You can read about the history of the Mines of Spain or view a map of the trails if you are interested. (wink to Jen!) And, most certainly, if you ever find yourself in Dubuque, Iowa you would not want to miss this beautiful place.
We started off on the Horseshoe Bluff Nature Trail, which turned out to be my favorite. We were among some impressive rock formations. The trail started at the base, and wound its way up to a lookout point. At this lookout, we could view the Julien Dubuque monument, which to Hope resembled Rapunzel's tower. :)
We saw this little bridge 'off' the trail, and encouraged the kids that we should take the time to explore it. We told them that sometimes it is important to go off the path!
I love it when I see something beautiful, in this case these purple flowers, growing in an unlikely place. The ground here was dry and rocky, and yet there was something delicate placed there by God's deliberate hand.
From the lookout point, this is the Julien Dubuque monument. Our next trail would take us right up to the monument and another spectacular viewing point. From there we were able to look back and find this spot where we had previously been.
Geoffrey snapped these two pictures (above and below) along the way.
After our completion of this first trail, we made our way to the start of the second trail we chose, the Julien Dubuque trail. According to the trail list, we were expecting a level trail leading us to the Julien Dubuque monument. Well, not to be! As it turns out, we had started at the bottom of the Julien Dubuque foot trail, and needed to do a climb up (and up) before reaching that level walk we (i.e., the kids) were promised. They were good sports, for sure, but I do recall hearing Geoffrey comment once or twice "Yeah, this trail is really level." We made it, of course, and enjoyed our reward! The lookout point offered wonderful views of the entire area, including the Mississippi River. After enjoying the beautiful views, we retraced our steps and made our way back down.
Another favorite thing of mine... viewable tree roots. I just think it is neat to be able to see what is normally hidden below the earth.
Another example of beauty growing up and living in an unlikely place.
"Are we at the top of this level trail yet?"
On level ground at last, we made our way to the monument which Hope was still convinced was, in fact, Rapunzel's tower.
Looking back on where we'd been. Just as important as going off the path sometimes.
Here is Hope in front of the monument. After seeing it up close, Hope declared, "This is my favorite castle!"
Triumphant at the end of trail #2!! On to trail #3... our biggest adventure yet!
After our completion of this trail, we headed toward our final trail of the excursion, the Catfish trail. The description of this trail promised us a "wide range of area," going at one point along Catfish Creek, and also going into forested areas. What the description of the trail didn't tell us is that the trail is not particularly well marked. We did reach a point of decision, deep in the forest, regarding which way to go. Steve & Geoffrey studied the trail map, and followed their instincts (luckily they were in agreement!) about which direction we should go. We girls trusted them, and off we went on a climb that just went up and up (and up some more) to the point that I think we were each secretly wondering when we would reach the end, and if this was the right way after all. The men were suitably proud of themselves when we ended up right where we needed to be (isn't that usually the case).
Still all smiles!
Hope sat down on this step, still happy and having hiked at this point at least two hours total. Then she stood back up to begin walking again and promptly began to cry.
Daddy carried her the rest of the way.
Daddies are good like that.
Happy! All of us happy!
What a feeling of accomplishment.
Any guesses what our family has planned for this coming weekend? That's right... hiking!
No comments:
Post a Comment