CCC Cruises & Dining
TRIP TO IOWA FALLS AND BOAT RIDE ALONG THE IOWA RIVER
Come along with us for a scenic car trip to Iowa Falls and take a ride aboard the Scenic City Empress, Sunday July 20th.
Leaving from Lowes in Coralville at 8:45 am, the planned route is mostly two-lane roads: Highway 6 to Marengo, highways 212 and 21 through Belle Plaine to US 30 to Tama/Toledo. After a short pit stop there, we will take US 63 to Highway 96, past Gladbrook to highway 14, highway 14 to 175, 175 through Eldora to US 65, then US 65 to Iowa Falls. We’ll have lunch in Iowa Falls then drive to the boat landing.
Scenic City Empress Riverboat Club is at 1113 Union Street about 7 blocks west of US 65. We are to board at 1:30 for the 90-minute trip up the Iowa River. It is $10 per adult and you will pay when boarding. Their Website is http://www.empressboatclub.org/ The boat has a capacity of 50 but I could reserve just 15 seats. The first 13 people who contact me will get the reserved slots. Anyone else should be in line before boarding starts. You can email me at bkcannon1108@gmail.com or text me at 319-325-2078. I’ll need name/s and contact phone #.
If the boat ride is cancelled, we’ll still drive the route, have lunch in Iowa Falls, then take a scenic drive around the area and come home.
CCC ROAD TRIP TO ELDON, IOWA, SATURDAY MAY 3RD
Despite cloudy skies and temperatures in the 50s, about 18 people in 9 cars set out from the Iowa City Menards for a leisurely road trip to Eldon, Iowa, along mostly two-lane highways.
The trip took us about an hour and a half, which got us to Eldon in time for lunch at Chommy’s Bar & Grill. It has good food with a variety of salads, burgers, and chicken sandwiches, etc. After lunch we visited the railroad museum located right next door. The museum was started by former employees of the railroad and has a wide collection of memorabilia relating to the operation of the rail system. One Interesting item was a device for passing orders from the train to the ground crews along the train route. It looked like a long-handled wishbone with a string across the two ends. In this string was a folded paper with the crew’s orders. The person by the tracks would grab the string as the train whizzed, by breaking the string and releasing the orders. Sounds like a tricky way to get orders.
The museum grounds also have a full-sized train engine, flat car, and caboose which we were welcomed to climb aboard. The museum guide said we could blow the whistle if we wished, which one of us did.
From the museum the group drove the short distance to the Gothic House Museum Center. The house is famous as the backdrop for Grant Wood’s painting American Gothic, one of the most famous paintings of the 20th century. The house was not open that day, but we could peak in the windows.
The Gothic Center needed some Spring cleanup in the flower beds and garden areas, but we were early bird visitors for the season. The museum area of the Center was full of interesting stories and displays of Grant Wood’s early years and the responsibilities the formed his teen years and adult life. The Center also has costumes to rent for “authentic” selfies in front of the house..
It was a wonderful trip. Thanks to Lee and Lin Thompson for organizing the trip and helping with this article
Classy Chassy Cruisers celebrated their 25 year anniversary with a Season Kick Off Party at the Hills Bank, Hwy 965 and Forever Green Rd, North Liberty Saturday, March 29th.
Members checked in with Gloria Drapac and she gave them a ticket if they brought a model car. The ticket was drawn after the meal. HyVee catered the meal. Mark Heacock showed some videos from 2006 and 2009 of CCC cruise ins.
Thank you to Barb Cannon, who coordinated the event and meal. Gloria Drapac made her party mix. After the meal, a ticket was drawn for a $25 Visa Card and Mel Cannon was the lucky winner. Members enjoyed meeting other members and visiting.
2024 PICNIC FOR CLASSY CHASSY CRUISERS
Classy Chassy Cruisers held a picnic at Plate's front yard for members September 8, 2024. There were 13 that came. They were asked to bring a dish to share and dessert. The Plates had sloppy joes, plates and utensils. Those who came enjoyed the food and visiting. Here are a few pictures shared.
Classy Chassy Cruisers members cruised and dined at SunDown Bar & Grill, Williamsburg May 17 th for BBQ ribs, brisket, & Broasted Chicken & Food Specials. Food was Great!
“CRUISING SEASON KICKOFF”
"The Cruising Season Kickoff" Dinner May 6th at Miller's Homestead Cooking, Warren and Ila Miller's Farm Community Building, 5708 Sharon Center Rd, SW, Kalona was a big hit with 28 members attending. The food was great - Amish cooking served family style.
