Saturday, August 04, 2007

Two Places I Didn't Go On RAGBRAI

1.) Dan Gable's International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa - because attractions like "Abe Lincoln, the Wrestler", "Civil War Era Wrestling", and "Jacob wrestling the angel" just don't appeal to me. Although his wiki page certainly is interesting, with details about his sister being murdered in the family home (in Waterloo), Tom Cruise idolizing him, John Irving writing about him, and his on-and-off candidacy for Republican office in Iowa. If you're in Iowa this weekend, don't miss, the "Live reenactment of the legendary wrestling match between Abe Lincoln and Jack Armstrong in New Salem, Illinois. The event will start at 9:30 a.m. both days and have live matches throughout the day until 4 p.m."

2.) Dubuque's Old Jail Museum - because this just doesn't seem like entertaining history to me...
"The Hanging of Patrick O'Connor Light and Sound Show - this entertaining story captivates audiences with the use of actual artifacts, historically accurate timelines and an appearance by the ghost of Patrick O'Connor. O'Connor was condemned and hanged for muder in 1834 just 20 yards from the jail." Remember, "Don't skip the dungeon in the basement."

Sound and light show? For a hanging? I hope that's more tasteful in person than it is in print. I wonder if you can get one of those historical stamp cards like you can in Minnesota - where you tour half a dozen Minnesota historical sites and they stamp your card so you can get a prize pack. Maybe you could tour the hanging of Patrick O'Connor light and sound show, the electrocution of Willie Francis tesla extravaganza, and the lethal injection of Angel Nieves Diaz laser phantasm.

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