Touring Central Iowa

The Hi Vee, Altoona, Iowa

The Freedom Rock, Greenfield, Iowa

Hickory Park Restaurant, Ames, Iowa

Reiman Gardens, Ames, Iowa

The Freedom Rock, Bondurant, Iowa

Our final day of touring in Iowa was on August 16, 2013.  We enjoyed the best of Central Iowa with our USS Ranger Friends.  The Pittsburg People had to return home and we were looking forward to visiting our Son and His Family in Saint Louis, Missouri.

Enjoying Breakfast at the Hi Vee Food Store in Altoona, Iowa.
This food chain is employee owned and the service
was terrific.

Then on to the Famous Freedom Rock.  A young Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II
was inspired to do something of note after he saw the epic movie
Saving Private Ryan.  He painted this rock near Greenfield, Iowa for Memorial
Day 1999.  It has now become an annual project and
each May he repaints the Rock.  It has become a meca
for Tourist to visit.

 If you desire to learn more about this Rock I would suggest that you conduct an Internet Search with the key words:  Freedom Rock Iowa

Our next stop was the Hickory Park Restaurant in Ames, Iowa.
This facility near the Iowa Cyclones Campus has become
an Ames Tradition since it was founded in 1970.

I believe this picture was taken as we eagerly awaited our Blue Bunny
Ice Cream.  Blue Bunny Ice Cream is produced in a small town of  La Mars in
Northwest Iowa.  They claim that more Ice Cream is made there than
any other location on the Planet.

After a wonderful Lunch we journeyed to Reiman Gardens which is
a sixteen acre garden near the Jack Trice Football Stadium.

These gardens have an annual theme.  For 2013 it was sculpture
produced by Iowa University Students.  Of course we all
enjoyed the Gardens and have several interesting pictures
taken of our interaction with the sculptures.

Of course Ranger Sailors had to get in on the scene.  Here
we make our own human sculpture.

The Ranger Boys Take A Break!!!!

This Blog Editor takes a moment to pose on a Rock at
Reiman Gardens.

The Rangerman from Pittsburg with His Bride near a Bunny.

A sign near one of the Student produced sculptures

Rest Time from our Walking at Reiman Gardens.

Even the girls got in on the fun!!!

This Picture of the Jack Trice Stadium in Ames is posted here
because this is the view you see as you
depart Reiman Gardens.
 To learn about this Stadium named after Jack Trice
and also the home field of the Iowa Cyclones please visit:

http://www.cyclones.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=10700&ATCLID=3683145

The Bondurant, Iowa Freedom Rock also painted by
Bubba Sorensen.  Bubba is currently painting a "Freedom Rock"
in each of the 99 counties of Iowa.

The 2013 Annual Visit to Iowa was very special because I was able to participate in a Mini-Ranger Reunion with two great Shipmates who served in this great Attack Aircraft Carrier affectionately known as "The Top Gun of the Pacific Fleet."

Again, and I know I repeat myself, I am very proud of my Home State - Iowa!!!