Weekend at Varner’s Caboose

Last Friday my wife dropped Qila and Mira off at the vet’s for boarding, packed up the car, and she, Tally, Jenny, and I went to the Quad Cities for the weekend. The Quad Cities—Moline and Rock Island, Illinois, Davenport and Bettendorf, Iowa—are an easy three hour drive from Chicago so going there on Mother’s Day weekend for the annual two day agility competition is no great hardship. We left about 2:30 in the afternoon and arrived just after 5:30.

Finding accommodations when travelling with dogs is always an adventure so it’s best to plan ahead. For the last four years we’ve stayed with Bob and Nancy Varner, proprietors of Varner’s Caboose. Bob and Nancy live in what was once the railway station for the tiny town of Montepelier, Iowa, just a few miles downriver from Davenport which they’ve refurbished into a spacious and comfortable home.

The Caboose, is, well, a caboose—a retired Rock Island caboose. When the railroad liquidated their old stock of cabooses (cabeese?), Bob and Nancy bought one, had tracks laid behind their home, had the caboose placed on the tracks, and refurbished the caboose into a one-bedroom suite with bathroom, shower, and kitchenette which they rent out as a B&B in the spring, summer, and fall. The Caboose sleeps four—there are two beds in the cupola of the caboose so a family of four can stay there cozily.

When we pulled into Rock Island we went straight to the Quad Cities Expo where the dog show and agility competition were being held, unloaded our equipment, and headed for dinner. We decided to dine at the Blue Cat Brew Pub which I’d found online a year or so ago.

We were delighted at the food at the Blue Cat and the beer was pretty good, too. I’d describe the menu as American Pub Eclectic. The staff was friendly and personable and very interested in the dogs. Most trooped out at one point to visit with Tally and Jenny who were waiting for us in the Explorer. Here’s a matchbook cover from the Blue Cat.

After dinner we returned to the Caboose and turned in. Saturday morning we rose early, ate the lovely breakfast that Nancy had provided for us, and went back to the Expo Center for Tally’s Saturday runs.

The first run in the morning was Excellent A Jumpers with Weaves. Tally and Janice worked beautifully together and Tally qualified and came in second in her height class.

The second run in the afternoon was Open Standard. Whether because it had become warm in the Center by then, or because she was bored or tired or for whatever reason, Tally didn’t do quite as well. She didn’t qualify.

We returned to the Caboose, snacked on some cheese, bread, and apples I’d bought on the way back, watched Britcoms for a while on Iowa Public Television, and sacked out.

The next morning we rose early again, packed, ate the breakfast Nancy had provided—frittata, sausages, mixed fruit cobbler, juice, and home-baked sweet-rolls—and left for the Expo Center for the second day of competition.

Tally’s first run in the morning was Standard Open. Once again Tally wasn’t really in the mood. There’s a video of this run here(~5 MB). She didn’t qualify. Her second run in the afternoon was Excellent A Jumpers with Weaves. Once again she both qualified and came in second. This was Tally’s third leg in Excellent A Jumpers with Weaves so she’s now competing in Excellent B Jumpers with Weaves—that’s the highest level of competition. Some day she’ll get that Open Standard title.

We left the Quad Cities about 2:30pm and returned home arriving around 6:00pm after an uneventful drive.

I haven’t really conveyed how wonderful Bob and Nancy are. Bob’s a retired engineer; Nancy’s a retired college music teacher. They are fascinating and fun and quite companionable. Bob showed as his antique car collection. Nancy showed us her latest hobby—refurbishing old reed organs. They do stay busy.

If you’re within striking distance of the Quad Cities, I really recommend a visit. And stay at the Caboose!

UPDATE: My wife tells me that Tally didn’t qualify on her second Standard run because she’s “HI” (handler-impaired).