Bluffs, Brooks & Byways

Bubba Sorenson from the Iowa Freedom Rock Project tells us all about how he got started, what he uses to paint and what's next on his agenda. An incredible story, inpired by Saving Private Ryan that started as one mural on a rock that has turned into widely known tribute!  The Freedom Rock Facebook The Freedom Rock Driftless Area Scenic Byway River Bluffs Scenic Byway Delaware Crossing Scenic Byway Grant Wood Scenic Byway Northeast Iowa RC&D RC&D Facebook RC&D Twitter

There's so much more than lights to this holiday light display in New Hampton, Iowa. What started out as one single bench in a park, has grown exponentially in the last five years. Listen in to this episode to hear about how the tragic loss for this family has helped unite the community in so many ways.  Little Light of Mine

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Historic Hills Scenic Byway traverses 110 miles of rolling hills, state parks, forest land and rural communities in southeastern Iowa. Take a trip and experience history, culture and so much more in the Southeast corner of the state. Historic Hills Scenic Byway - Facebook Historic Hills Scenic Byway - Instagram Pathfinders RC&D Northeast Iowa RC&D - Facebook Northeast Iowa RC&D 

MAQUOKETA is probably the only town in the world that is known by this name. The name was derived from the river, known by the Indians as maquaweutaw, and means in the Indian language “Bear River”. The name was later to became half-Americanized. Learn about food, drinks, activities, shopping and more with the Maquoketa Chamber Director, Kristie Carr on this episode!  Maquoketa Chamber Maquoketa Facebook Page Grant Wood Scenic Byway Facebook Page RC&D Website RC&D Facebook RC&D Twitter

Where will the year of the road trip take you? Learn more about what Travel Iowa does, how you can utilize their services and some of the best kept secrets Iowa has to offer on this episode with Jessica O'Riley!  Travel Iowa Travel Iowa Facebook Travel Iowa Instagram Travel Iowa Fall/Winter Guide

The perfect spot to bring your kiddos to explore in a safe enviroment and LEARN. On this episode, we hear from Alicia from the Driftless Wetland Centre in Marquette.  Driftless Area Wetlands Centre Driftless Area Wetlands Centre Facebook Driftless Area Wetlands Centre Instagram  River Bluffs Scenic Byway Northeast Iowa RC&D RC&D Facebook RC&D Twitter

The Ski Bellevue Water Ski Show Team is volunteer, non-profit organization that performs free water ski shows for the community of Bellevue...and across Iowa by special request! They are only ONE of four water ski show teams in Iowa, and the only one to perform on the Mississippi River! On this episode, we hear from Dave Valant, the teams vice president and show emcee.  Ski Bellevue YouTube Ski Bellevue Facebook Grant Wood Scenic Byway Facebook Page RC&D Website RC&D Facebook RC&D Twitter

A charter bus is set to take a trip along the scenic byway. On the tour, we will stop at 1 overlook for a view of the scenic fall leaves, 1 historic location for a little bit of education and all of this plus a small culinary crawl. What's not to love? Be sure to RSVP Below.  GRANT WOOD: CLICK HERE TO RSVP! RIVER BLUFFS: CLICK HERE TO RSVP! DELAWARE CROSSING: CLICK HERE TO RSVP! DRIFTLESS AREA: CLICK HERE TO RSVP! Driftless Area Scenic Byway River Bluffs Scenic Byway Delaware Crossing Scenic Byway Grant Wood Scenic Byway Northeast Iowa RC&D RC&D Facebook RC&D Twitter

Anamosa State Penitentiary Museum is a historic stone building on the prison grounds displays artifacts and historical information and current information about one of Iowa's largest correctional facilities. On this episode, we hear from Steve Wendl, former correctional counselor for the institution. He provides historic information, current guidelines and, his favorite, the human interest stories through the years!  Anamosa State Penitentiary History Anamosa State Penitentiary Museum Anamosa State Penitentiary Facebook Grant Wood Scenic Byway Facebook Page RC&D Website RC&D Facebook RC&D Twitter

Fly Fishing, Running and Beer...nothing says Northeast Iowa quite like that! The Drfitless Flyathlon is held annually in Yellow River State Forest, near Harpers Ferry, IA and the course consists of a 4.4 mile (mostly flat) trail run, with opportunities to catch rainbow trout, brown trout, and the Iowa native brook trout. So, whether you’re big into running or not, this course was made for you. On this episode, we hear from Race Coordinator, Ryan Rahmiller. He tells us all of the details of the event, how it got started, how the fundraising happens and used...and so much more!  Driftless Flyathlon Instagram Driftless Flyathlon Facebook Driftless Flyathlon Support a Fly-athlete Here! Driftless Area Scenic Byway Northeast Iowa RC&D RC&D Facebook RC&D Twitter

The Immaculate Conception Parish, known as Wexford Church is located right along the Great River Road – long the Driftless Area Scenic Byway and the Great River Road National Scenic Byway – in between Harpers Ferry and Lansing. While the history itself is incredible, what’s even more amazing is how great of shape it is in and how well-utilized it still is today. When you're traveling the byway, be sure to stop in, but until then listen in to hear the history of how this incredible historic location came to Allamakee County.  Immaculate Conception Wexford Church Holy Family of the Bluffs Immaculate Conception Wexford Church Facebook Holy Family of the Bluffs Facebook Driftless Area Scenic Byway Northeast Iowa RC&D RC&D Facebook RC&D Twitter Iowa Scenic Byway Passport Program Travel Iowa

The RC&D makes it possible to work with landowners, conservation departments and residents in ways that benefit them On today's episode we hear from Ross Evelsizer, the Natural Resource Projects Director for the RC&D, about flooding watershed plans and overall river preservation. The RC&D has taken on the Turkey River, Upper Iowa River, the Upper Wapsi River Watershed Resiliency Plans, and more recently, the Quasky Flood Resiliency Plan. Listen in to learn more and how you can help your region.  Northeast Iowa RC&D RC&D Facebook RC&D Twitter Multi-Cropping Iowa Facebook Multi-Cropping Iowa Twitter Driftless Area Scenic Byway River Bluffs Scenic Byway Delaware Crossing Scenic Byway Grant Wood Scenic Byway

Nothing says sweet summer time like sipping on a glass of wine overlooking the countryside and at Winneshiek Wildberry Winery, that's exactly what you're doing. Right along the Driftless Area Scenic Byway, this location has been in the family for over 150 years. Checkout today's episode with Beth Guzman, daughter of owners, Ken and Yvonne Barnes to hear how the winery got started, a few of their favorite events and so much more!  Winneshiek Wildberry Winery Facebook Winneshiek Wildberry Winery Instagram Winneshiek Wildberry Winery Webpage Driftless Area Scenic Byway Northeast Iowa RC&D RC&D Facebook RC&D Twitter Iowa Scenic Byway Passport Program Travel Iowa

Bluegrass music is a classic genre became widely known in 1945 (actually was born even earlier than that). Over the years, it’s grown and transitioned to it’s current popularity. Bluegrass bands are still influenced by jazz, contemporary, country, celtic, rock & roll and even gospel. This year the Backbone Bluegrass Festival will be celebrating it's 40th Anniversary. This small-town even has been a summer tradition for many families and they couldn't be more excited for the line up. Check out this episode to hear a snippet of some bluegrass jamming and everything the festival has to offer.  RSVP to this Event on Facebook! Backbone Bluegrass Festival Facebook BackboneBluegrass.com Strawberry Jam Camp Facebook StrawberryJamCamp.com Delaware Crossing Scenic Byway River Bluffs Scenic Byway Northeast Iowa RC&D RC&D Facebook RC&D Twitter

From the registered Holsteins that make the milk for their one-of-a-kind mild cheddar to the hens that lay the farm fresh eggs, you can't get much "moore" local than Moore Family Farms! On this episode, learn all of the ins and outs of owning a family farm, a value-added store front, expanding to new locations and managing four children with Heather Moore.  Moore Local Facebook Moore Family Farms Instagram Grant Wood Scenic Byway Facebook Page RC&D Website RC&D Facebook RC&D Twitter

We're celebrating June Dairy Month the best way we know how! WW Homestead Dairy, located in Waukon, Iowa, jumped into the food market in 2011. The owners, Tom Weighner being one of them, had a combined experience of over 90 years in the industry and were ready to start their business! Check out this episode for how they got started and all about how they're leading the industry with the best, freshest products in the region.  WW Homestead Dairy WW Homestead Dairy Facebook WW Homestead Dairy Instagram Driftless Area Scenic Byway Northeast Iowa RC&D RC&D Facebook RC&D Twitter Iowa Scenic Byway Passport Program Travel Iowa

While I know there’s so many trails to hike, outlooks to see and stores to shop, right here has to be top of the list for activities in Allamakee County… Empty Nest Winery! Listen in with Morgan & Austin as they discuss how "Empty Nest" got it's name and all their fun wine names. Did you know that the winery makes more than just wine? Yep! Hear about their ever-changing flavors of ciders on tap, too!  Empty Nest Winery Facebook Empty Nest Winery Instagram Empty Nest Winery Webpage Driftless Area Scenic Byway Northeast Iowa RC&D RC&D Facebook RC&D Twitter Iowa Scenic Byway Passport Program Travel Iowa

Did you know that the Delaware Crossing Scenic Byway is unique because unlike other byways, the corridor for Delaware Crossing is the entire COUNTY! There’s so many things to do, see, work and visit and on this episode of Bluffs, Brooks & Byways, we get the inside exclusive from Donna Boss, Executive Director for the Delaware County Economic Development Office. Delaware Crossing Scenic Byway Northeast Iowa RC&D RC&D Facebook RC&D Twitter Iowa Scenic Byway Passport Program Travel Iowa

Zanzibar, Munchie Madness & Kitty Kitty Bang Bang...with names like those, how could you pass up this ice cream? That's not all, on this episode we hear from Brittany and Nathan Todd, owners of the Sugar Bowl, about their business adventures, the importance of community and a few secrets of what's to come! What an inspiring couple of YOUNG entrepreneurs - be sure to listen, share and comment on the episodes to let us know you're enjoying them. Sugar Bowl Photography by Brittany Sugar Bowl Facebook Sugar Bowl Instagram Photography by Brittany Facebook Photography by Brittany Instagram Driftless Area Scenic Byway River Bluffs Scenic Byway Northeast Iowa RC&D RC&D Facebook RC&D Twitter Iowa Scenic Byway Passport Program Travel Iowa