Iowa City, Iowa
Show Notes Iowa City, Iowa
In this episode: The FAQ is : I just don’t know how I can afford to see
the places that I want to go to on my budget. How can I save money while I
travel to new places? The destination is Iowa City, Iowa, the mistake is switching
credit cards in a restaurant: and the tip is Get a Globe.
FAQ: is from Linda who
asks, I love to travel, but during this time of uncertainty, I just don’t know
how I can afford to see the places that I want to go to on my budget. How can I
save money while I travel to new places?
Answer: Linda, the best way to save money on travel expenses is to share
a room with someone else. That does not always work well for independent
travelers so here are a few other tips to save your hard-earned cash.
- House swap
- Bring a meal with you
- Travel public
transportation
- Plan so you don’t need
to push for time limits
- Work on the road, such
as on a dude ranch, cruise ship, traveling nurse or tutor.
- Bring your work with
you, so you can work from wherever you are.
- Eat a huge lunch, so
you may be able to have a snack for dinner and that’s enough.
- Grocery shop instead
of eating out.
Today’s Episode Destination is
Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City is full of the best in Iowa, in the
eastern part of the state, about 4 hours’ drive from Chicago. No better place
to go that IC. Hawkeyes. Big 10 Football rules here on Saturdays in the fall,
and a college town feeling that make this a home for many in the Midwest. My
sister has lived here for decades, so I visit when I can, and hope to be there
this summer.
My favorite things about Iowa City are mostly
related to the university. The concerts and music are second to none. The
people are genuine, and they are hard working in many ways. They suffer through
a tough winter and come out in spring refreshed.
Here are some suggestions of things to do.
Devonian Fossil Gorge was quite a great place
to explore with my family for a few hours. I would recommend a visit here to see
geological wonders. I found a seashell embedded in a rock. This gorge was
formed by two floods, in 1993 and 2005. It was a campground, now a fossil bed
where you can see remnants of sea animals from 375 million years ago. Cross the
Coralville Dam and stop at the Visitor Center. You need hiking boots or
athletic shoes. You’ll like what you see buried in nature for so long, now seen
thanks to massive floods in the area.
Do the Iowa Avenue Literary Walk and visit the
famous Prairie Lights bookstore. Prairie Lights Books and Café, located at 15
South Dubuque Street, Iowa City. One of the best bookstores anywhere. Worth a
few hours. Three and a half floors big.
Like owls? You will love the Iowa Raptor Project,
seen near Iowa City, where birds are protected, and the public is invited.
Terry Trueblood Recreation Area is for bird watching
and just being outside in fresh air. Go for it when you’re in IC.
Here’s a few other places to visit in Iowa City. The
Old Capitol Building, the state's first capitol, now houses a museum of local
history. The adjacent University of Iowa Museum of Natural History features
prehistoric stone tools and taxidermy. By the Iowa River, City Park has ponds
and sports facilities. East, the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum
displays objects and photos tracing the life of the 31st U.S. president
Today’s Mistake-Switching credit cards in a restaurant
I was in a restaurant in Hawaii with a large family group. We had the buffet,
and the same bill, so we handed in our credit cards and the waitress split the
check. After adding a tip and signing, we left. That night, my credit card
would not work when I wanted to buy gas, but I didn’t think much of that. We
went sightseeing, to the zoo, and more. That night, while paying for dinner, I
noticed that my credit card was my brother in laws, who had the same last name.
That took a while to settle, mail the cards back and pay the difference in what
I had spent. The lesson is to check your credit card to make sure you got yours
back from the server! Don’t make my mistake.
Today’s Travel Advice- Get a Globe
If you don’t have a globe, find one. It’s one of those things you will
tend to spend time looking at more than you think. If you love travel, your
globe looking will satisfy your curiosity. I used to have a globe jacket, so
you can find them in many ways and materials.
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