We don’t do foreign travel anymore.
On rare road trips, we have done the following, and I highly recommend these places (especially for the budget conscious)
Spam Museum in Minnesota.
*Field of Dreams Movie Site (Dyersville, Iowa). the property has been sold, so this one I can’t vouch for anymore, but the kids had a blast watching the Ghost Players. And my son got to have a catch with his dad :-)
A Christmas Story House in Cleveland. Don’t shoot your eye out!
The Amana Colonies (Amana, Iowa). Great for biking, eating, handmade gifts and eagle-watching - go in the spring and avoid weekends.
LeClaire, Iowa. It’s right on the Mississippi. Buffalo Bill Museum and the original store of Antique Archeology (American Pickers). Had a tasty steak Sneaky Pete’s restaurant - but if you’re a guy, don’t wear a tie. A staffer will cut it off and hang it from their ceiling.
Midwest League Minor League Ballparks. We’ve seen them all. Friendliest staff & service was at Peoria Chiefs (do a day game - Peoria at night is sketchy). Best food, activities for the kids and other things to do in town, Quad Cities River Bandits top the list. Most fun with an opposing fanbase - Beloit Snappers. Still in touch with folks we met at Snappers games. Want to feel like you’re at an old-time ballgame? Clinton Lumberkings is your ticket. Was one of my favorite ballparks, until they stopped selling their mini-deep fried donuts. Worst ballpark,fanbase & experience - Burlington Bees. Of all the places we’ve been, I can find something nice to say about them all, except Burlington.
Safe travels to all FReepers!
Nice I umpired in the Midwest League in 1969. Had previously been the three I league, Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa. They added Wisconsin (Appleton and Wisconsin Rapids) and the eyes alone didn’t apply anymore. Had a good time. Nice people.
In Waterloo, we used to eat free breakfast. The woman who owned the restaurant hugs us and introduced us to everyone as her friends the umpires. However at the games she would yell at us all, night long.
The league president Jim Doster took us out for prime rib one night in Cedar Rapids, best beef ever.
In Quincy IN Abe Lincoln came to our rickety dressing room an small wood shack under the bleachers. He gave us each a penny and told us to be honest.