Heading to Dubuque, IA

[DonSchap]

Unfortunately, the "Galena Scenic Tower" is closed for repairs, so I had to shoot this panorama from the roadside. It was a terrific day, today, and this just begged to be taken. The truck, that is ... Arr Arr.



You can see the closed tower behind the Avalanche, in the distance. I would have much preferred to be up there, doing this shot. Like Frank, those distant trees get in the way from just the hilltop.

[DonSchap]

As I was heading back home, from the event, I decided to take an image of a church I spotted in Dubuque.
The golden sun was coming from the West, as you can imagine, so I headed up this huge hillside, the city
is built on, creating the Mississippi Valley, following one of the city streets. As I turned off the ascending
street, to what I believed to be the "top of the hill", I find this sprawling private estate sitting up there with
a private driveway. Well, I knew a shot when I saw it ... and walked along the perimimeter of the estate,
to that very edge I wanted to be on, to shoot the church ... and wound up taking this, instead ... of the
mighty Mississippi, running along Dubuque.



The bridge is US20 and the road back home.

Here's an overhead shot and my view location ... that entire green patch was this guy's property.



What a view this guy bought! So believe me, this is a rare look from money! Just thought I'd share it with you.

BTW: I waved a "thank you" to whomever may have been looking out of the house, at me, trying to be as
non-invasive as I could. GET THE SHOT!

[sparkie1263]

Nice series of shots Don. Was it hard to get in? Did you need special passes or just get there early and wait in line. I would say it was worth the wait you dd good.
Frank

[DonSchap]

Hey, thanks Frank, for your support. Actually the trip, itself, was "perfect." No snags, bobs or weaves.
Weather was 73 degrees, all the way there and no rain whatsoever. Had the sunroof open, windows down
and cruised at nearly 70 mph.

As you can imagine, despite some "picture stops", we got out to Dubuque in record time ... then went to the
GOP office in town, picked up Rally Tickets. We then headed right over to the venue, to be early and beat
the crowd like a "rented mule." Because of my "handicapped status", due to my back injury, I was able
to actually obtain very close parking and get inside there about ten minutes ahead of the real crowd,
all waiting on the other side of the building. Everyone was very supportive (perhaps knowing we had to all
stand for another three hours ) and it was truly a remarkable event. So many people showed up,
they actually had to move a large part of the following crowd into another part of the facility, where they
watched on a huge monitor.

One of the goofier moments was when I spotted this woman, standing nearby, wearing one of the best
"Rally Hats" I had ever seen:


Mrs. Governor Nelson Dewey - Wisconsin

[dr4gon]

What an experience! When we went to see Huckabee, there were so many people and we were out in the hall poking our heads in through a small door. You certainly were very fortunate to have a good vantage point!

[DonSchap]

Well ... there goes the country. There was hope ... until about 30 minutes ago. Now, it's gone. U.S.S.A. ... geez!

[dr4gon]

So, where to in Canada for 4 years?

*sigh... I hear the a900 is cheaper up there anyway!

[seanhoxx]

Don't head off to canada, dig in, hold the line, be the voice of reason and sense even to those who won't listen or can't understand. The best thing about change is that it brings more change, just hope we have more then change left over! Lets not fight about it here though, this forum is to positive to let politics mess it up. so one last line then I will let it go. I know Don is a vet not sure about anyone else here, But I also took that oath Don, remember that one line, .. against all enemies both foreign and domestic......sighs and shakes head.

[DonSchap]

True enough ... it is OUR Constitution ... I promised to keep it safe. It's just a little harder, now.

The sad part is that these children do not realize what they have done, but I assure you this ...
they will.

Let's hope they never forget the night they opened Pandora's Box ... and unleashed "the Beast."

[seanhoxx]

Just so everyone is clear Don, the man is not the beast, it will be the crushing overwhelming debt, and economic ruin of the long run, when the cost of these many changes comes do, the next generation will wonder what were they thinking. I would LOVE nothing more then to be proven wrong in this.......we shall see.