Monday, August 31, 2015

Iowa Adventure
2015 Concluded
 
 Every Year during our Annual Trip to the Holy Land (a.k.a. Iowa) My Sibling Brother John Paul and I conduct a Field Trip.  When we arrived in Guttenberg, Iowa on 1 July I visited Lock and Dam Number 10 on the Mississippi River because that is where My Brother Works and I suspected that I would get to seem him there.  When we arrived there was a Tow getting ready to enter the Locks going South.  My Brother was on duty!!
 
John Paul Looking!!

My Brother and the Lock Master!!

The Army Corps of Engineers Workers checking out the Tourist!!

The Barges leaving the Locks proceeding South!

 On 6 July My Brother and I conducted our annual Field Trip limiting ourselves to Clayton and Dubuque Counties.  This is the road to the Cassville, Wisconsin Ferry.
 This is the Power Plant at Cassville with a Pusher and Barges traveling South!!
 A rolling hills of Dubuque County Farm Stead in Dubuque County!!
 Another view of the rolling hills.
 A Paddle Wheel at the entrance to the Mississippi River Museum in Dubuque, Iowa.
 Of course My Brother had to Model the Paddle Wheel!!
 After a lovely Lunch at Applebee's we traveled U. S. Highway 52 toward Guttenberg, Iowa.  Here is another view of the rolling countryside!!
 This is what remains of an abandoned Farm Stead near Millville, Iowa.  A lonely Silo stands watch!
I had My Brother stop so I could take this picture of a Honey Bee Farm near Millville.  A great day complete with Sibling Bonding Time on 6 July 2015.
 
 
Iowa Adventure 2015
 
 
Now that my right hand is almost healed I can use the entire Keyboard and also the Mouse so I will publish more information about our 2015 Iowa Adventure.
 
We arrive in Iowa on 24 June with our first stop at the Machine Shed in Davenport, Iowa for a wonderful Late Breakfast.  This is a locally owned eatery with one other outlet in Iowa at Urbandale. 

We then traveled to Altoona, Iowa and checked in with our Bed and Breakfast Host, Marv and Judy.  Alan served in the USS Ranger (CVA-61) with Marv in 1963.  We did not know each other then, but have connected as two Iowa Sailors through the Ship's Reunion Website. 

On 25 June we visited West End Architectural Salvage in downtown Des Moines.  You may have seen this place if you ever enjoy Great American Country Television.  The building consist of five stories of interesting artifacts of yesteryear, housed in a former Grocery Wholesale Warehouse.

We then toured the Iowa Historical Museum in downtown Des Moines and enjoyed a delightful Lunch in the Cafeteria.


On our way back to Marv and Judy's Bed and Breakfast I had to stop to capture this picture of a Cow and Calf at a Local Dairy Processing Plant. 

 
On Friday, 26 June we all attended an Iowa Cubs Baseball Game.  Unfortunately the New Orleans Zephyrs defeated the I-Cubs in a shutout game.
 
On Saturday 27 June we visited Bass Pro-Shop and enjoyed a delightful Lunch at Uncle Buck's Restaurant.  We did not participate in a bowling match.  This Bass Pro-Shop was set up for Family entertainment in addition to a large retail Store.  Saturday evening was another outing to an I-Cubs game at Principal Park and the I-Cubs won over the Zephyrs 6 to 1.
 

 Sunday, 28 June was our opportunity to Worship at Christ the King, Lutheran Church Missouri Synod in Altoona with Marv and Judy followed by a casual breakfast at the HyVee Food Market in Altoona.  Great food with excellent service.
 
On Sunday evening we visited the Neal Smith National Wildlife Preserve East of Des Moines and observed one Buffalo and six Elk in their natural habitat.  We also enjoyed a wonderful Supper at Goldies Ice Cream Shop in Prairie City which features the famous in the Mid West Tenderloin.

Monday, 29 June.  We visited the Freedom Rock near Greenfield, Iowa.  We have visited this Rock, which is updated each May to honor our Nation's Heroes, many times.  To learn more about the Freedom Rock simply conduct an Internet search so see many albums of pictures of this special place.

Our Lunch stop was at The Olive Branch in Greenfield.  Of course I had to take a picture of the Court House in this charming Iowa Town. 

On our way back to Altoona I observed this sign.  Of course I had to get this picture.  I suspect that it has been a few years since this dining spot has sold any Salads.

Just off of I-80 West of Des Moines is the Iowa National Cemetery.  It is a very peaceful place located on gently rolling hills of Iowa Country Side.  We concluded the day with another wonderful Supper at Marv and Judy's Bed and Breakfast topped off with a visit to the Altoona Dairy Queen.
 
Tuesday, 30 June was a relaxing day as we prepared to travel to Northeast Iowa the next day.  However Marv and I did visit Menards and Janice Marie, Marv and I visited the "Enabling Garden" in Altoona prior to a great Iowa Supper.  This Departure Supper featured Iowa Pork Chops, Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob and Baked Potatoes.
 
On Wednesday, 1 July we departed Altoona headed to Clayton County to spend a week with Alan's Siblings and their respective families.  As you may ascertain from the comments above Marv and Judy actually run more than a Bed and Breakfast in Altoona.  Of course USS Ranger Shipmates are always welcome and we have already placed our reservations for our return Holiday in 2016. 

Thursday, August 13, 2015

Home Maintenance Tips

 
Air Conditioning System
Maintenance
and
Septic System
Maintenance
 
Yesterday, 12 August 2015 as I observed a Local Heating and Air Conditioning Firm install a new Compressor and the Cooling Coil for the second story of our home I asked business Owner about Air Filters and keeping the bottom of the Cooling Coil clean.  I asked because years ago homeowners were advised to purchase tablets and place them in the water collection area of the Cooling Coil Tray.  This sounded great except it required access to the Cooling Coil water collection area.  Not an easy task to access.
 
The new method and more homeowner friendly is to purchase a can of Disinfectant Spray and use it as follows:
 
  • Each time you change the Air Filter simply have the fan running on the air handling equipment and with the filter removed spray the disinfectant for about ten to fifteen seconds into the area behind or above where the filter is set.
  • Once you have sprayed install the new Air Filter.
 
The  first picture below shows the filter.  As we discussed the keeping the Air Conditioning System Cooling Coil clean the next subject I learned about was using the proper Air Filter.  I was informed that recent advances in Air Filters has resulted in various Laboratory Test.  The results were that the use of a cheap filter allows the air to circulate much quicker and thereby catching the dust almost as well as the more expensive Air Filters.  The key is to change the filter monthly, especially during the Cooling Season. 
 
I purchase these economy filters by the case so I always have
filters available to change out every month!!!


This product which sells for about $5.00 a can
is just as effective as one that some Heating and
Air Conditioning Contractors will sell to you
for about $30.00 a can.


 
Now for the low cost information on Septic Tank Maintenance.  During a recent campaign for the Local Authority I visited the Sewerage Treatment System.  During the course of the information sharing I indicated that My Home had a Septic Tank.  I was informed that I could use the Tank Maintenance systems currently sold to the public on a monthly basis.  However if I really desired an effective Septic Tank Treatment at much less cost I could simply pour one gallon of Buttermilk in the System once a year.  You can be sure that I am currently doing just that. 
 
I continue to be educated on how to be a cost effective Home Owner.  All one has to do is ask.  Today I share this information so that you also may know!!