Many thanks to the folks in the Iowa & Illnois forums that provided advice and ideas for a great trip.

Six of us met in St Louis and drove to Chicago via QC and Galena. Our first stop was Isle of Capri in Bettendorf, great stay, one winner, made all the stops on the channel cat but no time to explore (darn); lunch in Maquoketa at City Limits Restaurant, very good food & told us to stop at Bellevue...we did, and enjoyed our brief visit to this scenic town; quick run through Mississippi Palisades SP best overlook was "Lookout Point" hope to return for some hiking; stayed at Irish Cottage Inn Galena, wonderful place & enjoyed Galena shops; went to Field of Dreams in Dyersville, loved it! Only 1 hour from Galena but seems like middle of nowhere, lunch at nearby locals favorite Country Junction, great pie; took the "happy hour" cruise on the American Lady in Dubuque, nice boat, only $13/person for 1 1/2 hr cruise including free tap beer, soft drinks and appetizers; on the way back to STL we stopped at the Lincoln Museum and Tomb in Springfield; dinner at Diamond Mineral Springs Grantfork Il, best biscuits I've ever eaten, everyone loved the food.

That's it in a nutshell, will post seperate reviews soon. I'll have to come back when corn is ready, we were a bit to early. Many of the spots we enjoyed were those recommended on the forums and by locals we met along the way. What a beautiful and friendly area, hope many others have the opportunity to enjoy it too.

Happy trails.