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Convention & Visitors Bureau Report li~-l)- L_.B~~!~- L~\;{~~. (~1~\~lBLR ':I~:()~-.\;~-~~ . 'lY CO]\;\TNTION 8<. VISITORS BUREAU I ----.-------.--------.-- - -.--.-------.- -_._._-~ October 11, 2004 Jeanne Schneider City Of Dubuque 50 W. 13th Street Dubuque, IA 52001 Jeanne: The Convention & Visitors Bureau is requesting to be placed on the agenda for the November 1,2004, City Council meeting to go over the Convention & Visitors Bureau report. Thank you! »~ Sue Czeshinski, Director ~ ~u~!-~~~-~~~ 'lY CONVENTION & VISITORS BUREAU October 27, 2004 Memo To: Mayor Duggan City Manager, Mike Van Milligen Jim Waller, Chair City Council Members Eric Manternach, Chair County Supervisors Mary Ann Specht, Administrative Assistant Denise Dolan Fr: Keith Rahe, Chair Sue Czeshinski, Director Re: Quarterly Report July-October 2004 The Dubuque Convention and Visitors Bureau has worked on many key projects during the third quarter (July-October 2004) and has seen significant growth in visitation during this quarter. Consumer marketing programs were implemented and advertising continued, group sales efforts were aggressive including sales blitz trips, F AM tours and servicing, and group tour business peaked with many motorcoaches coming into Dubuque and securing dates for the next two years. Travel media continued to visit Dubuque to gather information for upcoming travel features on Dubuque and state wide visitation numbers were released by the Governor showcasing Dubuque County as one of the top Iowa cities with significant growth over 2002 in visitation and spending by visitors. Consumer travel was strong during the third quarter. July and September saw record occupancy numbers. This was the strongest they have been since 2000 which was nationally a record year. The Bureau worked with industry members to finalize consumer packages featuring the Arts, Family Fun, Outdoor Adventure, River Adventure, Winter Getaways, Romantic Get A ways, and Wine Tours. These packages have been targeted to past visitors and are being promoted through the internet to consumers interested in coming to Dubuque. The Dubuque CVB also continued to film for the new video that is being created thanks to the ORA grant that was received this year. The CVB will make major changes and updates to the current CVB video and convert it to a DVD format this year. Group Tour Travel was also strong during the Summer and Fall. Many groups came to enjoy the day long river cruises and big band cruises that the Celebration Belle makes 300 MAIN STREET SUITE 200 P.O. Box 7°5 DUBUQUE, IA 52°°4-°7°5 (563)557-9200 (563)557-1591 E-MAIL: OITICE@DuBUQUECHAMBER.COM WEB SITE: WWW.TRAVELOUBLJQLJE.COM available. Other boat tours have also expressed interest in future over night dates in Dubuque. The Delta Queen continues to bring travelers to Dubuque as well. All of these tours are weekday business that has helped the community to generate new business. Convention sales and marketing continues to produce results. The CVB has attended many large shows during the past several months. These include American Society of Association Executives, the Destination Showcase in Chicago, the Affordable Meetings Show in Washington D.C. and Affordable Meetings Show in Chicago. The response from these shows were positive and the sales committee members continue to make follow up sales calls to these potential leads. The committee also did a sales blitz in Des Moines recently calling on over 25 meeting planners. The response to this effort was also very positive. It will be followed up with calls and a 2005 Spring FAM tour of Dubuque. The group also hosted a Fall FAM tour for meeting planners from around the region. The response to this was very positive and several larger groups have interest in coming to Dubuque as a result. The travel media continues to visit Dubuque and write favorable stories on the area. Dan Archer, Editor and Chief of Midwest Living Magazine was one of the many that came for a tour. Dan is writing a book on the best Midwest destination visits. Sections of the book will be worked into upcoming articles also featuring Dubuque. Other writers and stories are attached for your review. The most recent statistics regarding travel in Iowa were released at the last Vision Iowa meeting in Des Moines at a press conference hosted by the Governor. Dubuque County leads the state in increased travel expenditures by visitors with an increase in spending of 6.3 over 2002. The total spending in Dubuque County was $186 million, almost a dollar for dollar return on the America's River project investment which only part of the project had been open during 6 months of that time. f- Publication AAA Home & Away Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, lllinois American Banker Anew Magazine Madison, Wisconsin Association News Back on the Mississippi Des Moines Register Endless Vacation Gayle H:Il}Jer Photography Page 1 Editorial Information Submitted Update October 27, 2004 Amy Link, Marketing Manager Publication Date July/August 2004 September 1,2004 October 2004 July 2004 June 27-29, 2004 August, 2004 September 26, 2004 July/August 2004 September 2004 Information Sent / Article Description Celebraing the Mighty Miss: New river museum and complex are part of$188 million project along Dubuque's riverfront As a City Battles for Talent, Lender Offers (Student) Aid Galena & Dubuque Weekend Getaways for Women Destination: The Heartland States Cedar Rapids & Dubuque: Small- Town Charm & Big-City Service PBS Special on the Mississippi, fihned a portion in Dubuque Minnesota PBS in June Iowa PBS in August Boat & Breakfast The Midwest's Best Bets (riverboat gaming) I Completing Photography Series on [Life in our River Town Date Sent Notes 3/28/03 - January 2004 I CVB Input 8/29/2004 [CVB Input ICVB Input CVB Input 7/1/2003 CVB Input CVB Input, Mike Whye 5/21/2004 Circulation 788,000 20,000 254,820 I I ICVB Input[ 1.5 million I LCVB Input Editorial Information Submitted Update October 27, 2004 Amy Link, Marketing Manager Information Sent / Article Publication Publication Date Description Date Sent Notes Circulation Upcomill!! Features: Indoor Waterpark Feature, includes Still AAA Home & Away January / Februuary 2005 Grand Harbor Planning CVB Input What's New for Group Tour in Visited Destinations Magazine November or December 2004 Dubuque 8/23-8/25 CVB Input Fishing in the Midwest TV Visited Program October 2004 Walleye Fishing on the Mississippi 10/6-10/8 CVB Input Road Trippin' with Dan, Editor-in- Visited -- Midwest Living May / June 2005 Chief 9/21-9/22 CVB Input , Featuring What to see on Vacation Visited Discovery America I in each State, visited Museum 9/10 - To date have worked with 30 media inquiries this year. i Page 3 CSEP CERTIFIEr) SPECIAL EVENT PROFESSIONAL CSP CERTIFIED SPEAKING PROFESSIONAL DMCP OmlNATION MANAGEMENT CERTIFIED PROmSIONAl LES LEARNING ENVI RONMENT SPECIALIST ISES Con.>ldmd the hallmatk of prof",ional achievement. thi, d"igo"ion teflew a commitment to profe"io",,1 conduct and ethi". . Accumulate poin" through experience and "tvice . Srart ,elf "udy program'" "udy group . Comprehensive exam . www."e,.com INTERNATIONAL SPECIAL EVENTS StX:!ETY NSA . Mu" "tVe a minimum of a 00 different dien" within 5 y,"tO. . Mu" sobmir feS(imonialleffetV from dients "rved and pcofev- ,ionelly prepered promnriunal mareriak. . hcellenr rating' perfonTIance evaluarions . www.t>ôa'Peaker.mg NAnONAL SPEAKERS ASSOCIATION MANAGEMENT EXECUTIVES O"igncd to in"'a" the pwf",ionalivm wilhin rhe de"ination manageraent . Comprehensive exam industry by e"ablisliing a level of knowl- . Emollraent fee edge and perfmmance nec"""y I", celli. . www.adme.m" ¡brion. PCMA Thi' program aids rhe candidate in undet"anding of the concept of lifelong learning and the importance uf rhe le".n. ing environment as central plan edu""ional event' etO . Comptehensive exam . Requit" thtee.day seminer . Pre.conference a"ignmen" . www.pcma.orR PROFESSIONAL CONVENTION MANAGEMENT ASSOCIATION WWW.HENNENPU8L1SHING.COM 87 Leg 4: Sept 13-Sept 24 Mtdwœt Living a Return Home aBack to Story Leg 4: Sept 13-Sept 24 MINNESOTA The fourth leg of the trip is set for September 13 to the 24th from Brainerd, Minnesota to Des Moines, Iowa, Here are a few of the places Dan plans to visit along the way: Page 1 of 6 http://www.midwestliving.com + ENLAAGE IMAGE Leg 4 of Dan's trip, . DAYS ONE & TWO: Monday, September 13 and Tuesday, September 14 Brainerd area (Grand View and various resorts, Nlsswa shops, Paul Bunyan statue, Kavanaugh's resort where lance interviewed the chef) and Darwin (world's largest bail of twine) + ENLAAGE IMAGE Brainerd Lake "I began my journey in the north woods of Minnesota on Sunday with a stop in Darwin to see the world's biggest ball of twine created by one person, You've gottta' see it to believe it, I stayed at the historic Grandview Resort on beautiful Gull Lake in the Brainerd Lakes area, I experienced some fishing with legendary fishennan Ron Lindner, Of course, while you're in the Brainerd Lakes area, you have to see Paul Bunyan, so I stopped to see his 5,OOO-pound talking statue, I also visited the popular area resort towns of Nisswa and Pequot Lakes, Then I did a little walleye cooking with Executive Chef Tom Cavanaugh of Cavanaugh's Resort on Sylvan Lake, "Tomorrow it's on to Stillwater and the Twin Cities area," . DAYS THREE & FOUR: Wednesday, September 15 & Thursday, September 16 http://www.midwestliving.comlmwl/printableStory ,jhtml ?storyid=/templatedatalmwl/stor.., I 0/12/2004 Leg 4: Sept 13-Sept 24 Twin Cities (various attractions in Minneapolis and St. Paul including Minneapolis lakes, Calhoun Square, downtown Minneapolis, Hmong district of St. Paul, cathedral and state capitol, Grand Avenue neighborhood, Swedish American Museum, St. Croix River and Stillwater bookstores, Mall of America) Page 2 of6 + ENLe""E 'Me"E Downtown 51. Paul Wednesday: "After I started out with a hearty breakfast and a tour of the new Glacial Waters spa at Grandview Lodge, it was off to the Cross Lake studio of metal sculptor Jeff Kreitz, who draws inspiration for his creations in stainless steel, copper and brass from the moose, eagles and fish olthe north country he toves so much. "Then I headed to Stillwate~ Minnesota, which is on the National Registry of Historic Places and sits right on the St, Croix river in the beautifui St, Croix valiey, While exptoring the shops, I visited with Thomas Loome about his antiquarian bookstores, and I actualiy got to page through an Italian volume that dates back to the 1500s, Then I wrapped up the day with dinner at the St, Paul Grili at the Sf. Paul Hotel, What else would I have but Minnesota walieye?" Thursday: "I'm here in historic St, Paul Hotel in the heart of this revitalized and older of the Twin Cities, What a day I had yesterday, packed with visiting the wondetful attractions in this Minnesota state capital city, I toured the capitol building itself and went ali the way to the top to explore close-up the refurbished quadriga statute with four horsemen atop the building, I also visited the city's mammoth cathedral and the incredible James Hill home across the street, representing the Gilded Age tycoons of Americen history, Then I drove down the longest stretch of Victorian homes and mansions in America, Summit Avenue, "Exploring the history center, I "sUlvived" a tomado in a wondetful exhibit about Minnnesota's weather extremes, During a stop at the children's museum, I tried hands-on attractions like the popular giant anthili, "Then it was a visit to two theatrical centers, the Fitzgerald Theater, where Garrison Keilior's live weekly petfonnances of '~ Prairie Home Companion" take place, and the Oops Dinner Theatre in north St, Paul, where DIy and Lena hold forth with their folksy Norwegian humor, Dinner was at historic Forepaugh's in the Irvine Park district near downtown, It's a purportedly haunted Victorian mansion where we had a superb dinner to cap off a superb day," . DAYS FIVE & SIX: Friday, September 17 & Saturday, http://www.midwestliving.comlmwVprintableStory .jhtrnl ?storyid=/templatedatalmwVstor... I 0/12/2004 Leg 4: Sept 13-Sept 24 September 18 Austin (Spam Museum) and Root River Valley (Lanesboro, bicyclinglhiking traii, other towns along traii) Page 3 of 6 "Yesterday was the perfect blue- sky, sunny day for exploring Minneapolis, the younger and larger of the Twin Cities, Of course, I had to start at the Mary Tyler Moore statue, recalling that famous TV show, The statue stands on Nicollet Mall, the main pedestrian artery downtown, I also visited the Mill City Museum, which recalls the flour-milling industry that made Minneapolis such a great city along the Mississippi River, On the arts side of things, I explored the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and the famous Spoon With Cherry sculpture in the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, + ENLARGE '"AOE Lanesboro "I ended my day of touring at the Mall of America in Bloomington, where there's more "stuff" than you could ever imagine, along with Camp Snoopy for the kids. I had a great lunch at Brit's Pub and a perfect dinner at the sleek Cosmos restaurant in the new Le Meridien hotel downtown" WISCONSIN & IOWA . DAYS SEVEN & EIGHT: Sunday, September 19 and Monday, September 20 Milwaukee, rescheduled from Leg Two (iakefront attractions, new art museum, a Mexican restaurant that shows the newly diverse ethnic character of Milwaukee, Riverwalk, Villa Terrace, Pabst Mansion) and Cedarburg (the mill building) + ENLARGE '"AOE Riverwaik Sunday: "'Sunday in Milwaukee' might have been my theme yesterday as I started at the Milwaukee Art Museum and its beautiful bird-like structure on the Milwaukee lakefront, I We watched the mechanical "flaps" open and close and visited the museum's wonderful collections of folk art, modem art and Haitian art, I strolled the riverfront downtown and stopped at a sidewalk café for lunch and watched fishermen, kayakers and other boaters on this river that floats right through the heart of downtown with all of its modem, as well as fanciful German, architecture, "Dinner was Le Fuente in the Fifth & National Latino district, representing the new ethnic character of Milwaukee with more than a dozen Latino restaurants and bars. In contrast, I'm staying http://www.midwestliving.comlmwllprintableStory .jhtml ?storyid=/templatedatalmwllstor... 10/12/2004 Leg 4: Sept 13-Sept 24 at the grand old pfister Hotel, The city's German heritage is also represented by a visit to the Pabst Mansion, where Capt, Frederick Pabst ruled his brewing empire here in Milwaukee, " Monday: "Today I explored more of Milwaukee's historic neighborllOods including the Villa Terrace Mansion with its beautiful gardens overlooking Lake Michigan from a blufftop near downtown, I also visited the Warehouse District and historic Third Street and had a proper German meal, including wienerschnitzel and sauerbraten, at Maders, 'Then it was off to Cedarburg on the northern edge of Milwaukee, This historic German settlement dates back to the mid-185Gs and was founded as a mill town, At one time, Cedarburg had five mills, Iwo of which stand today as places you can visit, shop for crafts, meet artisans or spend a lovely weekend at local inns and enjoy several restaurants, The distinctive limestone buildings of Cedarburg have survived thanks to the craftsmanship of the German stonecutters who built these houses and mills, " IOWA Days 9 & 10 . DAYS NINE AND TEN: Tuesday, September 21 & Wednesday, September 22 Great River Road (Lansing to Dubuque, including houseboat rental concession in Lansing, Effigy Mounds national monument, Pike's Peak state park, Balltown Inn restaurant, and Dubuque's new National Mississippi River museum and aquarium, Fenelon Place Elevator and other attractions in Dubuque) + ENCAAOE IMAGE Dubuque Museum "In Dubuque, I visited the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, where Ileamed about all kinds of topics related to this great river and its significance to the United States as a whole, I saw exhibits relating to history, the people along the river, issues affecting the river and lots of wildlife, including very scary-looking alligator turtles and some paddlefish. "Then it was off to Our Lady of the Mississippi River Monastery fora taste of some of the heavenly caramels made by the sisters here at their cloister overlooking the river, "In Dubuque, I rode to the top ofthe Fenelon Place Elevator, The world's longest and steepest incline railway in operation since the 188Gs led us to a fantastic view of the steeples and rooftops of http://www.midwestliving.comlmwllprintableStory.jhtml ?storyi d=/templatedatalmw 1/ stor. . . Page 4 of6 1011212004 Leg 4: Sept I3-Sept 24 Dubuque, Page 5 of6 "I returned to Lansing for a wonderful ride on the Mississippi River Explorer Cruise with Capt. Jack Libby, a true river rat, who showed us the serenity and beauty of the river's backwaters above Lansing, A great dinner in Galena at Fried Green Tomatoes capped off a wonderful day, " ILLINOIS & lOW A . DAY ELEVEN: Thursday, September 23 Galena (main street, historic homes, Grant's home, Eagle Ridge resort), dinner at Amana Colonies (specifically, Ox Yoke Inn restaurant) "I began the day at Eagle Ridge Resort & Spa, a part of the vast Galena Territory Development, I explored the golf courses and resort property in this beautiful wooded area near Galena, This was a lead-mining and steamboating town that time forgot; vacationers discovered it in recent years, I visited the home overlooking the Galena River Valley that President Ulysses Grant was presented with after the Civil War as a thank you, I toured shops offering all kinds of wares along Main Street and the historic De Soto House Hotel, where President Abraham Lincoln once spoke from the balcony and Presidents Grant and McKinley were guests, + ENCAROE 'MAOE Grant Park 'Then it was off to Iowa's Amana Colonies, where I visited this historic communal vii/age and had dinner at the Ox Yoke Inn" IOWA Day 12 . DAY TWELVE: Friday, September 24 Pelia (Dutch heritage sites, bakery) and Des Moines (Living History Farms including 1850s farm, 1875 Town of Walnut Hili and Wallace Center) "The finale of my trip was back home in central Iowa, where I visited the towns of Boone, Perry and my hometown of Des Moines, In Boone, I took a gO-minute round-trip on the Boone & Scenic Valley Railroad line over the high bridge that handles trains 15 stories above Bass Point Creek. I also viewed the Shelley Bridge, which is named for a local girl who saved the day by warning an oncoming train of a bridge washout, http://www.midwestliving.comlmwllprintableStory .jhtml ?storyid=/templatedatalmwllstor... 1 0/12/2004 Leg 4: Sept 13-Sept 24 Page 6 of 6 "Then in Perry I visited the Hotel Patee and the various attractions associated with Hometown Perry Iowa, a project that highlights small-town lite in Iowa, "Finally, it was home again to my own thriving town of Des Moines, where the big industries are insurance and financial services, but fanning remains a strong influence, In the Des Moines suburb of Urbandale, I visited Living History Fanns, where I toured a fann from the 1850s and the re-created town of Walnut Hill and took a look at fanning in the future and fanning's impact on society around the globe, "After eight weeks on the road, I owe a big "thank you" to everyone who helped make my joumey such a success!" netic!' 1f<.!':~:!!t'1:! ~ Copyright 2004 Meredith COI:poration. All Rights Reserved. http://www.midwestliving.comlmwllprintableStory .jhtrnl ?storyid=/templatedatalmwllstor... 10/12/2004 MIDWEST IoitmJ j~ay ltgiøUr TRAVELER ABBOTT, Assistant Managing Editor -B029/email: jabþott@dmreg,com SUN September 26. OLIDAYS h rides, dog tours n a horse-drawn n a five-day family tour to Finland and hat begins Dec, 16, will see a ballet at insky Theater in Sf. Irg, attend a al holiday party at a palace, then fly to An overnight train them to Lapland, ley will take a ,d sled tour near the olari. Cost $1,849 on, double cy including hotel ] accommodations, to St. Petersburg and are not included, Call 17-1136; see yond iestravel.com, VENTURES 19 expedition uth Pacific , the South Pacific Massachusetts ] Society Dn a k birding expedition ns Nov, 13, The ;enger Clipper will saii to the Fiji Jatu archipeiagos and ,donia, The cruise from Nadi, Fiji and ends in Noumea, by two days in Australia, Cost: ] rate from $4,820 per lcluding odations, meals, cursions and Is In Sydney, Airfare tnd Sydn'eyis not , Call (800) 4, or see www,mass .org/NH Travel. mNATION 'beat trip gh Japan In offbeat ànd leaten-path road trip southern Japan on a our that departs Nov, group will visit i Gorge; Mounts Yufu I; naturai hot springs s the Hells; Mount ke, .an active volcano; Kintaikyo Bridge over iki River in Iwakuni, ,iroshima. ipants also will visit , of Hiroshima, , i and Kyoto, Cost Jer person, including ip airfare from cities, bus, boat and air transportation, most meals, Jos, hot springs and th an English- 1 guide, Call (310) 6, see www,hermes ine,coni, NEWS fees rline tickets 'ing the recent lead of st Airlines, four other .Iines - American. tai, US Airwavs and cheaper, latest tips before packing your bags It's moose, elk season in the West Book a villa in Jamaica The G!'andTe!on Lodge Ço.(q¡ll (800)628-9988 or see WWW.gtlc.com) bas a Moose Lover's Special on select dates through Oct. 5. Pay $128 a night and see some o( ",- ..", n. on ~~oø "'0' 1;"0 ;~ ("_.~" .,..~~- "..,.--, If Jamaica's your pleasure, book a villa through Dec.l4 with savings of as much as 40 percent. There are villas for honeymoon couples, families and large groups, Each comes with a cook, laundress. hou'ekeeper and butler, Rates per bedroom, per night, start at $110, Find out m"r~ at wwwiamaiNWilla<mm Travel bag has $palc:iOIiS ÇQrnpall'bnents )3agg¡¡!!jnj's spacious, newO!1ly!3agg bas so many storage compartments you're less IikeJy to run 0\It of pockets than things to in them. The 1O-inch-lJigb, 5.5-inch-wide, 7.5-inch'-<leel shoulder bag bas a center compartment willi three ~~~:n~_~ca:en..-,,~~l)ol~,~ fol round-trip from Des Moines ~ other cities $287 AA CO OL NW UA AA NW UAUS 'co :hlng!on, D.C. $214 YX JAu~.. Omaha $218 co .#'¡'¡F~fNi.~L'.""H' $320 CO DL NW UA US YX !;Ii' ~ ~à þ~ ~u~ W~ ,g'iNiUSWNH lAÜS'.'.'.'" les to Las Vegas. Fares in September , TIckets not sold through Fly-4-Less. nericanAirlines tickets. See www.aa.com for fare prices on American Airlines. Dls.lalme~ Fares are meant World destinations as a guide only, Fares were researched at 11:17 a,m, Sept. 22 for departure on or after Ihattime and date: Fares are out prior noti.e, and are also ty and restrictions on flight n some cáses, Extremely limited es, may. not be included, Taxes >n the most up-to-date fares, ;) FLY-4-LESS or visit FL Y-4-LESS, Tt-opicat Round-trip rom De, Moines CancunMexico $678 CO ¥.!i~i~ii9.~~~;:¡~m~¡;;;;......if5.1?:..HWiii~...' Nassau, Bahamas $513 Dl/EV si:"Ïiïöñïäš;ü:s:ïij;'" ""$72i""'Ü¡;;".."'" European: Round-trip rom Des Moines -'\!!1S.t~!]i1>m"" """,~),~"""~(N"1,fJ@1,)"" ~@.~!!f!!,~"""". ",J6~~"",!,IAJt~..1,g!i?:n", t.~,qQ~..,,' ".,mz.."9.~,(tQ..1.gJ:19,,L, t,1~d,ctd". ""$,6!~"",PW,Q..1Q!3..!)",, P~m>,.". ""'!61!!"""u,AJt~"1.fJ@1J", Rom. $550 DL(to 10131) big bang for travel buck If budget is an over- riding issué, there's no better place to wheel and deal to Ime- stretch your cash. ,ing hosteJs and guest houses cooled by ~Ies fansinstead of air conditioning. But , rmg now average Joe travelers atriving .star with luggage on rollers are dis- you coveringthatfor $50 or $5Oanight, bath it's pqssible to bathe surrOlmded in , marble and lounge on. a private I.Sta, deck overlooking the ocean. -bit For those who like to have all the or :,a deWls planned out in advance, log 10re on for limitless bargains. Sites like I get wwwJatestays,cotniare great for : put booking hotels in Thailand, Ma, and, laysia and Indonesia. hou- But if you like to see exactly For what you're getting before hand- ¡uals ing over your credit card, then of- : to ten the best deals can be had simply ,uro by showing up and haggling. r, 12 Once you get settled, a little legwork can save a lot more. In- f 11 stead of asking the hotel to book a East driver or excursion for you, in- ,sia, quire at independent tourist agen- Sin- cies on the street. But even then, am), never book at the first place. For ture instance, a British traveler on a perb tour òfVietnam's and lund Cat Ba Island recen for ions. a two-day tour - er- g is- ican couple on the same trip paid 'heel $13 apiece. The lesson learned is that it's best tin1y to shop around or try to cut the :ized middle man out altogether by >asic booking with the company actually )Ian- lead yis jjng running the tour, Many booking agents, how!Ner, will insist that you take "tourist" boats, ferries, etc. True, that'sof- ten the easiest way to get from here to there, but local boats are great for short trips or crossings and they. will save you a bundle.' Forexari1ple, posh tourist. boats froínBali, IndMesia,tôneighbor- ingNusa LerIlbongan can cost up to $40 each way for an hour ride. The local boat (theonJy locals on board are usua1lythecaptmn and crew) costs about $5 eách way for 'about 30 minutes longer on a more basic vessel. . Since the tour companies d:wì- ousIy don~ want you to. know about this, how do you find out about these âeals? Easy: Think and ask Guidebooks like Lonely Planet are helpful and there are tons of Web sites with. prices, schedules and lots of other useful informa- tion including cheap domestic flights, trains, boats, etc. Travel chat rooms and message boards can also point you in the right di- rection.. But when in a pincl1, ask a local. Drivers can be very helpful - especial1y if they think you might be looking for a ride to the place you're asking about. One thing is essenti,ù, though- negotiate a price upfront. Too many visitors make the mistake of hopping into taxis and expecting a metered fare onJy 10 have the driver tell them they owe $20 for a $5 ride. Again, always ask ¡ Ind bargain. MIKE WHYE I PHOTOS SPECIAL TO THE REGISTER Creating quite a stir: A mannequin stirs a pot in the boat's galley, or kitchen,located between the crew's mess and the officers' mess. Stay overnight in ship's quarters BOAT, from Page 3E guests staying in the staterooms must trot down the interior pas- sageway to use the head - that's sailor talk for hathroom. Despite the lack of amenities one would find at a typical B&B else- where in Dubuque (plush beds, fine antiques, private baths), the Black ,has its fans. 'We've been getting rave re- views from the people who have stayed here, They love it," said museum spokesman Jeff Holmes, Holmes added that the museum. does not pretend to be a luxurious B&B or even a hotel. "If people are expecting some- thing like a fancy hotel, they're going to be disappointed," he said. "So we tell them upfrortt what's here, and those who have come and liked it are the adventurous typeS. They write letters hack that they carI~ wait to tell thêir friends they. . stayed overnight' on a riVerboat" Some folks even like that the Black has no televisions, radios or phones. "One has to rememberthatwe're an authentic riVerboat, not the Qt:teenMary.We're a bit Spartan, although we' do have. electricity , and water," said Holmes with a laugh. After checking in between 6 and 7 p.m., overnight guests on the 'Black are given a behind.fi1e- scenes tour of the boat, unlike any tour given during the day to reg¡>: Jar museum. visitors. "Theygetto go into the boweJs of the boat - the engine room, the boilers and such. They get to see the idiOSyncrasies and minutiae of the boat not covered irì the regular tours,"explained Holmes. An evening snack is provided, al- though guests usually have supper on shore. During the nigl¡t, guests occa- sionally hear the mournful sound of riVerboats' deep and drawn-out horns and the quick toots of their whistles as they pass the Ice Harbor, In the morning, they are treated to what Holmes called a "hearty riVerboat breakfast" in the mess (dinirlgroom) next to.theboafs galley (kitchen). Checkout is usu- ally scheduled between 8 and two bells (8 and 9 a.m.). Besides ac:cominodatingpenple in the staterooms, the Black can handle groups of up to 32 people in the crew's quarters at the rear of Dowllthehall: A typìéal officer's stateroom has doors leading to the deck and an interior passageway. the upper deck. Although the bunk Aquarium, that plans were put into beds have mattresses, theguesta motion to permit visitors to stay are expected to suppIytheir own overnight on the Black sheets and coV'ers or sleepirig hags. The work included improve- Although the galley and messes ments to the Black's electrical and separate the crew's quarters and water systems. At the stern, an eJ- the staterooms, to afford those in evator was installed SO those with staterooms privacy from the noise pbysical handicaps carl access the that can accompany-groups stay- upper deck. ing in the CtØ\Vs qiliu'!êfs;me mu- "We figure we'll be open prima- ~..~,ngf,~4<I\i!!?'<Í$itors in riIy during the warme¡: months, tj)e_ØpÍílS'¡l!idc:r-.~ers from spring until fall. We're a bit mthê$!! etin1è; '~;"'H. weather-dependent," said Holmes, WI1iIe the Black has been an ex- who added that the musewn wants -ìn'bit at what was origina1ly the to keep the Black open through Riyerb<¡at Musewn after it retired October before shutting. down its in 1973, Holmes.said itwasn~t untiL--15Vernight operations for the the tnUSeun1 expanded, opening winter, . !l!styear as the new National Mis- Mike Why. Is a freelance wrller whn sissippi River Museum and lI'as 'n Cn.ncil Stull.. LORADO CRUISE ONE LAKESHORE rentat in 10 RENTALS #1 ;nC,u;s;ng ~~-'tI'a~3Jj~'¡,r",7 t.\frg~A~~m \,;l~£i~!~~;};l~ 515.293-2486 (E,in) . Day..trip~ ThiS week We uncover. the best of York PAGES 1-4,5 August 2 SEC Pl thern-style eateries cook up taste, ambience small, customers wait in line to peer at the buffet of sausa¡œ, biscuits with strawberry or fig jam, jambalaya, chopped steak, fried chicken and pork ~hnno ---...- ..." - 1-0 ,UNIJAY PATRIOT-NEWS SUNDAY, AUGUST 22, 2004 RIVER: Waterway offers a great' story Continued IroO) Page 1-1 OTHER THINGS TO DO " encountered. Way before Spanish explor- er Hern¡¡ndoDe Soto, the fIrst European knoWn to have seen it, crossed the Mississippi in 1541 near what now is Mem- pms, Tenn., the river was a magnet for man. Its pristine waters, .in spots deeper than 100 feet and teeming. with food, doubled as a mghway . for the ancients. The banks thàt hosted hap- py reunions also ran red with the blood of battle. The waterfront attracted thirsty game for hunters to stalk and e>;posed" stones' prized " for arrowhead . making. The river's banks were among this continent's ori\>ÎJ1al corri- dors of commerce. Man's era on the Mississip, pi .Riveris well-documented in the museum's interactive hauled sand and gravel on the theaters and eJdûbits. Its main river. Not so unnsual - until fe.atures are the National'Ri.v- yoir learn..that they did it on à ers Hall of Fame, five aquari- barge that also was their urns, a riverboat niuseum, , home.' . wetlands, boatyarq and refur- The river also is home to a liished train depot. myriad of wild creatures; and , The museum salutes the the museum has a heavy ac-. early river people- and chroni- cent on nature. Its aquariumS cles the exploits of the build- and displays are devoted to ers and inventors who made dozens and dozens of life- their marks, as well as the art- forms that appear in an array ists, writers and musicians of aquatic-environments. whose. inspiration flowed. The big stars in the Main from the river. Charinel aquarium are the The Mississippi's system of lake. sturgeon, which reaches 29 locks and dams, erected 9.feet in the river,. and the largely during the Great De- paddlefish, which grows to 7 pressidn, symbolizes the. feet. works of the fornier. The rich Other fish in the aquarium literary legacy of Mark Twain (mrodmum lengths as record- (did you know he earned a ed in the river) are: . riverboat pilot's license in Freshwater drum (3 feet), 1859?) speaks eloquently. for flathead catfish (5 feet), blue the latter.. catfish (5. feet), longuose gar Mostly, though, there were (54 inches), black buffalo (30 minor players: the riverboat inches), largemouth bass (38 gamblers, dock workers, me- inches), channel catfish (3 chanics, merchants -.. the" feet), wmte bass (15 inches), working men ánd women, northern hogsucker (I8 Among these crews of com- inches), shorthead redborse merce were three generations (I8 inches), American eel (40 of the Logsdon family who inches) and bowfin (30 . Ride;:enelon Place Elevator, in Dubuque, ,.the world's steepest, shortest sCenic rail- way: 296 feetlóngål1d ele. vatingpassengers 189 feet,of, feringan overlook ófDubUque andthecomersófthreecstatilS ' '. (round trip: adults$l5Ö,thii. dren 50 tents or free under . ageS). ' , . Måquoketá Caves State' . Park, less than an. hour's drive from Dubuque south ,along U.S. RoutE! 61. Free admission. . The John Deere complex, 1V¡ hóurs,bycarfromthetaves via Iowa Roùte61, then. Inter- state.74to Moline, III. Free ad- mission. inches). Also found in the riv- er's deepest waters are the spiny soft-shelled. turtle (22 inches) and the common snapper (20 inches). In the Bayou Swamp, a 32-inèh alligator snapping tut- tle shares the water with a full-grown gator., In size, the turtle's head. appro>;imates a human baby's. Nearby, at the Touch Table, visitorsc.anfinger the pelts of various mammals that dwell along the river, including foJ<, coyote, otter, opossum, musk- rat and wmte-tåiled deer. ' B,ut the MIssissippi River is niore than a home to wildlife; One of the' river's greatest gifts to'Mother Nature's,crea. tures everywhere was in. help- ing to ,pawn the National Wildlife Refuge System. In 1903, a place called.Peli' c¡¡n Island was a battleground pitting conservationists against an army of feather hunters. President Theodore Roosevelt parlayed this dark chapter in U.S. environmental history into an effective legis- lative tooLtomeetfutnre threats to wild An,,;rica; One of the current threats to the river's health is theze- bra. mussel. A chat with an at- tendant at the Wetlab reveals that'the irpper:Mississippi had approximately 40. fteshwater " EATERIES: Patrons enjoy s~Jè Contlnuedfiom.Pagel-l IF YOU GO ' ban professionais in ~outhern Italy and the southern United States,and found striking simi- larities. Southern professiona!~ who spent the most time trapped in offices preferred comfort foodJunches from mom-and- pop restaurants over salad bars or fast-food chains. The white-collar workers said the rustic food provided a sensory escape, BJlt most of these yuppies have a yogurt or fruit on Fri, day, Fiorellino found, for fear of looking pudgy in their swimsuits. and ,.shorts on the weekend. While Country Boy is unique in. its setting and stand-up-and-order style, as in most Southern cities, office workers can find more than orte source. for flour-coated; fried delights. ,Not far away. is the timeless Elite Restaurant, famous for mouth-watering rolls that re- semble. plate-bound clouds. . Nearby, the aroma of.catflSh pulls. hung,y politicos and lawyers into the Mayflower .- Cafe. But those restaurants also offer broiled scallops and en- chiladas. At Country Boy's, there is room - literally - for only one cuisine. . Co~ntry'80y: At lamar. and Capitol; (601) 594-t1243,Hours: 8:30 a;m.'5 p.m.,Monday-Fri- day; open 4ntil3:30 p.m.Sàt, urdays. C,QßJplete lunch plates for $5. . Elite RestáUrant: At 141 E. Capitol St.; (601) 352-560&. Hours:? ~.m.-9:30 p.m.,Mon- day-Friday; 5 p.m.'9:30 p.m., Sat~rd¡jy. Dinner entrees $6-16. . Mayflower Cafe:At123 W. Capitol St.; (601)355,4122. Hours:luni:hserved II a.m.- 2:30p.m., dinner 4:30 p.m.- 9:30 p.m. Dinneientrees $11-$20. gling, Steen decided quick comfort food meals might reel in crowds. Steen pitched his idea to real estate developer Leland Speed, nowe>;ecutive director of the Mis'issippi De- velopment Authority; Steen convinced Speed that Country Boy's shack would be a tourist magnet. And Speed convinced the Jackson Rede- velopment . Authority, wmch owned the corner. ,. ..,..".,.". "The Redevelopmen! 1\1J.' thority said Mr.. Steen could build whatever he liked on thàt corner as long as it -was attractive," said St~Y~,',Martin of the MDA. ..,:'!iJ:~;, In exchange for creating an attraction tourists love, Steen uses. the lot rent-free. Flandsome, wiry Nicholas Dickerson. is a guitarist in town with the touring compa- ny ofth.; musical "Cats." "We heard about this place at the 930 Blues Club when we were looking for real southern cooking;" Dickerson said as he paid for his jamba- laya plate and bag of straw- berries. "When you're on the road, a place like this is niuch more cool than room service." Just then Dickerson's cell phone rang. It was a musician buddy craving Country Boy's monster spicy pickles. But Country Boy isn't Steen's only enterprise. , "I invented an apple sundae machine that carves an apple into a flower," he said as he fanned his fmgers out like pet- als. mnssel species inthe days be-' Jore pollution and the zebra mussel combined to cut their number tol8. But the zebras, which in. vaded the river in . the late 1990s,seeni to.be on the de- cline, victims 'of a mystery IDilÎady thàt appears.to affect °t¥Y theEÎIfopean import...... 3Jîother example of the cycli- :eoflife. . .' Its A-to.Z. (alligator, iting oneoftheriv<ir's surviving species,(o zeb.ra mussel, a newèomer) history lessons,. the niuseum illustrates thàt the river ~is a living, evolving thing. Heracli- tus got it right whert;.as ,e. corded by Plato, he said: ";.. Yòu cannot step.into ~e sarile rivertwice." ' ;pe,haps more.. importántly. the .mJlseum bears withessto the wisdom of Tanaka Shozo, Japan's pioneer conserVation'; ist, who taught that "The care of rivers is not a question of rivers, but of, the humart ,heart." DOUG DOHNE: ddohne@patrlot- news,coO) or 257-4757 Disn~y~~gort . 8c\"inê com~ in all giå~: . \ , .",.. Whatever ¡I ' budget,:you1 saVIngs ¡ Resor I.,arsg @Disney'l I i ~xtra. 6~Sß