As I was about to cross the Mississippi into Iowa, I decided to gas up and to get something to eat, so I pulled off the highway and went into a small town right on the Mississippi River. I had my first of many (I am sure) pork tenderloin sandwiches. I just love them. Louise and I used to run down to Des Moines in Mom's Chevy, having first had the speedometer unhooked, to get a coke and a tenderloin, and check out the guys! Long long ago! I then drove down to the river and took a picture.
Matilda and I were getting tired of I 80 so we went off onto a small road towards U.S. 30 W (The Lincoln Highway)towards our destination, Nevada, Iowa. A slower road but we had nothing but time. We reached Dick's house around 4PM. It was good to see him. Later we got a very good pizza and watched some war movie on TV.
Up at 6:30 AM the next day, we had breakfast, and then climbed into Dick's truck, headed for Fort Dodge, Iowa. We were going to stop at John Glesne's house (John is Dick's age, and he and his family were close friends of ours - in fact his father delivered me!) John had gotten some flowers for Dick to put on the graves, and he also had a couple of pieces of cast iron that Dick wanted. Dick had told me to be prepared when we went into the home that was once John's mother's. OMG - John is a worse pack rat than my brother Dick, and at once was telling us about the 25 castor sets he just bought, while probably twenty five others were covering every space in his living room. The cast iron is kept in the garage, in a room of its own, and very difficult to get to because of all the crap in the garage! Dick had wanted a number 6 Griswold fry pan and a corn pan. John was trying to convince him to get some thing else, as he brought out pan after pan. I am sure that some of what he had was not at all old. But John is no dummy. However he wouldn't take anything less than what he told Dick to give him. These guys have been friends since childhood. Dick was pissed, and I was quite frankly shocked. After about half an hour, we made our way out of the house, got the flowers, which were at best, a little peaked, and headed out to Oakland Cemetery and the Williams/Duncombe plots, where my parents and sister are buried. With a trowel Dick dug, and I planted, putting flowers next to the Duncombe monument, the Williams monument, and my mother's, father's and sister Judy's graves. Then we went over to the Catholic cemetery and put flowers on Dick's wife's grave as well as her mother's.
We then drove up to Humboldt, Iowa, to the Union Cemetery, where my mother's father and mother are buried, along with my grandmother Hawley's parents, who were Waller's. And then we were off, back to Ames, to get lunch, and then go to the store to get something for dinner. On our way down, we passed hog and chicken houses, probably at least a hundred or more, all along the highway. In the fields were huge windmills. The farmers get paid $300 - 400 for each one, and can still plant their fields around them. Amazing! The corn is up about two or three inches, and the fields are finally drying out. We also passed a Monsanto plant, and I plan to go back up if I can find it, and take some pictures. Monsanto is evil!
The Iowa that I knew is basically gone. The beautiful old barns are no longer used and many are falling down. The silos are a thing of the past, and most have lost their roofs. The standard windmill in the yard is still. Except for sheep and a few black Angus, I saw very few animals grazing in the fields. Equipment is stored in large silver, red or green corrugated steel barns. Corn is stored in round corrugated silver buildings. I saw very few well kept up original buildings as we drove. The little Iowan towns are still there, struggling to keep going, each one having its own main "drag." Agribusiness is big business here!
The rivers are all overflowing their banks, and running fast. The red and yellow-winged blackbirds hang from the reeds in the ponds and gulleys along the road. The soil is still coal black and beautiful. I still love Iowa, and I am glad to be back.
We stopped in Ames and had breakfast at The Country Pantry (I think), where they had pies to die for, but neither of us had a piece. Breakfast is served all day which I think is great! Outside the restaurant I saw this, and couldn't resist taking a picture.
We got back and watched the Indianapois 500. Yes I did!!! Then I watched the end of APOCALYPSE NOW - REDUX, fixed dinner. After dinner, Dick and I watched the NASCAR Coca Cola Classic in CHARLOTTE (I think). Yes, I watched that too!!!! And from the time we left home in the morning until after the last race, I had knitted two rectangles and started a third!!!! And I asked questions, which Dick loves to answer at length. And I learned a few things I didn't know!
Today, I was up at 8AM. After breakfast, I swept off the deck and the front porch and sidewalk. Then Dick brought up the lawn furniture for the deck and I scrubbed and cleaned the chair off. At 10 AM we sat out front, with a family Dick knew, and watched the Nevada Memorial Day parade. It was very nice with two bands, the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, and of course the vets being honored. Then I went in to pack up my computer, and left Dick mowing the lawn. The deck by the way needs sweeping again!
Tomorrow I will drive up to Fort Dodge and to the fort to take more pictures and talk to the curator. Then I will go to the Fort Dodge graves and try to clean them up. Depending on time, I will probably also go to the cemetery in Humboldt and do the same thing, as well as go to the court house to look up some records. Or that may be another day. I have the time...
A hui hou,
I love you all,
Sally
1 comment:
This is lovely, Sal....thank you.
mar
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