BMW Iowa Club 2013 Fall Color Tour

On October 19, a cool rainy day, with breakfast provided by BMW of Des Moines, the annual 2013 Fall Colors Tour began. Four cars transporting mostly excited souls (two couples from the North Star Chapter) departed the parking lot and headed toward Cedar Rapids to join three other couples whom we would meet at Zimmerman BMW for lunch. One-by-one an assortment of convertibles and hardtops left the Zimmerman parking lot with all roofs in the up position. The group headed toward Dubuque on the tremendous county roads of Northeast Iowa.

After a brief restroom and photo op in Luxemburg with our new found Harley friends, we finished the first day’s drive into Dubuque on twisty US highway 3. Taking the scenic route through town, we headed toward BMW of Dubuque for a welcome visit and goodie bag. Finally, heading off to the hotel or B and B of choice of each couple, we re-gathered at the Spirit of Dubuque for our 3 hour evening dinner cruise. We were joined there by two more couples who were not able to join us in Des Moines for the drive. It was a cool rainy evening to observe from the open upper deck, but many folks came out to enjoy the moments as we travelled through a lock and dam to the upper Mississippi River.

After a good night’s sleep in Dubuque, the remaining participants followed the lead of David and Becky Brighton and headed north from Dubuque. A brief stop was made at Balltown to view the beautiful sights. Further north, another comfort stop was made at Guttenberg. The group continued to view the sights from the “river road” until we parted company with our new friends from Minnesota at McGregor. Our new friends from the north enjoyed themselves so much they have vowed to organize a joint venture between both clubs for next year’s Fall Colors Tour.