ALONG COMES MARY

And just like that. I’ve reached my final day in the Quad Cities. It’s been a jam-packed week and I’m feeling pretty proud of myself. I still have some energy left in me and am excited about today’s adventures.

Full disclosure: I am actually writing this story from home. I began with a rush of writing “juice” in me and it’s slowly declined as home life kicks back in. Raise your hand if you can relate.

Any who, onto my fabulous last day in the Quad Cities…..

Freight House Farmers Market

I fell asleep on such a “high” from our dinner with Chef Keys. It was a fantastic farewell to a whirlwind week. This morning, we began at the Freight House Farmers Market in Davenport. I’m a sucker for street markets and this was an ample-sized one. The vendors (over 200) ranged from fresh fruits and vegetables to food trucks and gift stands. It takes place year-round on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. It moves outdoors on Saturdays in May for the summer.

Twilight Riverboat Cruise

Next up we headed back to LeClaire for the Riverboat Twilight Cruise. I love being on the water and the Riverboat is a beautiful excursion. Our 90-minute tour took us up the Mississippi River as we passed by river towns in Iowa. Since my “river cruises” are usually aboard the Mark Twain at Disneyland, this was a treat!

Although the 90-minute excursions have wrapped until next year, the Riverboat offers one and two-night cruises. Should I find myself back in town with more time, I would love to do this with Mabel.

The Crane and Pelican

After our relaxing cruise with gorgeous views of the Mississippi River, it was lunchtime. Just up the street from where we docked is the Crane and Pelican. I was excited to dine here not just for their gluten-free plates but because they were named the Most Adorable Restaurant in Iowa by LoveFood.

The Crane and Pelican is something pretty special. The restaurant resides in the Dawley House, built in 1851. The family were early settlers to LeClaire and even raised nine kids in this home. Daniel Dawley was a river boat captain and later the postmaster for LeClaire. His wife, Sabina, even hosted events at the house to make bandages for the union soldiers in the civil war.

The residence has been preserved as the home it was. It’s easy to see why the Crane and Pelican earned its adorable honor. The ambiance and staff were top-notch as was the food. Chef Jeana Allen has curated a dynamic menu with classy takes on classic comfort foods. Since she takes pride in preparing allergen-friendly plates, diners can rest assured that they are in good hands.

A Fond Farewell

Now, the bittersweet moments. Following our luncheon, we began to embark and begin our goodbyes. The year leading up to the pandemic found me traveling more than ever. I had a story trip planned for every month in 2020 before the “hiccup” and my pregnancy. What had become second nature to me (hopping on planes, keeping up with itineraries, working on stories) was feeling very distant.

I’m so thankful for this opportunity to get “out there” again and show myself that I can still keep up despite my anxiety often telling me otherwise. It’s also been a long while since I’ve had so much foreign and new foods, even alcohol. It was all fantastic and just what I needed. If anyone out there is feeling like they need something new, consider a visit to the Quad Cities. Look for more stories soon both on Along Comes Mary and other outlets. xo