Mormon Monuments
  In the 1850s, this was the western terminus of the Mississippi and Missouri Railway and, thus, the jumping off place for the early pioneers on their way the the far West. Several parties of Mormons congregated here while they organized their handcart companies on the trek, by foot, to Great Salt Lake via the Oregon and Mormon Trails. There is a small park and monument here, dedicated to these courageous people.
  From I-80 eastbound, take exit 240 and head south on Hwy 965 (Coral Ridge Ave) to US-6. Turn left on US-6 and follow US-6 eastbound to 1st Ave (about 2.6 miles). Turn right and head south on 1st Avenue. Where it crosses the tracks the avenue has been renamed Mormon Trek Blvd. Continue south on Mormon Trek Blvd about 0.7 miles to Melrose Ave. Turn left and next to the large concrete sports arena is the memorial park.
  From I-80 westbound, take exit 242 and head south on 1st Avenue to US-6 (about 1.0 miles from the exit ramp on the south side of the Interstate).  Cross US-6 and continue south on 1st Avenue. Where it crosses the tracks the avenue has been renamed Mormon Trek Blvd. Continue south on Mormon Trek Blvd about 0.7 miles to Melrose Ave. Turn left and next to the large concrete sports arena is the Mormon Memorial Park.
  No office or phone number for the Mormon Memorial Park but you can get information from the Visitors' Bureau which you pass by (on your right) as you are driving south from exit 242. Phone 1-319-337-6592.

Finkbine Prairie
  Here is a convenient sampling of much of what was found here in the Great Plains. Five moderately diverse plots of prairie remnants are located in the area bounded by US-6, the Iowa Interstate Railroad, Mormon Trek Blvd (1st Ave) and Hawkins Drive. If you are going (or have gone) to visit the Mormon Monuments you drive right by the west end on Mormon Trek Blvd. This area is maintained by the Sierra Club and they have provided us with an excellent description with directions on how best to enjoy the area. You can view their web site at Finkbine. If you did not intend to visit the Mormon Monuments, follow the directions given for that attraction and, when you cross US-6, turn left into the Finkbine parking lot.

(continued in column 2)

(continued from column 1)

Reyerson's Woods
  One of the best sites in the Iowa City area to view Spring's beautiful prairie floral display is at Reyerson's Woods south of Iowa City. These 49 acres of woods, meadows and abrupt bluff have been improved with an excellent system of trails, mostly easy loops, plus a staircase to access the top of the bluff where a special, cantilevered viewing platform enables spectacular sights. Best time to visit is when the leaves are first beginning to appear on the trees in the area - usually mid to late April.
  Eastbound traffic on I-80 use exit 242 and take 1st Ave south to US-6 and turn left on US-6. Follow US-6 to the Iowa City Municipal Airport at the intersection of US-6 with IA-1 and IA-921. US-6 turns left here to cross the Iowa River but you go straight through on IA-921 driving by the airport. About 2 miles from US-6, Riverside Road (Old Hwy 218) splits off at a slight angle to the right. A parking area is just opposite this intersection at the base of the hill. (There is also a picnic shelter here.)
  Westbound traffic on I-80 use exit 246 and follow IA-1 (Dodge Street) south into Iowa City. At Burlington Street IA-1 makes a left to follow Burlington Street across the Iowa River. Just over the bridge IA-1 meets US-6. Turn left and follow US-6 south to the Iowa City Municipal Airport at the intersection of US-6 with IA-1 and IA-921. US-6 turns left here to cross the Iowa River but you go straight through on IA-921 driving by the airport. About 2 miles from US-6, Riverside Road (Old Hwy 218) splits off at a slight angle to the right. A parking area is just opposite this intersection at the base of the hill. (There is also a picnic shelter here.)
  Reyerson's Woods is maintained by the Iowa City Parks and Recreation Department. Much of the work on the trails, etc., was done by Iowa City's Mayor's Youth Employment Program. The Sierra Club has provided us with an excellent description of what we can see here along with directions on how best to enjoy the area. You can view their web site at Reyerson.
  The Parks and Recreation people can be reached at 1-319-356-5110.