Kansas to Oklahoma - Oct 4, 2010

This was my blind opening adventure in Wal Mart in Des Moines. Didn't take many pictures on the way to Emporia. (like none)

As we leave Emporia, KS the land looks a little barren.

A beautiful river through a dirty window.

While driving through this area, I felt like I was in a different world. It's called the Tall Prairie Grass area.

No trees, just grass.

This electric pole is the only "tree" I could find.

Those are just shadows, not trees.

Alright, there's trees!!!

We drove over this train.

The first house we saw in 40 miles.

Then it starts getting greener.

The Esparzas on the Road. (in the Arbuckle Mountain range)

Happy Camper.

Destination.

You know, we travel the same road as Connie but she sees more of it than I do. She must keep the camera in her hand at all times. I don't, I do foolish things like sleep, read or find something interesting on the map. At any rate, thank you for what I DO see. See her blog: http://esparzacm.blogspot.com for more.

Des Moines, IA - Oct 2, 2010

The courthouse in Winterset, IA.

Around the courthouse.

Oop--had to see if this was still the same. It is...but higher in price.

Well, Pilgrim, who do we have here?

Manuel and Connie checking it out.

Small house, big man. The reason he is called Duke is because when he was young, he had a dog named Duke. Someone in town started calling them Big Duke and Little Duke. He was known as "The Duke" after that.

The Dessert Shoppe was pretty tempting.

Typical small town jewelry shop. Always on a corner so the burglers can get away.

Then off to see the covered bridges of Madison County. I thought the inside was rather interesting. How 'bout you? The reason they covered the bridges was to protect the wood of the bridge. It was cheaper to cover them to protect them from the weather (and repair) than to buy new planks.

The gift shop was a little distance away. It was kinda quaint.

This was in the river bed.

The Roseman Bridge was built in 1883.

Cutler-Donahoe Bridge built in 1871. This was in the city park in Winterset.

A log cabin in the city park.

There was a wall about 12 feet high below this bridge. No water but we got a bridge.

Also in the park, Clark Tower.

We could have gone up the stairs but I wasn't having any of that height stuff.

Can't imagine why this tower was built if all you could see was trees. But then, I didn't go upstairs.

George ain't goin' either!!!

Caught a glimpse of this on the way out of the park.

The Bridges of Madison County was partially filmed here. Think about this---Clint Eastwood ate here!!! And so did we.

After traveling all those dusty roads to see the bridges, this is how our tires appeared.

OK, time for balloons.

He looks like he can't believe what he's seeing.

The winner of some race won this balloon.

Wow, look at all the balloons.

Beautiful window.

Another winner.

Another full day full of fun. Thank you for everything.

Minneapolis to Des Moines - Oct 1, 2010

My usual open the blinds. This was a pretty nice park. Oughta be--casino campground!!!

The water is pretty high. That was my number one concern on this leg of the trip.

Neato!!!

Iowa's welcome center.

Across the street from the welcome center. No, we didn't go.

The back of the center.

A corner dedicated to Veterans.

This guy really helped us a lot.

Ho hum, tummy full, time to nap. Thank you for delivering us safely to Des Moines WalMart.