Iowa 2012

August 4, 2012

Tombstone of 3 that died

Holly, Bopper & Valen's Memorial

We left Altoona after saying goodbye to Mike & Cath, tough to leave them but time to beet feet to our next destination.   Our destination will be Mason City, IA but first we’ll stop and look around Clear Lake.   About ½ way there, ran into a major rain storm….thank goodness it quit and the remainder of the day has been beautiful.   While in Clear Lake we stopped at the Surf Ballroom, Buddy Holly, Big Bopper and Richie Valens had played their the night before their death on Feb 3, 1959.

The ballroom is filled with pictures of them plus many other entertainers who have played there over the years.   They still hold concerts there today.

Was at the car show we attended

1917 Maxwell

We then head to the downtown area where there was a car show going on.   Walked around and saw some beautiful old cars.   Afterwards drove to the trolly park but it was not anything wanted to see so we left.

Went to motorhome, had lunch and then headed to Mason City.   Decided to spend night at Petco Parking lot since we are here just over night, picked a nice quiet spot.  

In front of Music Man Museum

Frank Lloyd Wright Hotel in Mason City

Unhooked the car and head into downtown where we saw the Music Man Square (tribute to Meredith Wilson….he created the score for Frnak Lloyd Wright designed Hotel/Bank.   It’s still operated as a hotel.   You can tour the facility but we were to late and will not be here tomorrow at 1:30 when tour is offered.   We then walked across the street to the War Memorial.   It is very unique, as are all the ones we’ve seen on this trip.

We then went to the Stockman House which Mr. Wright also designed.   Again, to late to tour.

Headed back to the coach, will spend evening watching Olympics.

August  3, 2012

At the capital

Mike and Cath have a full schedule for us.   First we headed to downtown to visit the Capital.   Had a very interesting tour and learned a lot of the history of this capital.

Des Moines Capital Bldg

We then headed to the Salisbury House (Mr. Weeks....the original owner made his money in makeup).   The house was built in the 1920's but was made to look like it was a 100 years old.   It was very state of the art for it's time.   In 1954 the owners moved out and a it was turned into an office....too bad, but most of the interior was not maintained.   The foundation is slowly putting it back into it's orginal state....it will be fabulous once that's completed.

Then we drove about 60 miles to Greenville, IA to see "the freedom" rock.  It's a rock that Mr. Sorenson paints every year in a different theme about herorism.   It was beautiful done.  We then drove to his gallery but it was not open.

Freedom Rock in Greenville, IA

Salisbury House in Des Moines

Afterwards we headed back to Des Moines where we went to Costco and Trader Joe's.   Once we got done, we headed home.   Unloaded the groceries and I headed to the pool with Cath.   Bobby stayed home and took the chicken off the bone that we had bought at Costco and started to make the broth of chicken soup tomorrow night.

After swimming Cath and I went to local grocery store, she need a few things.   Home once again where I'm watching the Olympics.   Tomorrow we'll head to Bloomington, MN

August 2, 2012


Started the day by doing some geochasing around the Altoona, IA area.   Found 5 of them.   Then Mike and Cath took us to the Adventureland Park where they work.  We spent the day enjoying the water park and rides.

Best friends

Entering Adventureland Park

 We were bushed when we got home around 6:00 PM but took showers and got read to go out to dinner with them.   They took us to Claxtons near the park....excellent.   I had chicken and Bobby had a steak.   I brought over 1/2 of mine home.   Afterwards we were to exhausted to do anything so we called it a night.  Came home and watched Gabby of USA win Women's gymnastic gold medal.

August 1, 2012

Left Joliet around 7:30 and headed to Altoona, IA.   We wanted to get there by 1:00 PM so I could see my best friend Cathy before she had to go to work at 1:45.   We made it!!!!   We are staying at the Adventureland Campground where they work in the amusement park part of it.

Got settled in, visited with her for a while (Mikey was already at work) and then I went to Walmart to get a haircut.   Really needed one!   Came home and decided to watch Olympics and work on my blog.  Later to night we'll visit with Mike and Cath for a while and then tomorrow we’re going in the amusement park with them.