13 Jul 2022 - Field of Dreams, Fenelon Place Elevator, Dubuque Star Brewery/Winery, Shot Tower

13 Jul

 Very busy day as we explored the Dubuque area.  This morning we headed west to the Field of Dreams movie site which is north and east of Dyersville Iowa. 

We have visited here before but that was years ago with the kids.  Since then it has changed hands several times and most recently to Frank "The Big Hurt" Thomas.  The original field outfield has been expanded and they have added a huge Major League Baseball field.  Last year on 12 Aug the Chicago White Sox and the New York Yankees played the very first MLB game in Iowa right here.  Wouldn't that have been awesome to see, but not at the thousands of dollars the tickets were bringing... 

The original field was busy with families playing ball

The original house from the movie

Ray's love message to his wife Annie carved into the top bleacher in the movie

Spectator watching the game!

If you build it, he will come

Unequipped second baseman

What an awesome place!

The MLB field was closed to visitors due to construction going on, but you can see it in the distance.   On August 9th, the Quad Cities River Bandits and Cedar Rapids Kernels will be the first Minor League Baseball teams to play at The Field of Dreams.  Then on August 11th, the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds are scheduled to play there. 

The MLB field

Security keeping curious visitors out of the MLB field

Cell tower upgrades in preparation for the MLB and MiLB games

We then headed into Dubuque to the Fenelon Place Elevator, which is a cable car that was installed in 1882, powered by steam engine, that provided transportation from the downtown area up to the top of the bluffs.  There are two cars that run and bypass each other half way up.  The controller is at the top as is the 25 horse power AC motor and the 60:1 gear reduction system.  

A view from the bottom.  You board the car inside that building

Looking up towards the top

Looking back down

The other car coming down as we go up

The cables and wooden pulleys are visible

The car at the top

Great view of the City of Dubuque and the Mississippi River

he car waiting for passengers to go back down

It  costs $4 per person round trip to ride and you pay at the top.  Inside the building at the top is the hardware that makes it work, and the operator that runs it.  

The motor and gear reduction device 

The controls

Doreen heading back down

Very old buildings in Dubuque.  These are at the bottom of the elevator

A well-positioned ice cream shop waiting for us at the bottom!

After the ride and the ice cream we drove to Dubuque Star Brewing Company for a cold one and a light lunch.  It is a beautifully preserved building to say the least!

A view from the levy with outside dining area

Huge can collection featuring Star beer among others

They also are a winery so we sampled some wines too, and ordered and split a flat bread for lunch

Outside the brewery is the Shot Tower which dates back to 1856.  They made lead shot bullets there.  It was closed to visitors but an interesting place

Thats it for tonight.  Tomorrow my childhood friends Kyle and Ken Jackson from DeWitt are driving up for lunch!