Just Sayin'

Short blog today...just catching up. Yesterday, on our way to be with the fabulous MO Barton's, I had to visit this shop. My favorite quilting store, bar none, Hickory Stick in Hannibal, Missouri.

I made up for lost time, having made no purchases at the last couple shops we visited. Jim says I made up for the next couple as well. Got to keep the industry thriving, right?  Just sayin'...

And these are the fabulous MO B's, the real reason for our entire road trip. We are so happy to be here spending the next couple of weeks with them.

Wishing you a great day!
Pat

Keosauqua, Iowa

  Tuesday, after an exciting night of lightening, thunder and rain, we left Eagleville, MO headed to Keosauqua State Park in southeast Iowa. The weather was still pretty rainy and we did miss one little turn that put us on a wet, muddy, gravel road. So thankful for the young couple who came along and guided us out of the maze of farmland.

We earned every spatter of mud! Couldn’t see one thing out the LR windows or the motorhome rear window.

     Keosauqua has a wonderful campground in a pretty, dense forest along the Des Moines River. I love the sounds of the birds here. There must be hundreds of them with all kinds of voices. And at twilight the frogs add their songs to the chorus.  Just beautiful!

There’s a picturesque beach house and river-front cabins with a wonderful old stone walkway down to the swimming area.   

 

The Des Moines River is a major feature of this area. It winds throughout the county.

 I found this cute guy following me on my way to the beach.

     Keosauqua is at the center of Van Buren County in southeastern Iowa. The county is known for its quaint scattered villages, each surrounded by lovely farmland or sitting along the river-front. We explored several of the villages and spent most of our time in Bentonsport. 

We took a look in the General Store and the Artists Guild. Hey look, same cute guy!

And, of course, the quilt shop.

We loved the artwork we found at Iron And Lace, a husband and wife business. He’s a blacksmith and she’s a potter. They produce lovely pieces and we decided to invest in the community by making some purchases at their shop 

This was his fully equipped and functional workshop. Also a garden house.

And this building…a privy???

We had lunch made at this lovely little shop. Home made sandwiches, cookies, fudge and ice cream were on the menu.

The town bandstand was a perfect spot for us to enjoy our sandwiches and watch the lazy river.

And with a parting sense of humor…if you’ve got to have gas, may as well flaunt it!

  We are so happy we found this little jewel of a county. And, we are so happy for another day of sunshine!

     Today we made a bee-line to Foristell, Missouri, and the wonderful hugs of our kids and grandkids. We’ll be spending a couple of weeks with them, celebrating Jim’s Big 70 and Michael’s high school graduation. Woohoo!!

Wishing you a great day!
Pat

The Bridges

     Today we set out to explore Winterset, Iowa and the Bridges of Madison County. I love the beauty of this area and the evidence of rural history all around. Also, some of us remember that  there was a book and movie that made it all a little more interesting.
     And, for us quilters, Fons and Porter from Love of Quilting TV and magazine fame have a quilt shop in town. Not to be left out, John Wayne was born in Winterset and the town opened a new museum in his memory this weekend.

We started at the Visitor Center in St. Charles. A beautiful old church, rescued at auction by a local lady who wanted the windows to be saved. Her family later donated the church to the town.

    
First bridge on our route was the Imes Bridge, listing just a bit.

Then we found the Holliwell Bridge.

And the Cutler-Donohoe Bridge.

Taking a side trip from the bridges, we found this tower, built as a family memorial.

         

No rain during our explorations today…lovely and warm.

Winterset had a Memorial Day Parade that ended with a ceremony at the cemetery. Just beautiful to see the honor this town has for their veterans.

           

           
Each of the flags along the walkway has a marker for a vet who gave up their life in battle.

     Winterset has a charming and well restored town square. The center attraction is the courthouse.

         
Of course there’s a water tower. And the buildings are a wonderful assortment of architecture.

Fons and Porter’s store is right on the square.

     
Sadly, the store was closed for the holiday so I could only go window shopping.

For movie fans, this restaurant was featured in the film. Also closed for the holiday. Too bad…I heard they serve excellent pie.

John Wayne is a hero around here. His movies are always on the Iowa Theater marquee.

         
And his birthplace is a lovely, well kept house.

   Now back to the bridges. Just three more to find.

  
Ok…”the bridge” from “the movie.” Roseman Bridge.  And the little gift store on the grounds. All of the bridges are on beautifully maintained grounds. Some have been relocated to parks and others well maintained in their original sites

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Next, Hogback Bridge. To be honest, they all look pretty much the same to me. The same architectural style, built in the late 1800’s, crossing the several small rivers in the communities.

         

    
A peek through the knotholes.

Last, but not least, Cedar Bridge.

     

 
The only one you’re allowed to drive through.

We ended our explorations at The Amish Country Store. Jim had a chocolate malt and I enjoyed an Amish fried blueberry pie with ice cream.

A nice day of exploration.

Wishing you a great day!
Pat