of the road as well. All enjoyed the experience. However, all agreed a person could easily spend two months if you wanted to see most of what the GRR has to offer.

Realized just how much the river is “America’s water highway” for commercial shipping. And realized that one Lock and Dam looks “pretty much” like another!

Hope you enjoyed hearing about my trip and I certainly hope I’ve raised a desire to make all or part of this drive. Alone or with a group. Since this is a “history” post, I can say. “I’m already planning my trip on Route 66! I hope you’ve been paying attention because I’ve done that already and have many blog pages about it!

The Driveby Tourist