Book: Explore Galena and Dubuque on foot

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GALENA–David Ryan’s connection to Galena runs deep. Both of his second great-grandfathers, James Matthew Ryan and Thomas J. Sheean, were prominent Galena residents during the 19th century. James Ryan ran a meat-packing business and built what is known as the Ryan Mansion on U.S. 20. Sheean bought the home of Elihu B. Washburne in 1882 and it remained in the family until it was given to the state in the 1960s.

“I definitely have a Galena connection,” said Ryan, who visited Galena as a child growing up in Chicago and heard stories about his family’s ties to the community his entire life.

It was the family connection and the beauty of the area that brought Ryan from his home in New Mexico to walk the streets and steps of Galena and Dubuque, Iowa, for his recently released book, “Exploring Galena and Dubuque on Foot.”

The 144-page book features five maps and over 100 photographs. Ryan thoroughly enjoyed the research that went into writing the book.

He’s happy to showcase a part of the country that some only know for Chicago and perhaps the drive on Interstate 80.

There’s so much more, Ryan said, and this book highlights the architecture and general beauty as well as Galena’s connection to U.S. Grant.

“That’s just one of the most incredible stories this country has,” said Ryan of Grant’s time in Galena, as Civil War general and eventually president.

This isn’t Ryan’s first book.

After a career in data processing, Ryan wrote, “Long Distance Hiking on the Appalachian Trail for Older Adventurers.” His goal in writing the book was to show that getting outdoors is for everyone.

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“It’s how well you connect with the surroundings and all the things you start to notice,” he said.

Ryan also wrote a book, “The Bisbee Stairs: Exploring the Stairways, Trails, and Hidden Corners of Bisbee, Arizona.”

Several years ago, he wrote “The Gentle Art of Wandering,” which focuses on being mindful when out and about and letting what you see guide you.

While preparing to write that book, Ryan and his dog, Petey, spent a couple days in Los Angeles, Calif., exploring the hilly parts of the city and the stairways there.

After that book, he started a website, gentleartofwandering.com.

In 2013, during a trip with Petey to the Upper Mississippi Valley, he visited Galena and Dubuque and wrote blog posts on each community. Those posts, from 2013, have remained some of the most popular on his website and are regularly shared on social media platforms.

From the popularity of the posts, Ryan decided there must be some interest in the Midwest, particularly Galena and Dubuque. Last fall, on three occasions, Ryan and Petey spent time exploring Galena and Dubuque on foot. They walked everywhere, using the stairs to find places that vehicles can’t go. He put his findings together to share with others in his book.

“I think it’s a really interesting area,” he said.

The book is available at The Galena Gazette, 716 S. Bench St., or online at gentleartofwandering.com.