May 2003 .............

Madison County: Most people think of Iowa as a place to drive through on the way somewhere else. In reality, Iowa is a fascinating place to spend some time. The corn grows as far as you can see in any direction, appears perfectly even on on top and sways in the breeze. What a site! We have been told there is up to 25+ feet of top soil in some areas and that it's not legal to grow wheat in Iowa because it would run all the wheat producing states out of business.
Don't miss the old covered bridges in Madison County, fascinating history. We were there before someone started burning them. The bridges are near the town of Winterset, John Wayne's birthplace. To get to the area, there is a turnoff of I-35, South of Des Moines.

May 2003 ............. Sept 2006 .............

Boone County: While visiting Jim & Randi in Ames, we decided to explore Boone County. The city of Boone is the birthplace of Mamie Doud Eisenhower. One can visit the house where she was born. From Boone, you can take the Scenic Valley Railroad Tour. Neither of these attractions open until May 31st, so we were to early for both. Next stop, the Kate Shelly Memorial High Bridge. It's one of the worlds highest and longest double track railroad bridges. Completed in 1901, it was named after the 15 year old girl that risked her life crawling across a bridge near Monigona during a storm in 1881 to warn an approaching passenger train of a collapsed bridge farther ahead .When in the area in 2006 we took the Railroad tour, it was interesting.
From there we went to Perry to see the Hotel Pattee, a beautiful restored old hotel. The hotel opened in 1913 and was restored in 1997. We were told by locals that the building had gone through many business ventures over the years and finally ended up with homeless people living in it. A lady that was a native of Perry, and now lives in California purchased the building for $38,000., then put $10,000,000. into renovation. It has 40 rooms, each with a different theme. There is a two lane vintage bowling alley and a fitness center in the basement. Connected to the lobby is a cozy library. Each suite is decorated in a different theme. It's a working hotel, would be fun to spend a night there.
Note: The hotel closed in Dec of 2006, what a shame!!

September 2003 .............

Des Moines: While visiting the grand kids in Des Moines, we took a trip to Living History Farms. The farm is a 600 acre open air museum, with a 1700 Ioway Indian Village, an 1850 pioneer farm, an 1875 town and 1600 horse powered farm. The museum spans a historic period of 300 years. You are taken to the indian village and walk between the other villages. All are being worked as they were in the depicted time period. One can make a reservation to eat an evening meal of the food that has been prepared in the villages during the day. The pies baked in wood stoves and put in the pie cupboards to cool were especially inviting. The flies, however weren't inviting.

RV parks we use in the Des Moines area, a federal park at Saylorville Lake, we stay in Prairie Flower, great sites, some on the lake, elect available at each site and water that can usually be reached with a loooooong hose, you can fill up, but not stay connected. Dump station available. Lots of places to hike, ride bikes etc. When we want full hook-ups we stay at Adventureland RV Park, nice park, full hook-ups, next to the amusement park and casino.

Des Moines State Capitol

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