Dyersville, Iowa

Dubuque County

Saint Francis Xavia

Basilica

If you ever have the opportunity to travel the roads in West Dubuque County you will always notice the twin steeples in the distance.  These steeples which exceed 200 feet in height are part of Saint Francis Xavia Basilia.

As a young child I was always impressed with this Church.  I was born and raised in Clayton County which is just North of Dubuque County but I have fond memories of when my parents shopped at the A&P Grocery in Dyersville.

During our recent trip to Iowa I took the opportunity to once again visit this Church and I acquired this picture.  It was a clear sunny day with no clouds in the sky.  To learn more about this Church and the history please visit:

http://www.xavierbasilica.com/tourism.htm

If you took the time to read the above link you now know that construction of this Church was started in 1888.  I believe that is also the year that construction commenced on Saint Josephs Catholic Church here in Macon, Georgia.



Amana Colonies, Iowa

For more years than I care to remember I have always wanted to visit the Amana Colonies in Iowa.  This settlement and the area is known for the great food that is available at the Ox Yoke Inn.  We stopped and enjoyed a delightful Dinner as we traveled to Northeast Iowa.

 My parents used to travel to this Inn with friends and enjoy a delightful Sunday Afternoon way back in the late 50s.

After we enjoyed our Dinner we had to have our pictures taken.  A fellow tourist took this shot at the Photo Spot.

One More Item Deleted From My Bucket List!!!

Visit Report

Altoona and Des Moines, Iowa

Today I will post a summary of our visit with the Griffin's of Altoona, Iowa.  My Bride and I recently enjoyed a three day stay at their new home.

We arrived in the evening after a day journey from Saint Louis, Missouri.  We dined on a delightful Supper of "Chicken Grillers" which were baked to perfection.  They were made by a local food market and were Very Good.

Later that evening we visited the Neal Smith Wild Life Refuge and saw Elk, Deer and Bison.

The next morning we enjoyed a breakfast of Bacon and Waffles with Sunny "D" Orange Juice.

We visited the Freedom Rock West of Des Moines

We then visited the Iowa Veterans Cemetery off of Interstate 80 as we returned to Des Moines.  A power window malfunction tested the ability of my knuckles to recover after being pinched.

Our next stop was the Iowa National Guard Museum at Camp Dodge which is North of downtown Des Moines.  This Museum caused a lot of emotions to come forth.  I was able to ring the Ship's Bell from the USS Des Moines. 

We viewed Saylorville Lake behind a large Dam on the Des Moines River.

We enjoyed a late Dinner at Smash Burgers.

We then enjoyed a relaxing afternoon with the Griffins at their home.

We enjoyed a Mongolian BBQ at Hu Hog in Clive Iowa, which is near Des Moines.

The next morning after another delightful breakfast we visited the Des Moines Botanical Gardens and walked the Robert D. Ray Japanese Gardens as well as the People Bridge near the Wells Fargo Arena.

We visited Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa and enjoyed a delightful Supper at Hickory Park Restaurant also in Ames.  We all enjoyed delightful "Blue Bunny Ice Cream Treats.

We enjoyed a relaxing evening with our Host, the Griffins and prepared for our departure the next morning to Northeast Iowa.

I make this Post in great detail because our Host, Marv and I served on the great ship, the USS Ranger (CVA-61) in 1963.  He kept very accurate records and has an entire collection of memorabilia from his tour in Ranger.  I have a copy of the cruise book and the Shellback Certificate.  I know that Marv will keep a copy of this Post because he is a very thorough record keeper.

Thank You!!!

Potato Baker

Recently we received a gift package in the U. S. Mail from our Friends who live in Altoona, Iowa.  We had the pleasure to visit them during our recent trip to the Holy Land this past Summer.  The package contained a Potato Baker with instructions.  This is a fast way to bake potatoes and no wasted foil or mess in the Micro Wave.

 The finished product certainly tasted good.  A very fast, efficient way to make a one dish meal.

In The Beginning

The Visit to Iowa

2011

I just realized that I have gotten ahead of myself in my Blog Post.  We traveled to Iowa from Saint Louis, Missouri on June 28th.  My Bride also documented our trip to the Holy Land.  Here is an image of the Flower Child as we entered Iowa.  We were on the Missouri Highway that runs through Macon, Missouri.  Once we crossed the Iowa line we observed this sign.  Of course I had to stop and let My Bride document the event.

 Here you see the gentle rolling hills of South Iowa.  Not all of Iowa is Flat as this image proves.

 These two views were taken at Reiman Gardens in Ames, which you have already read about.

I better refresh my photography skills in as much as My Bride often takes better images than I.

Ames, Iowa

Cyclone Stadium

and

Post Game Dining Spots

 Admittedly, June 30th is not the peak of the Cyclone Football Season, however I had to include this view here. 

 I understand that Iowa Cyclone Fans usually dine here at the Hickory Park Restaurant Company which is very close to Cyclone Stadium.

 Out Host, the Griffins took us here for a casual meal.  The Restaurant known for BBQ and Ice Cream Specialties was established in 1970 and is a fixture in Ames.

An interior view.  This facility is set up to feed large crowds of fans any season of the year.  This is but one row of booths.  If I recall there are at least three rows.

Should you desire to know more about Hickory Park please visit:

http://www.hickoryparkames.com/

I know that you may be thinking that Ice Cream and BBQ do not mix, but I can assure you that I enjoyed my wonderful meal here in this casual setting.



Holy Land Visit Highlights

June 30th, 2011

I suspect that in order to be correct, I the Flower Child, must now state that I was born and raised in Iowa, U.S.A.  When I refer to the Holy Land I usually mean Iowa.

 My Siblings have informed me of the Wonderful Reiman Gardens located in Ames, Iowa.  In fact I have a Neice who worked at Reiman Gardens a few years ago.  Now I can take the Visit to Reiman Gardens off of my Bucket List.

 On the North edge of the parking lot we used to visit Reiman Gardens I viewed this imposing structure.  It is the home of the Iowa Cyclones.

 Reiman Gardens is famous for it's Garden Art.  Here you see this Blog's author and his Bride posing with a lovely Ant.

 There is also a Butterfly Garden at these Gardens and it was a real joy to visit on this hot day because it was cooled.

 Here is another view of the Blog Author and a side profile of the Ant.

 The gardens provided bogs, meadows and prairie settings.  A delightful place to visit. 

This bunny head captured my attention.  I just had to take a picture.

As you can quickly ascertain, Reiman Gardens is a delightful place to visit.  It is an excellent place for both adults and children.  If you are ever in Ames, Iowa take the opportunity to visit these Gardens.

2011 Holiday to the Holy Land

Revealed

During the 2011 Holiday to the Holy Land, which has been the focus of many entries here in "The World This Week" I have included pictures of some of the high points.  On June 30th we visited the Des Moines Botanical Gardens.

In addition to the sights below, Our Host and I walked the People Bridge near the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.  We also visited the Robert D. Ray Japanese Gardens.

 This delightful, colorful sculpture greeted us on our arrival at the Des Moines Botanical Gardens.

 The Staff was busy preparing a new display during our visit.  They were most friendly and answered our questions while they worked.

Of course the flowers on display were most interesting.  I could not let this photo opportunity pass me by.

A delightful place to visit.

Neal Smith National

Wildlife Refuge

Prairie Learning Center

Revisited

On July 25, 2011 I posted an entry here about our recent visit to the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge.  Recently our Friends in Iowa visited this Refuge again and obtained pictures of the animals close up.  

 Bison

 Elk

More Bison

Thanks to our Host in Altoona, Iowa for these updated/close-up pictures.  We will always have fond memories of our Visit to this Refuge in 2011.



Macon, Georgia

a

Photographer's Paradise

 Several evenings ago, My Bride and I conducted a two person photo shoot of a well known Macon, Georgia Landmark. 

 Previous to this Photo Shoot I had entered a photo of this site in a Middle Georgia Camera Club Competition.  The Judge, who was from Florida, gave some great commentary on how I could improve my images of this site.  I kept the commentary and actually read it prior to this shoot.

 One of the comments was to get up close and focus on the lines and angles.  I appreciate the composition that resulted when I zoomed in on this part of the structure.

 Another comments was to visit the location during the Golden Hours, which are one hour after Sunrise or one hour prior to Sunset.  This photo shoot was conducted during the period of one hour prior to Sunset.  Here you can see the glow on the left side which is a benefit of that advice.

 Another zoomed in view of the discharge chute of the Coaling Tower.  Again, the glow of the setting Sun is evident.

I like the diagonial line the steps create in this close up.  Also the glow of the setting Sun on the left side.



The final line of the critique was to sometimes face the subject straight on.  This view takes that comment into action.

It was a fun photo shoot and I enjoyed the opportunity to put a Judge's Comments into practice.

The Georgia State Partnership

for

Long Term Care

Today I received a nice letter from "The Georgia State Partnership for Long Term Care."  This was the only letter I received.  Certainly a refreshing situation in as much as I have not received any bills the last two days.  In view of the current economic situation in the U. S. A. it is indeed refreshing to not receive any bills in the Mail.

Prior to opening the letter I noted the return address on the back flap of the envelope.  It was sent from:

1847 West 2300 South, Salt Lake City, Utah  84119

Once I noted the return address I determined that it was of no value to me.  If an organization wants to connect with me as a "Georgia State Partnership" one would think that they would be located in Georgia.

This situation is a lot like working at the "Ford" Plant and wearing a "Cheve" hat.  I did not open the letter; however I did ascertain that the fact that I received it would make an interesting Blog Entry.



The Flower Child's Letter

I am confident that you have recently heard our President ask us all to contact our duly elected leaders to help the U. S. A. recover from the current economic crisis and help develop "jobs" here in our Country.

Today I am publishing the following letter to my President, my Senators from Georgia and my Congressman from the 8th District of Georgia. 

I do this as requested by our President which I heard during his recent trip through the Great Upper Midwest.  The message I sent is in black.

August 17, 2011




Dear Mr. President,



Please note that I will also send this to my two Georgia Senators and the Congressman from Georgia’s Eighth District where I reside.



Your recent comments during your tour through Iowa have encouraged me to contact my duly elected Senators and my Congressman.



I also am taking the liberty to communicate with you.



Your stop at Rausch’s Café in Guttenberg, Iowa yesterday, August 16, 2011 certainly caused a lot of excitement. The media was not present because they were positioned in Peosta. That is where you were scheduled to speak. I trust that you enjoyed your breakfast at Rausch’s. My Brother and I have frequently enjoyed our breakfast there and also the company of many retired Farmers.



As you know, Iowa is the Bread Basket of the Nation. Iowa has 25% of the Grade A farmland in the U. S. A.



Iowa produces food products at a level that no State in the U. S. A. can equal.



Yet I have heard allegations that our Nation’s Transportation Department is considering the establishment of regulations/rules that would require all “Farm Tractors and Self Propelled Implements” to be considered “Commercial” which would require that Farmers meet a whole host of rules and regulations that are currently effective for operators/owners of freight companies down to individual Truck Owner/Operators.  I am confident that you can appreciate the fact that this would cause the cost of production to raise.  After all, no one can maintain logs and comply with a host of regulations without incurring an additional expense.



I simply cannot comprehend how You as our President can even consider approving such a move. Our Nation’s Farmers produce great abundance, which is, used both here in the U. S. A. and abroad. Even China is now being blamed for the high cost of food because they are competing for our foodstuffs. I recently saw this on the evening news during a CBS broadcast.



I would suggest that You, as our President, who has openly stated that we need to grow our economy to have our Department of Transportation (DOT) to cease this reported folly. Our Nation’s Farmers do not need more regulation such as the DOT. I suspect that the only jobs this folly will produce will be the employment of rule makers/enforcers, which will simply add to the cost of government. Now, regarding the cost of government, you and I know that our government already cost too much. There is really no need to establish rules/regulations to raise the cost of government.



I would humbly suggest that You and Our Nation’s Duly elected leaders focus on what will improve the lot of each and every American Citizen.



Thank You!!! Together We Can Keep the U.S.A. a World Class Country!!!

Freedom is Never Free

From time to time all freedom loving peoples must exercise their right to Vote in Elections here in the United States of America.  I print this picture today to remind everyone that the Right to Vote has been won and also maintained by the dedication of the Men and Women who have served in our United States Military.

Therefore, if you are ever thinking about not participating in the process to elect our Lawmakers and Leaders in any Election Cycle; may I remind you that as a citizen you have the awesome duty to vote in every election possible.

Georgia

Georgia

Georgia

Georgia

Southeastern Region

Little League

Champions

Next Stop

Williamsport, PA.

Well Done!!!!

Georgia

Iowa's Capital

"Our Liberties We Prize, Our Rights We Will Maintain"     This is the Iowa motto.  I have fond memories of learning this motto when I was a young scholar at Jefferson Number Six School.

To learn more about this unique building please visit:

http://www.legis.state.ia.us/Pubinfo/Tour/