"Is This Heaven?"

"This is Iowa!!!!"

Yes, the Holiday in Iowa Continues.  We have departed our Friends Home in Altoona, Iowa to travel to Clayton County.  Of course we also took the opportunity to enjoy a delightful Lunch at the Ox Yoke Inn in Amana, Iowa.

We next took the opportunity to visit the "Field of Dreams" near Dyersville, Iowa.  Enroute we had to stop at the "Toy Store" to acquire appropriate "John Deere" Gifts.

This picture of an information sign at
the Field of Dreams summarizes this
visit very well.  

Neal Smith National Wildlife

Refuge - Jasper County

Iowa

This refuge is known for Buffalo and Elk and is located in the heart of the Iowa Corn Belt just South of I-80 in Jasper County.  

We visit this Refuge each year and it is always exciting to see the animals.  We were able to observe the Buffalo at a closer location than ever before.

I was standing in the vehicle through the Moon
Roof to obtain this view.  This refuge has
so many visitors that that animals are
used to being photographed.  Of course
this is a Wildlife Refuge so visitors are
advised to remain in their vehicles.

This is a view of an Iowa Corn Field located on
the same road as the Refuge.  

Iowa Cubs Baseball Game

Visiting our dear friends in Altoona, Iowa always allows us the opportunity to attend an Iowa Cubs Game!!

The ball field is in the shadow of the Iowa
Capital.

Here you see our Host approaching the
seating area we had to enjoy the Ball Game.

Marv, our Host along with His Bride (not shown) and
myself.  We both served in the USS Ranger (CVA-61)
during the 1963 Cruise.  We are both from Iowa and
we did not know each other then; however we
connected via the Ranger Reunion Website.

After the Game we passed by the grand looking
Iowa State Capital.  I had to capture this view for
my personal collection.  An impressive Capital
Building!!!!

Visiting South Central Iowa

In addition to visiting "The Freedom Rock" which has an international following we also visited one of the "Bridges of Madison County, Iowa" during this visit to Iowa.

Each May Bubba Sorrenson repaints this
Rock just South of I-80 West of
Des Moines, Iowa.

This Young Man was inspired by the movie
"Saving Private Ryan" so a good number
of years ago he painted this Rock in
Rural Iowa.  It has now become
an annual project.

Bubba is currently painting Freedom Rocks
for each of Iowa's 99 Counties.

This Blog's Author and His Bride pose at
the Freedom Rock!!

Our next stop was the Hogback Covered
Bridge in Madison County.

By clicking on this picture you can see
a larger view and learn all about this
Bridge.

The interior frame work that holds up
the roof of this Bridge.

I like the reflection of the Bridge and I took this view
at the suggestion of My Bride as we departed
the Bridge area.

We certainly enjoyed a lovely day visiting two wonderful locations in South Central Iowa.

Bloomfield, Iowa

The Holiday Continues

After we departed Saint Louis, Missouri we traveled North to Iowa to visit Friends who live in Altoona, Iowa.  When we arrived in Bloomfield I was shocked.  It certainly did not look like the Bloomfield Area that I know here in Middle Georgia.

This banner on the Street Light
impressived me.

As we approached the City Square I observed this
informative plaque.  I then saw the Court House for
Davis County.

The Davis County Court House

This view clearly shows the detail of this magnificantly maintained
building in Bloomfield, Iowa

The local citizens have done a wonderful job in preserving their downtown.
Well Done Bloomfield, Iowa

Our next stop was Pella, Iowa.  My Bride did not bring
here Wood Shoes so we could not get out to enjoy the town.
I did quickly capture this picture.

This post clearly shows what can happen to small towns when all the citizens are on board with maintaining their town and places of business.  

Enjoying Saint Louis, Missouri

Visiting Our Son

Our Son Enjoys Preparing Meals

We enjoyed a relaxing Independence day with our Son preparing a Wonderful Meal.  

Paducah, Kentucky - Again

The first picture shows My Bride with the Ohio River in the background.  Downtown Paducah has been known to flood so a flood wall with gates was constructed to keep the City Safe.  The following pictures show the art work which also displays the local History of the area.  Certainly an excellent way to present the many history lessons of the area to all who visit downtown Paducah.

Below each picture is a plaque which tells the significance of each mural.