Back to My Hometown

On Sunday, we left Council Bluffs and LW's family and headed east to my neck of the woods, the Davenport area. After a disaster with a tire tread in the road (see previous post), we arrived at my aunt and uncle's farm outside Tipton, Iowa.  My Aunt Bonnie had arranged for all her kids and their families as well as two of my other cousins to come hang out and stay for supper.  ( Bonnie, Rick, Darci, Tom, Alden, Alex, Denise, Ricky, Heidi, Erica, Caleb, Becky, Melissa, Schelli, Rob, Randy, Liz, Abby, and Andy) It was so much fun laughing and joking and telling stories with everyone. The food was great, especially the chocolate drop cookies (made by Abby).

Monday morning after taking the car in for an estimate and having breakfast, we headed to see Dad and Pat.  After some lunch in West Branch, Iowa, we visited the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum.

Then we met some more of my family at Lancer Grille in Eldridge. (Donna, Ron, Kim, Tony, Kayla, Chad,  Kenley, Gene and Mary). We had a great time visiting with them as well. So glad they came out to see us.

Tuesday, we dropped the car off to be fixed and went to Maquoketa for lunch and on to Dubuque.  There we rode the Fenelon Place Elevator. It was originally built to help a guy get home earlier for his afternoon nap instead of riding his horse and buggy all the way around the hills. The views were beautiful and the ride was fun.

Then we drove onto Dyersville to see the Field of Dreams site. This did not disappoint.  I loved it!

Following that we had lunch and then went to the National Farm Toy Museum. I've never seen so many toy tractors in one place.

Wednesday we went to visit Uncle Roland. He is actually Dad's uncle. He is my Grandpa Lloyd's youngest brother and the only one of his siblings still with us.  He will be 96 on Sunday.  We enjoyed our visit with him and his daughter Marcia.  Then we went into Davenport to the Figge Art Museum to see a special exhibition on "The Wonderful World of Oz."  They had Dorothy's dress and the wicked witch's hourglass on display, along with promotional posters and other memorabilia.  They also had a first edition book of L. Frank Baum's book.

Thursday involved less running around and we got our car back this afternoon. We will be headed to Chicago tomorrow.

Unexpected delay in leaving on Friday. The Cornhusker Band stopped to practice in Davenport so we stayed to watch.

Thanks eastern Iowa for a great visit and special thanks to Dad and Pat for letting us stay with them and run us all over the eastern side of the state. Now on to Chicago.