Leclaire Iowa / Mississippi River: My wife and I are going to Laclaire Iowa in a couple of weeks which in on the Mississippi River and are planning on going to the American Pickers...

Dbrogers Loc: Shenandoah, Iowa

My wife and I are going to Laclaire Iowa in a couple of weeks which in on the Mississippi River and are planning on going to the American Pickers store that is on TV.
I am not familiar with the area, so was wondering if anyone can recommend any sites or other photo ops in the area?
Thanks,

PixelStan77 Loc: Vermont/Chicago

Dbrogers wrote:

My wife and I are going to Laclaire Iowa in a couple of weeks which in on the Mississippi River and are planning on going to the American Pickers store that is on TV.
I am not familiar with the area, so was wondering if anyone can recommend any sites or other photo ops in the area?
Thanks,

I go every year in January to lock and dam 14 to photograph eagles fishing at the dam on the Mississippi.

My favorite restaurant in LaClaire is Sneaky Pete's Cowboy Steaks.

SS319

http://www.visitleclaire.com/

Plieku69 Loc: The Gopher State, south end

Can't think of the name at this early moment. There is a riverboat that takes scenic day trips and overnighters north on the river. Really worth the trip and the cost is more than fair.
Ken

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Dbrogers wrote:

My wife and I are going to Laclaire Iowa in a couple of weeks which in on the Mississippi River and are planning on going to the American Pickers store that is on TV.
I am not familiar with the area, so was wondering if anyone can recommend any sites or other photo ops in the area?
Thanks,

It should be interesting browsing around their store, but I doubt they will be there. They seem to spend all their time traveling. They were a few miles from me a couple of years ago.

Hornet Driver Loc: So. California

Check out Eagle Point Park a few miles north near Clinton.

Dbrogers Loc: Shenandoah, Iowa

Sounds good ill have to ry it.
Thanks

Dbrogers Loc: Shenandoah, Iowa

PixelStan77 wrote:

I go every year in January to lock and dam 14 to photograph eagles fishing at the dam on the Mississippi.

My favorite restaurant in LaClaire is Sneaky Pete's Cowboy Steaks.

I'll look it up when I get there.
Thanks

Laura72568 Loc: Anderson TX

The Faithful Pilot is another good restaurant. There's also many good views of the river to photograph from up on the bluffs in that area.

mikenolan Loc: Lincoln Nebraska

About 45 miles upstream and across the river is Palisades State Park in Savanna IL. Great overlooks of the upper Mississippi, especially at sundown.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

Not too far south, near Muscatine is Wildcat Den state park. Google it. Ive been meaning to make it there but havent yet.

Walt

RickM1950 Loc: Davenport, IA

Tons of stuff to do and see in and near Leclare. Love the AA store. Better bring an extra flash card or two.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

I've been to both the Nashville and Iowa Antique Archeology stores and the Nashville store was by far the better one but I was at the Le Claire store before the addition so it may be better now.

Walt

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

Depending on how much time you have, a 3 hour drive north of Le Claire brings you to Decorah Iowa. There is much to photograph around there, and on the way you'll pass by McGregor. Near McGregor and Marquette is Pike's Peak state park where if you are able to hike the trails there are fantastic views of the Mississippi River and you can see 3 states (WI, IL, Ia). The best time for this is fall when the leaves are turning but at the right time of day it should be good for photography at any time of year. Near Marquette is Effigy Mounds national park. It's been many years since I've been to any of these but I've seen plenty of photos of the area. You can google any of these to see what they have to offer.

Walt

mikenolan Loc: Lincoln Nebraska

Iowa is full of interesting and photogenic gardens.

See http://www.theiowagardener.com/Iowa%20Gardens%20to%20Visit.html

One of the more interesting ones is the private FranMara garden in Oelwein. There are hundreds of species of conifers in a surprisingly small space there, most of them miniatures.

Tours are available by appointment only. We spent two hours there, and could have spent several times that. I want to go back and take my new camera and lenses.