Henry County Convention & Visitors Bureau
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Go 'where no man has gone before' in southeastern Iowa
By Jeff Caldwell In a span of less than 70 miles in southeastern Iowa, you can travel from the 19th century to March 22, 2228, a date every astute 'Star Trek' fan should know by heart. You might even catch a baseball game in the process.
Riverside, Iowa:
Future birthplace
of Captain James T. Kirk
His name strikes fear in the hearts of Klingons throughout the galaxy.
But,
Captain James T. Kirk comes from humble beginnings exact. The town of around 900 residents, just south of Iowa City, pridesitself on its most famous, albeit fictional, resident. Captain Kirk,according to the Star Trek series, will be born in Riverside March 22, 2228.
As per the wishes of some die-hard fans of the show, Star Trek producers according to the Star Trek series, first began recognizing Riverside as the birthplace of Kirk, captain of the Starship Enterprise, in 1985.
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Mount Pleasant, Iowa: Midwest Old Threshers Heritage Museum
Size is always considered an indication of the advancement of technology in agriculture. Travel south from Riverside to Mount Pleasant, Iowa, for proof that this is not always true.
Fittingly located on Threshers Road, in Mount Pleasant, the Heritage Museums house a large array of antique farm implements and agricultural tools, including an extensive collection of steam-powered engines, tractors and threshers. In addition, the museums features a section devoted to women's role in the cultivation of agriculture in the last two centuries, along with a 1915 farm house complete with all the artifacts of the time period inside. The newest addition to the museums is the Wilma Bussey doll collection. The extensive collection was acquired from the Bussey family from Granite Bay, Calif.
The museums are open daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, and 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on weekends. Admission is $3 per person, with children under 14 free. Group tours and rates are available.
If your travels take you to Mount Pleasant in early September, however, you can take part in the Old Threshers Reunion. For five days leading up to Labor Day, enthusiasts and others gather in Mount Pleasant for the event, during which the antique machinery is operated and showcased. In addition, each day concludes with a concert on-site. This year's Old Threshers Reunion will feature performances by Terri Clark, Kenny Rogers and Clint Black.
For more information on the museums or Old Threshers Reunion, go online to www.oldthreshers.org, or call the museum at 319-385-8937.
Henry County, Iowa: Lake Geode
If there's a fisherman, geologist or both in your family, Lake Geode should be part of your southeastern Iowa travel itinerary. Located in the southeast corner of Henry County, Iowa, just 10 miles west of Burlington, the lake is the focal point of Geode State Park.
As its name implies, Lake Geode, in addition to the opportunities for hiking, fishing, swimming, boating, camping and picnicking, is a prime spot for discovering geode stones, those with hollow centers and lined with brightly colored crystal formations. But, like many other materials, it is illegal to remove a geode stone from the park.
For the fisherman, the 187-acre lake is inhabited by bluegill, largemouth bass, crappie and channel catfish. Boating is allowed, but motor boats are restricted to no-wake speeds only.
For more information about Lake Geode, go online to http://henrycountytourism.org/content.php?page=lake or call the Henry County Convention and Visitors Bureau at 800-421-4282.
Burlington, Iowa: Snake Alley/ Cobbleston Alley; Burlington Bees baseball
Rounding out any vacation throughout southeastern Iowa should be Burlington, a small city where there is something for every member of the family. Located on highway 34 along the Mississippi River, Burlington has a thriving downtown and entertainment district, with restaurants and coffee shops to fit any budget. Against the backdrop of the Great River Bridge, you can navigate your car or truck through Snake Alley.
Snake Alley, considered the 'crookedest street in the world,' was constructed in 1894 as an experimental street that, according to local legend, was used to test the endurance of horses used to haul city fire wagons. Today, auto traffic is still permitted on the sharply winding avenue.
Alongside Snake Alley is Cobblestone Alley. Constructed in 1878, the steep, narrow alleyway stands today as an example of the original limestone-block construction of the streets and alleys in the city during the 19th century. Both Snake Alley and Cobblestone Alley lead up to Heritage Hill, an area that has been largely restored as a 19th century residential neighborhood. Heritage Hill is highlighted by the Garrett-Phelps House. Built in 1851, the home was sold to the Des Moines County Historical Society in 1974 and today is a museum, open to the public, filled with relics and artifacts from what was typical of an 1800s-era Victorian home.
No summer vacation should be without a baseball game! If you're in Burlington, you can 'Catch the Buzz' at Community Field, home to the Burlington Bees. The Bees are the 'A' team affiliated with the Kansas City Royals. Current major league players Larry Walker and Ruben Sierra and former player and hall-of-famer, Paul Molitor, were Bees early in their careers.
While at games, kids may just have the chance to meet 'Buzz,' the Bees' mascot.
New for the 2005 season will be a remodeled Community Field, with a canopy roof over much of the stands and press box. The Burlington Bees play throughout the summer, through the end of August. Tickets are $4 for students and senior citizens, $5.50 for general admission adults and $7 for box seats.
For a Bees schedule, for tickets or any other information, go online to www.gobees.com, or call the Burlington Bees office at 319-754-5705.
Jeff Caldwell can be reached by phone at 515-280-5405, or by e-mail at jcaldwell@mchsi.com.
