Saint Donatus Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A large adult timber rattler climbing up to the den opening. If you look closely you can see another adult timber rattlesnake just to the upper left above the head of the climbing snake in a crevice. I was about 20 feet away sitting on a rock observing the den so the climbing snake was not trying to escape or get away he was just heading back to his home. They have the ability to climb almost vertical surfaces.
A large adult timber rattler climbing up to the den opening. If you look closely you can see another adult timber rattlesnake just to the upper left above the head of the climbing snake in a crevice. I was about 20 feet away sitting on a rock observing the den so the climbing snake was not trying to escape or get away he was just heading back to his home. They have the ability to climb almost vertical surfaces.
What is Spring without a picture of a timber rattlesnake. Here is an adult at the den site getting ready to disperse for the Summer when they will be impossible to locate. They hang around the den for several weeks after exiting from hibernation until they stabilize their body temperature. The gravid females will stay right around the den all summer long while the males and non-gravid females will head into the woods up to 4 miles away to forage for rodents and other food sources. They return in late September to hang around the den before turning in for the Winter. They always use the same den their parents used and will die if they are relocated. This den is on a vertical cliff way up high which is the only reason they have survived in this location. I really worry about the future of these snakes.
One of the last few timber rattlesnake pictures I will post. As I was climbing up the wall of a quarry I came upon a large timber rattler that was not happy with my presence. This is one of the few times I have had a timber rattlesnake rattle and I did the prudent thing and backed away. I liked this shot which I took from below the snake because it shows both the head and tail with the forked tongue out. This might appear to be a staged picture but it is not.
A cryptic 1 year old timber rattler that was tucked into the bark on a large tree stump. I walked past this snake several times before finally spotting it. The snake is much smaller than it appears. It never once moved while I was present.

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Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark

Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark

3.5 out of 5
350 Bell St Dubuque IA
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is NZ$191 per night from 9 Mar to 10 Mar
NZ$191
9 Mar - 10 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Dubuque. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,026 reviews)
Room was clean. Our door did not automatically shut, but it wasn’t a big deal.

Reviewed on 23 Feb 2026

Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark
Hotel Julien Dubuque

Hotel Julien Dubuque

3.5 out of 5
200 Main Street Dubuque IA
The price is NZ$219 per night from 1 Mar to 2 Mar
NZ$219
1 Mar - 2 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this spa hotel in Dubuque. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,738 reviews)
Clean, quiet, comfortable. Spa, restaurant, and bar area very nice. We don't drink but enjoyed trivia night and good music. Will return again!

Reviewed on 25 Feb 2026

Hotel Julien Dubuque
Irish Cottage Inn & Suites

Irish Cottage Inn & Suites

3.5 out of 5
9853 US-20 Galena IL
Stay at this spa hotel in Galena. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the restaurant in their reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,286 reviews)
Staff was polite. Jacuzzi was broke and staff didn’t seem too concerned about it, and there was a few items left behind from the last guests

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2026

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Irish Cottage Inn & Suites
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Cozy 1 Bedroom, 2 Bath Townhome in the Galena Territory

Cozy 1 Bedroom, 2 Bath Townhome in the Galena Territory

Galena IL
Stay at this golf holiday home in Galena. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Eagle Ridge Resort Golf and Horseshoe ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (140 reviews)
We have stayed at several similar places in Eagle Ridge and this was the cleanest one we have ever seen. Wonderfully quiet, a perfect place to recharge the batteries and get away from it all.

Reviewed on 27 Jan 2026

Cozy 1 Bedroom, 2 Bath Townhome in the Galena Territory
Private 3BR/2BA Territory Home Nestled in the Trees

Private 3BR/2BA Territory Home Nestled in the Trees

Galena IL
Stay at this family-friendly holiday home in Galena. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and a garden. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
10/10 Exceptional! (140 reviews)
We had an absolutely wonderful stay here! We were in town for skiing and a trip into Galena, both easily accessible. The house was perfectly maintained, clean, and well stocked. Tucked back off of a quiet road, it was a perfect weekend getaway. Howard had great communication up to and during our ...

Reviewed on 26 Feb 2026

Private 3BR/2BA Territory Home Nestled in the Trees
Enjoy the SUN & Beautiful Lake Galena Views - Walk 2 Spa, restaurants & Golf!

Enjoy the SUN & Beautiful Lake Galena Views - Walk 2 Spa, restaurants & Golf!

Galena IL
Stay at this condo in Galena. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, private pools and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the comfy rooms and the property condition in their reviews. ...
10/10 Exceptional! (120 reviews)
Nice place to stay for our chestnut ski trip, and Galena was so much fun

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2026

Enjoy the SUN & Beautiful Lake Galena Views - Walk 2 Spa, restaurants & Golf!
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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