42N Observations

WWII German Helmet on the March Again

2012-01-29T22:45:00.001-06:00

World War II's legacy continues 67 years after German surrender in the form of war relic transactions. Direct from a WWII veteran's estate in Dubuque, Iowa came this German helmet and bayonet (not pictured) for sale at auction.

The long knife and scabbard sold first to a buyer from Wisconsin for $115. He collects Nazi relics and became giddy after the bayonet purchase, although the knife was missing one piece of hardware that attaches the weapon to a German rifle. His wife just rolled her eyes at the purchased weapon.

Then came the selling of the helmet which included a brief description of a cut chinstrap (perhaps by the bayonet) as the only area of concern. Audience attention went from busy chatter to almost silence as the auctioneer opened bidding to the floor and buyers on the telephone. Floor bidders stopped around $700, however the action continued between phone bidders until a winner was declared. The hammer fell following a $825 bid from a person in New Jersey.

This brief relic selling was a curious matter-of-fact transaction. Following the sale of these war pieces, the auction resumed its course of collectible glassware, jewelery, appliances, records, magazines and such.

Encountering a piece of history is a rare occurance. Several people examined the helmet before the sale, remarking about it's iconic shape, the cut leather strap, and of course the Nazi emblem. Few expressed an uneasiness with the helmet's creepiness factor of being a powerful symbol of World War II. They are probably glad that the helmet is on its way to New Jersey. Know that.

John's Barn: A Carpenter's Work

2012-01-25T13:29:00.004-06:00

Long ago this barn was created by a relative of a 42N staffer. In the early 1900s a talented carpenter/farmer constructed the barn, out buildings, and house. By any definition, John Hynek (1886-1957) knew how to build things. His carpentry skills, still evident through the highly ornate detailing of the barn's roof, are reasons why this barn still exists despite the apparent lack of maintenance.

Barn and house construction occurred around 1912 to 1915. Sometime in the 1950s the property was sold and left the family. John and his wife moved a few miles away to run a small rural grocery store.

Today the property owner utilizes the buildings and grounds to store equipment wherever there is space - like some sort of a farm implement bone yard. And, unfortunately on August 2, 2008 the home was destroyed by an arsonist, but other buildings on the property survived, including John's barn.

I have seen a few barns like John's with the detailed cupola, scalloped over hang, and roof line gingerbread in the immediate area. John was known to build a few barns locally. I have also seen a preserved grain crib attributed to him about a mile from this site. A cruise through the countryside will show how unique this barn design appears to be - certainly one that is worthy for inclusion in Barn Charm. Know that.

Here's Your Signal

2012-01-22T15:24:00.004-06:00

Above a former rail station (now a county museum) in Vinton, Iowa is this defunct signal system. I have no idea how this works or what information it was designed to convey. Maybe it signaled that the train was ready to depart from the depot.

The contraption's vibrant lenses show signs of being polished with a wax. Also, recently installed stainless steel bolts are visible on the yellow flag support. That means someone has made an effort to maintain or preserve this signal system.

Turned into a museum, the train station is still functional as a historic building, open by appointment. Perhaps some money and effort can be secured to properly return both the signal and station to its former condition. Future generations could then see how the early 20th century citizens moved from point to point. Know that.

Update: January 26, 2012 - A regular 42N reader from Missouri provided me with the name of the signalling device. Its called a semaphore. Here is an excellent site that explains U.S. railroad signals. Thank you G.

Dry Land for The Pearl Button

2012-01-15T22:56:00.000-06:00

River cruising season is long over for these continental mid-latitudes. This week's snow storm, the first of the 2011-12 winter, also ushered in frigid temperatures. One way to keep a boat from being crunched during winter's grip is to remove it from the freezing water. That is exactly what was done for Muscatine, Iowa's dinner cruiser, The Pearl Button.

Today the ship sits atop supports just a few feet from the Mississippi River. A glimpse at the river's edge reaffirms why The Pearl Button was hauled out of the water. Large jagged ice chunks pushed by a strong wind smacked into the shoreline. A season's worth of this action could smash a hull to bits.

This week's visits to America's river - once to Bellevue and today to Muscatine is pure magnetism. Being drawn to this famous river with it's symbolism, history and beauty continues. Its like a siren's call but without the red hair mermaid. Know that.

Channel Markers Guide Slush Towards New Orleans

2012-01-14T17:15:00.004-06:00

Ol' Man River usually runs a muddy color through the mid-latitudes of eastern Iowa. This week's reflection of light turned the river's usual brown waters a more pleasant blue. Accented by passing clear slush flows, the river on January 10th ran steadily southward with only a few small fishing boats about.

Channel markers light the way for sizable watercraft (barges) to locate the nine-foot deep area of the river's course. Good to know if I decide to take the Delta Queen or Robert E. Lee from 42N's Cedar River down to the Mississippi River junction at Toolsboro and then on to St. Louis and eventually New Orleans. Know that.

Mississippi River's Slush Floats Past Bellevue

2012-01-11T22:35:00.004-06:00

Yesterday with temperatures in the 50s, it was time for an afternoon road trip. My wheels aimed us to northeast Iowa and into the scenic driftless area. The 42N vehicle climbed a steep hill to get a bird's eye view of Bellevue, Iowa, revealing more of the statewide snowless condition.

That's the mighty Mississippi River flowing relatively ice free. See those ripples on the river above and below Lock and Dam No. 12? They are actually floating chunks of clear slush. Not quite icebergs. Iowa is on the left side of the river with Illinois on the right.

The late afternoon, low sun angle lighting was fantastic. Golden rays illuminated the area and the clear skies produced a deep blue color. No photo color enhancements were necessary to make this scene look good.

Tonight the first snowfall of the season is moving through and will bring up to 4 inches of snow to most of eastern Iowa including Bellevue. It was a nice winter (snow free) until now. Know that.

One Hundred Years of Keeping Things Safe

2012-01-10T09:27:00.002-06:00

The Farmers Savings Bank building in a 42N small town remains guarded by a silent sentry. Built a hundred years ago, the one story brick building, now empty, features an outdoor burglar alarm from the O.B. McClintock Company. While these boxes now sell from $300 - $700 to collectors the real value is in the alarm's upper design.

Note the row of vertical strips below the arch. There are twelve strips each side of the arch apex. I take that to represent the hours of the day. The pointed design below the strips looks to be stylized oak leaves which denote strength and security. Together the symbols made of now weathered copper suggest bank safety 24 hours a day. Must be something to that. This building and sign are still standing after a century. How alarming. Know that.

Bridging 2011 and 2012

2011-12-31T19:51:00.000-06:00

On the last day of 2011, snow remains non-existent in the local 42N area - but for how long? The new year for this longitude is about four hours away. Once crossing into the new year, like transversing this bridge, we have decisions to make for 2012. Let's hope they are as simple as taking the road to the right once over the span. Know that.

Sunnyside Barn

2011-12-28T16:59:00.001-06:00

So far the 2011-12 winter has produced zero snow fall at this location west of Norway, Iowa - the daily temperatures are too warm for snow. As this is being written the jet stream is probably maneuvering to bring some Pacific Canadian blast this way next week. That's okay because the 42N snow blower is ready.

This photo was snapped on Christmas Eve during a ride in the country to find interesting scenes. In addition to barns and windmills, the 42N photo staff clicked images of cattle - a subject that the youngest member now photographs professionally out West. Know that.

The Search for Iowa Arrowheads

2011-12-27T00:09:00.001-06:00

A new park in eastern Iowa has it all, high canyon walls, a river, caves and bountiful animals. With all of that in place including ample amounts of chert (flint,) hard rocks and minerals, one would think the discovery of native arrowheads would be higher than normal.

Well not so today. A look around on this gravel and sand bed on the river's bend resulted in zero spearpoints. So where are they? Any tips out there from arrowhead hunters as to where to look for the ancient artifacts in situations like this? Know that.

Iowa Native Beadwork Vest

2011-12-26T01:48:00.001-06:00

Museums showcase many things. In between the pottery, spear points and ceremonial pipes crafted by Iowa natives (Chippewa, Mesquakie and Ioway) is this portion of a vest. It is displayed at the University of Iowa's MacBride Hall Museum of Natural History among the shoes and other outer wear.

This section of the museum is easily overlooked by students because it does not compare to the replica giant sloth (named Rusty) or display of geologic fossils. However the vest is worthy of the same scrutiny of any piece of art. Look at the design and work effort required to assemble the vest. Rusty might be able to draw the crowds of kids, but the museum's diverse display of early Iowa culture will keep them coming back for decades. Know that.

Things from Christmas Past

2011-12-25T19:24:00.003-06:00

Take a stroll through Grapevine Antiques in Amana, Iowa during December and you will find lots of things that people once used to celebrate Christmas.

Large colorful lights once used to decorate indoor Christmas trees now fill a white porcelain pan. A box of red ball ornaments from the 1950s sits nearby.

A toy helicopter without its main rotor blade, stands out among the Santas, old tinsel and nativity scenes. This small item once symbolized fascination with the Santa delivery concept, the emergence of Rudolf, and an ideal of plentiful gift giving of a particular era. Today the copter with a few photographic modifications can still draw the imagination of a once small child. Know that.

Roll Out the Wagon

2011-12-22T17:38:00.000-06:00

In one of South Amana's town barns, next to the barn museum, sits this working wagon. Perhaps stereotypical of a journalist's recent essay. Know that.

Observations on Stephen Bloom's Essay

2011-12-16T22:20:00.013-06:00

Grain elevators near the Union Pacific rail lines at Norway, Iowa.

This week Stephen G. Bloom, a journalism professor at the University of Iowa published an essay in The Atlantic about his 20 years of living in Iowa. (Read his work here.) His essay is a raw look at the Hawkeye state as it nears the first in the nation presidential caucus season in a few weeks.

Many readers who live in the 42N tall corn state reacted predicatively with outrage. Outside of his right to publish his observations and being critical of his employer (the State of Iowa) there are other issues of balance and context that the author chose not to address.

Bloom, a transplant from New Jersey via San Francisco who landed in Iowa City, enjoys a tenured position at a state university. His essay in a popular culture online magazine is based on a negative image of Iowa and its residents. Are some things true in his observations? Yes. The state's small and aging population coupled with a rural heritage makes easy pickings for dissecting Iowa's current culture as compared to metropolitan living. In his article Iowa's attributes become the basis for why the 29th state to join the Union is allowed to play an important role in the selection of presidential candidates.

What's the difference between this Iowa hit piece from others? Simple, the timing in the publication is directed squarely at the caucus season. Every four years discussion about how this process is structured is vetted. This time it included slashes upon middle America. Secondly, the attitude of the writer is one of projected large city know it all versus the perceived agrian salt of the upper Midwest.

It would be easy to describe New Jersey or San Francisco in terms of deviancy, aloofness, counter culture and other criteria using Bloom's template. But that is not what Iowans or constructive writers do.

Look, each state or region of the country has good and bad issues with all sorts of things like the weather, employment, population, immigration, economy, quality of living, education, etc. But look around. We collectively have the best of many worlds right here in the USA. Sure Iowa is agriculturally based. We provide some of the best corn, soy beans, and livestock to feed the world. And our technology helps many non-farm businesses also from avionics to telecommunications to medical advancements.

Iowa has much more to offer, just like all other states. So what if our mid-continent, land locked state population isn't considered hip or cutting edge. Aren't we all in this together?

Iowans can take the criticism. Iowans can strive to fix what is broke. And, Iowans can highlight the positive qualities of living in such a great country.

For many, Professor Bloom's thought piece is a call to defend our freedoms and way of life between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Can we be better? Sure, that idea is what always made America strong.

Iowa's state motto is, "Our Liberties We Prize and Our Rights We Will Maintain." It is a concept relevant to Iowans and to all Americans. In under three weeks we will exercise our Liberty and select qualified candidates for the highest office in the government. Know that.

Hitchin' a Ride

2011-12-15T12:20:00.000-06:00

A horse is a horse of course unless its a hitching post. Check them out in South Amana. Know that.

Low Water Fishing at Iowa's Palisades State Park

2011-12-04T22:28:00.001-06:00

Late season fishing on the Cedar River within the Palisades State Park means fewer crowds, fewer bugs and sometimes lower water levels. These two anglers came up empty while I was visiting the sand bar.

A lower river level at the park means that the exposed dolomite walls can be more readily explored - if you can get across the river. Not many people can traverse the water from this vantage point so these small caves tend to be less disturbed.

On this day the progression of the Cedar's lowering water can be observed in a series of braided pebble debris and sand lines. Despite the lower water level rock hunters can find all sorts of chert, coral fossils, and glacial debris on the ever changing sand bars. Know that.

Corn Crib and Barn

2011-12-02T13:44:00.000-06:00

Near Ely, Iowa across from a public golf course is an old, but still active farm. On the property is a wooden barn and wire mesh corn crib. In the past, the cribs were used to dry and store corn. Modern versions of on property corn storage are generally large, round galvanized bins that sometimes have propane dryers attached. This particular farm didn't display any signs of livestock so the need to store grain on site may be moot. Know that.

Late Season Field Work Moves Along the Road

2011-12-01T18:08:00.000-06:00

Just ten days ago these scenes were typical of area rural roads around 42N country. I was going to use the intro, "You know you are in Iowa when you see..." but I'm guessing this happens all around the northern US and Canada while the weather is still good. What I observed on this day was a combination of corn harvest and distribution plus some field preparation for next season.

Obviously when tooling around in your latest version of the Model A, be on the lookout for these giant field machines. Sometimes a caravan of vehicles accompany these slow movers from one field to another. Usually the slow moving tractors don't travel long distances and will try to help you navigate around them. Field preparation and harvest season may be finished for the season with many fields cleared and snowy weather predicted soon. Know that.

Lisbon House Fire Contained By Multiple Community Firefighters

2011-11-19T16:48:00.003-06:00

Yesterday while in Mount Vernon, Iowa one, two, then three fire trucks rolled by. A few minutes later a fourth one sped off to the east towards Lisbon. Camera in hand, it was time to go to see what was happening.

Lisbon is located just a few miles east of Mount Vernon along the Lincoln Highway. Downtown was filled with smoke when we arrived. A house just a block south of Main Street was on fire.

We arrived on South Jackson Street to see several fire and rescue vehicles trying to contain a one house fire. Many people including some local firefighters from Lisbon were in transit to the UNI dome in Cedar Falls for their local high school football championship game.

As a precaution other town fire departments were recruited to fill in if needed. On this dry, cold and windy day the help was needed.

While the fire remains under investigation the newly remodeled section of the house was the area that received the most damage. The family was away from the home when fire broke out but were onsite during the emergency. Their pet dog did not survive.

Local media present at the scene included KGRG television and the Gazette. Watch and read more about the story here.

Firefighters from Lisbon, Mount Vernon, Mechanicsville and Solon were on the scene - and maybe more. The duration and characteristics of the fire meant that the fire personnel rotated in and out of the house, changed oxygen tanks often and answered to many chiefs. Their combined effort fortunately limited damage to one house. We as a society don't pay these firefighters enough to do what they do.

Soon after the fire was contained, the multiple town crews began to transition into a cleanup and monitor mode. This firefighter had his outfit sprayed to wash off blackened soot. Later in the afternoon the home was secured.

Having the camera present during various times allows for recording some great images. Sometimes the opportunities are simple, like photographing a dragonfly's wings, other times the subjects are more dramatic. Know that.

Decoding the Handshake Tombstone

2011-11-18T00:25:00.001-06:00

A weathered handshake symbol on a local 42N cemetery headstone is a fairly common site on older markers. This particular headstone is made of white marble and shows the effects from years of temperature extremes and freeze/thaw cycles - plus organic visitors. Granite seems to stand the test of time better than marble around here.

So what does the handshake symbol signify? Two answers. The first is the depiction of a greeting of the departed to a more heavenly existence. The other answer appears commonly when a married couple is buried together. Cuffs sometimes show masculine and feminine characteristics. There may be other answers. Let me know. Know that.

Swaying in the Autumn Winds

2011-11-17T00:08:00.000-06:00

At this time of the season in 42N latitudes, most leaves have fallen and many of the formerly green plants are now yellow or brown. Still there is beauty that can be found in the final phases of autumn. Here the tall grasses of a county fairgrounds sway in the breeze. We received the first snow of the season last week which later melted that day. Its surely a prelude of what's coming in the weeks ahead. Know that.

Military Artwork of American Legion Post No.137

2011-11-16T17:52:00.000-06:00

The American Legion Post in Dyersville, Iowa knows how to make use of space by creating an impactual message. On the roadside face of an ordinary building an artist has created elements of the American military in action from World Wars I & II, Korea and Vietnam. The unifying graphic theme is that of the foot soldier in each vignette with nods to the other branches of service. I believe the panels were started in 2008 with the WWII graphic (see story here.) After visiting the "Field of Dreams" movie site a few miles away come by the north end of town by following the railroad tracks. There you will find this one of kind mural. Know that.

Veterans Day 2011: Remembering Orian G. Owens

2011-11-11T00:02:00.006-06:00

Tech Sergeant Orian G. Owens, WWII

Veterans Day honors the fallen dead. Today the power of the Internet, firsthand research and a bit of luck brings into focus the story of a fallen vet from the 42N area.

Three weeks ago a stack of papers bought at auction in Coggon, Iowa yielded among other things, a small booklet called the Lisbon High School Alumni Directory 1880 – 1952. In the booklet are very brief updates of the then living or deceased high school classmates. I flipped through the pages, and stopped on one entry for the class of 1935. There among the time period of World War II was a six sentence description of a graduate who served in the Army Air Corps, was shot down, hid by the Belgium Underground and later shot by the Germans.

I was intrigued with this particular listing and went into research mode to find more information about Tech Sergeant Orian G. Owens and what happened to him. Here is his story for Veterans Day:

Following his Lisbon High School graduation in 1935 Orian George Owens (born Jan. 22, 1915), a farm boy, moved to the West Liberty, Iowa area in Muscatine County. Orian’s brother Harold graduated from Lisbon a few years later.

In 1942 Orian became one of 61 Muscatine county men who passed their physical examinations at the Camp Dodge (near Des Moines) induction center. On Aug. 27^th Orian left Muscatine for the U. S. army at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where he was assigned various duties.

Due to his farm machinery background Orian was assigned to the Army Air Corps and trained at the Shephard Field, California, Panama City, Florida and Salt Lake City, Utah. He became assigned to the 469^th Air Force Bomber Squadron at Dallas, Texas where he became a First Engineer and top turret gunner on a B-17F Bomber. During a training exercise the landing gear jammed and Orian had to squeeze himself through the wing to manually lower the gear.

After training, Orian was sent to England and based at Thurleigh. His B-17F (tail number 42-30782) Bomber was nicknamed, "Rationed Passion." On January 11, 1944 the plane was part of 663 heavy bombers of the 306^th Bomb Group. The target for Orian's tenth mission was a manufacturing plant in Halberstadt, Germany.

On the return trip, the plane was hit by flak and crashed in Holland. At that time the Germans occupied Holland, Belgium and France. Orian was injured when his parachute opened and then broke a rib upon hitting the frozen ground.

Orian and other crew members were picked up by the Dutch Resistance. Orian was hidden in a potato cellar with two other crew members. He was later escorted to various homes, barns and other shelters along with the other crew members. Still later the Dutch and Belgium Underground picked up the "Rationed Passion" crew and other downed airmen and moved them to the woods near Chimay and St. Remy, Belgium, close to the French border.

On January 28th the Muscatine newspaper reported that Orian’s father had received notice that Orian was declared missing in action. At this same time Orian’s brother Harold was a POW under Italian control.

The group of ten U.S. airmen, including Orian waited for conditions to improve for them to be moved to France, then Spain and finally England. In the mean time the Germans closed the routes and the ten airmen had to wait for new escape routes to be established. Two men decided to escape on their own and later were successful.

Orian’s group of eight airmen had just concluded breakfast at 8 AM on April 22, 1944 when the sound of rifle fire came nearby. Nearly 1500 German SS soldiers flooded the area looking for the protected airmen and members of the underground. Orian’s group left the wooded area and was taken into German custody in Chimay. They were interrogated, stripped of their dog tags, false papers and money. After a three hour interrogation the men were loaded onto a truck with guards and headed back to the woods.

Once in the woods the airmen were escorted by two German soldiers each to a certain spot where they were lined up with their hands tied behind their backs. Then the group was separated with each airmen going in a different direction with two soldiers. A signal was given and the Germans shot the airmen in the back of their heads. The bodies were buried in a mass grave near Gosserlie’s airfield. Much later the grave was discovered and the bodies were transported to the military cemetery in Margraten, the

Netherlands

The eight airmen killed that day were from three different aircraft.

George Eike, B-17G “Susan Ruth”, Rochester, NY

Robert Benniger, B-17G “Susan Ruth”, Pittsburgh, PA

John Pindroch, B-17G “Susan Ruth”, Cleveland, OH

Vincent Reese, B-17G “Women’s Home Companion”, Philadelphia, PA

Orian Owens, B-17F “Rationed Passion”, Lisbon, IA

John Gramborsky, B-17F “Rationed Passion”, Chicago, IL

Charlie Nichola, B-17F “Rationed Passion”, Stockton, CA

Billy Huisch, Douglas, AZ

Five months later, the U.S. Army declared Orian as Killed in Action since no one had seen him since the capture. Again his father, George received word of the matter from the War Department. Orian’s brother, Harold, once held as POW was able to escape and rejoin his unit after a 500 mile journey.

After the war, Belgian military authorities tried the main culprits who carried out what is now known as the Massacre of St. Remy. In 1947 four men were sentenced to death while another two served jail time as a result of their complicity in the matter.

The crash of Orian’s B-17 ten member bomber resulted in five KIAs, three POWs and two airmen who evaded capture. In 1948 Orian’s body and other fallen veterans was recovered from Margarten cemetery for transport back to the United States. Flag draped caskets, coming from the war theaters were brought to America at intervals throughout 1948. Last honors were accorded to the serviceman at funeral and burial rites. Final interment was in the cemetery chosen by his next of kin.

Orian’s father George requested that his son be buried next to his mother at a cemetery in Lisbon, Iowa. A military funeral for T/Sgt. Owens was held on November 4^th, 1948 at the Federated Church in Lisbon. Orian was awarded the Purple Heart, Air medal and the Oak Leaf Cluster posthumously.

The town of Lisbon continues to honor its war dead today. A new monument to the fallen veterans of Lisbon contains Orian’s name. Periodically the history center conducts cemetery walks called, “Walk Through the Past” so that stories like Orian’s continue to be told. Know that.

WWII Discharge Button

2011-11-10T11:35:00.002-06:00

During Veterans' Day week while researching a veteran's story I found this symbol that was used during World War II. Its called a Discharge Button. The button (or pin version) was issued to all honorably discharged American military personnel of World War II. The button was issued free of charge to the veteran upon discharge. If the button was lost or destroyed the veteran could purchase a replacement, at cost for seven cents, from the nearest Quartermaster Supply Officer upon presenting proper discharge papers. Today you can more commonly see symbol on metal plaques of American WWII veteran's graves. Know that.

Constellation of Amana Veteran Stars

2011-11-07T09:01:00.000-06:00

This week celebrates American veterans. Recently on a visit to a small eastern Iowa cemetery within the Amana Colonies, I discovered an assortment of metal grave markers depicting conflicts where Americans fought. This particular photo representation features the Civil War (Grand Army of the Republic), World War II (Indochina Theater) and Vietnam. Other metal markers for the Spanish-American War, World War I and Korea are also present. For such a very small cemetery, this mostly German immigrant region of Iowa substantially represented itself in all major conflicts of the mid-nineteenth and twentieth centuries. Their dedication to defend our country is an important tenant of who they were and of what we have become. Know that.

Salute to Iowa's Buffalo Heritage

2011-11-05T15:14:00.001-05:00

A staple of the prairie. American Bison roamed grasslands of the Midwest for years. Today bison herds can be found in Iowa at a few fenced ranches and zoos. This rusty sculpture located in the Amanas recalls the days when these large creatures roamed the endless grass prairies. Know that.

Eight Point Star Used in Iron and Wood Truss Bridge

2011-10-31T18:28:00.001-05:00

A well maintained county bridge in 42N country was recently reinforced with a few new planks of wood and tightened iron supports. A brilliant orange-red color was applied to the metal portions of the bridge without regard for masking resulting in overspray.

Along the outside of the truss supports are eight pointed star designs. Early astronomers used the eight points, like a compass to mark the four main directions and solstices. The symbol is also connected to ancient Middle East religions. So this bridge, built in the 1880s (old by Iowa standards) is accented architecturally with a symbol that has protected the structure for over a hundred years. Quite the accomplishment. Know that.

A Clear Cut Glass Mystery

2011-10-30T23:40:00.001-05:00

A fancy glass stopper fits this utilitarian bottle but whether the two match is a different question. Experts on Early American Pressed Glass will have to weigh in on this mystery. Maybe it is Iowa City glass, or Jamestown or even Corning? Maybe you know. Know that.

Breaking Prairie Sod in the Fall

2011-10-30T23:14:00.001-05:00

A common sight in past autumns was the cultivation of soybean or corn stubble after harvest. This was accomplished with disk cultivators (like this one) plowing the ground under with the organic material deposited a few inches below the surface while exposing new soil to air and water. Resultant organic recycling leads to a superior seed bed preparation with the side benefit of cleaner looking fields.

But in the late 1980s this practice was phased out for better methods of soil management. Up until that time precious topsoil was often eroded by wind or water which did no one any good. Today fields are generally chisel planted as to be minimally impactual on soil. However there are times when it is necessary to till, such as when soil compaction is discovered, for optimized planting.

These rusting disks show remnants of some of the best soil in America for grain production. Proper soil management is as important as the annual harvest itself. Many farmers already know that.

Harvest Done For Some

2011-10-25T00:34:00.001-05:00

The fall harvest of soy beans (left field) and corn (right field) is complete for some farmers along the 42N region - in this case near Mount Auburn, Iowa. Many grain farmers are working into the night to complete their harvest while conditions favor the movement of heavy machinery to and from fields without rain and mud delays. Other considerations for late night harvests are the availabilities of equipment (combines, grain trucks and crews.) With near perfect weather conditions in the region for several weeks now, storage bins are filling to capacity. Know that.

Changing Roles of Corn Cribs

2011-10-24T06:52:00.001-05:00

Use to be that a full corn crib was all you needed to feed livestock. Now shiney stainless steel bins dot the Iowa landscape in addition to conventional silos. During this harvest season much of the corn is either sold directly to market, stored on property for a later sale or stored for livestock feed. Corn cribs now are more likely to be used as equipment storage sheds rather than feed bunkers. Times have changed. Know that.

Field of Dreams: Post it and They Will Come

2011-10-23T23:05:00.000-05:00

The 1989 movie, The Field of Dreams starring Kevin Costner, James Earl Jones, Burt Lancaster and others was filmed in Iowa (also in Illinois and Massachusetts.) Just a few miles northeast of Dyersville, Iowa is the farm setting for the movie complete with baseball diamond, lights and of course the magical corn fields. Today the site was visited by the 42N team (our fifth or sixth) and a few photos were taken during a warm October day.

In the movie Ray (Kevin Costner) carves this heart into the top bleacher seat. Its still there 22 years later, weather beaten but still there.

People visiting the site today were from Iowa, Wisconsin and Minnesota. Visitors take to the field, hit a few balls and run the bases. But the big thrill for most is to walk through the gigantic corn stalks that ring the outfield, then try disappearing like in the movie.

The other big thing are hard core baseball fans paying homage to the field and movie. This NY Yankees fan was wondering around taking photos with his cell phone. Since I was there I offered to take his photo with his camera. Afterwards he sent them to his list of baseball buddies. Build it and they will come. How true it continues to be. Know that.

Payphone Watcher

2011-10-17T11:31:00.001-05:00

They are disappearing. Payphones, which were available everywhere a decade ago, are now almost gone. Replaced by cell phones, the humble payphone can still be found working in a few surprising places - like Amana, Iowa. Near the airport a working payphone, which might be the last one in the community, is now guarded by a squirrel. Go ahead and try making a 25 cent call. You might have your conversation monitored or head pounced on by the bushy tailed security. Know that.

Twilight Riverboat Recalls Olden Days on the Mississippi

2011-10-13T20:24:00.002-05:00

The riverboat, Twilight runs a two-day excursion out of Le Claire, Iowa to Dubuque and back. Along the way the boat passes upriver at Lock and Dam #12 at Bellevue. This was the site on Sunday, October 9th. Details of the cruise can be found here.

The 166 mile route is some of the prettiest scenery found anywhere on the Mississippi River. Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin's common borders lay within the Mississippi River's valley. Large hills on either side of the river can be readily seen. On this day note the past water level on the Dam's rocky support behind the Twilight. It appears to be down several feet.

As the Twilight travels north to the Port of Dubuque for an overnight stay at the Grand Harbor Resort, passengers soak up some the near 80 degree weather for mid October. Upon the return to the home port at Le Claire, be sure to stop at the American Pickers (The History Channel) shop just a few blocks away. At times Danielle can be found there setting up the next trip for Frank and Mike. Know that.

Checking Out Rock Staples

2011-10-12T18:50:00.003-05:00

Along the 42N latitude, river bridges built in the 1800s and early 1900s with stone supports had a problem; that being the destructive effects of the freeze thaw cycle, ice flows and floods. All of those forces could potentially weaken the stonework and eventually cause bridge failure. To counter the massive pressure on the stonework a simple solution was devised.

Large iron staples were pounded into the finished quarried support blocks. This helped to keep the orientation intact and resistant to outside pressure. Staple examples seen today at this former bridge site were garbled in various positions.

A newer bridge located just a few yards from this site consists of modern materials (steel, iron, concrete.) The former bridge's stonework has been re-purposed as river bank rip-rap.

At this location only three large staples examples were found in the large chiseled stones. Channel your inner King Arthur abilities to pull metal out of rock, otherwise there is no budging these stone staples as souvenirs. But then what would I do with them? Know that.

Colors of Autumn 2011

2011-10-10T19:47:00.000-05:00

Vibrant colors are not just reserved for fall foliage. Harvest equipment of all types, in this case soybean related, comes in a wide range of colors too. Absolutely perfect weather conditions for the past few weeks helped to finalize the bean harvest around these Midwest latitudes. Now on to the corn harvest. Know that.

Wide Body Over Iowa

2011-10-08T12:35:00.001-05:00

Along this portion of 42N many flyover routes line the sky. On clear days east-west air traffic can be observed mainly to the south of the 42N HQ location. A mid-continent navigation tower is located near Hills, Iowa which provides an electronic beacon for coast to coast travellers.

This large plane is southeast to northwest bound - maybe to Minneapolis or Seattle. Its distinctive four contrails alerted me as to this was no regional plane. Air controllers call these wide bodies. Any guesses as to what type of jet this is? Know that.

Shadow People Over Deer Creek

2011-10-07T09:46:00.000-05:00

About this time of year more ghost stories appear. One mention in many reports is about sightings of so called shadow people. These are roughly human shaped forms that appear and disappear, travel through walls and sometimes talk - or so say the reports. Some of these shadow people have been documented on television shows like Ghost Hunters and Ghost Adventures. I saw two shadow people in broad daylight overlooking Deer Creek. What a coincidence. Know that.

American Soy Bean Harvest is Underway

2011-10-06T00:26:00.000-05:00

October 2011 is providing perfect drying conditions throughout the upper Midwest. That means record soybean and corn crops are being harvested on schedule with a minimal of storage drying needed, if any.

Travel down most rural gravel roads in 42N country right now and you'll be treated to sights like this. Combine harvesters can also be seen on both gravel and hard surface roads traveling between fields. Be careful driving - farmers are doing their jobs, may be working late hours and are operating large, slow moving equipment. Know that.

Ruben Ely's Three Span Bridge

2011-10-05T00:31:00.001-05:00

Recently we found another surprise located in 42N country - a three span stone bridge. Located just west of Monticello, Iowa is this limestone constructed bridge which spans Deer Creek. Farmer Ruben Ely Sr. and son constructed the bridge in 1893 for about $455 using stone from quarries in nearby Anamosa, Iowa.

Ruben's grandson, Mark Bader helped make repairs on the bridge in 2003. The next year a concrete deck and steel guardrails were added for further stability and safety.

Running north and south, this unique bridge is only one lane wide. Obviously to survive not being demolished or widened for modern traffic suggests that the bridge is considered special. In 1979 the Ely bridge was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Know that.

Just Another Day, Just Another Model A

2011-10-04T19:30:00.006-05:00

So many Ford Model A cars have appeared throughout the 42N area all summer and now early fall. What's going on? Are we traveling more in Model A zones? Are new Model As being manufactured and flooding the market? More likely is the explaination that a 1930s time portal has wormholed itself into 42N country. I'll go with that theory. Know that.

What's Next?

2011-10-04T09:44:00.000-05:00

Got my beer. Got my hat. Got this Nebraska Huskers emblem around my neck. Two out of three ain't bad. Know that.

Edelweiss at Amana's Oktoberfest 2011

2011-10-03T00:02:00.002-05:00

Barefoot Becky and the Ivanhoe Dutchmen belt out the tune, 'Edelweiss' at the 2011 Amana Oktoberfest. Lots of brats and beer flowed during the three day celebration of all things German. (Ok, I realize that the song, 'Edelweiss' was written as an Austria tribute song from the Sound of Music. But people associate the tune with German fests too.)

The Amana Colonies, as they were once called, were founded and populated by Germans during the 1800s who came to Iowa to worship as they wished. They lived for a while as a communal society but abandoned much of that after a few years.

This year's weather was perfect for the celebration and helped to draw thousands of people to Amana on Friday night through Sunday. If you left hungry or parched you weren't trying hard enough to celebrate. Know that.

Did You Ever Have To Make Up Your Mind?

2011-10-02T18:59:00.001-05:00

Locally around 42N the college sports are dominated by Big 10, Big 12 and Mid America Conference schools - like Iowa, Iowa State, Drake and University of Northern Iowa. Today one visitor showed his pride by displaying everyones' school logo. This tactic means equal support for all teams and therefore could not be seen as biased. That idea works fine unless your travels take you into the PAC 10, SEC or Atlantic Coast Conference regions. Then again the car has many more available surfaces for other team logos. Know that.

Golden Rays on the Wapsi

2011-09-27T11:34:00.000-05:00

Many of the 42N area rivers are chocolate brown colored waterways due to their course through richly organic soils and minimal rocky substrates. Late afternoon sunshine adds a golden hue to the Wapsipinicon River as it swirls around a bend. Know that.

Did NASA's UARS Satellite Crash Along 42N?

2011-09-25T21:51:00.000-05:00

Between Friday night and Saturday, did the failing UARS satellite impact terraferma? Somewhere between 57 degrees north and south of the equator, the 6-ton defunct satellite was expected to fall from orbit. Some heavier satellite parts were expected to survive the heated plunge.

While the world waits for visual, radar and other reports of the plunge, this cratered depression was found today near the 42N town of Toronto, Iowa. It has all the elements of a fallen satellite impact; charred pieces of organic material, roughly circular shaped depression, ejecta lines and various deposits of melted metal. Seems to add up to a UARS impact.

Then again, take a closer look. Turns out this is a campfire pit with burnt wood and a melted aluminum can. No UARS here but it got you to look. Know that.

Summer 2011 Gone

2011-09-22T21:55:00.000-05:00

Along this latitude, 42N, summer has been near perfect. Some rain, a few storms, some cold and a lot of heat. Its all you can ask for in the Hawkeye state. Now on to the equinox tomorrow. Know that.

Black and Yellow

2011-09-22T09:36:00.000-05:00

Bees are buzzing. Last week this bee hunted pollen in the flowers around Amana, Iowa. This week sweat bees hunted me. Not even OFF or Absorbine Jr. helped. Still, with all the talk of bees disappearing it was a good site to see - for a while. Know that.

I Only Have Green Eyes for You

2011-09-21T00:34:00.002-05:00

Just a few days remain before Fall begins. Along the 42N latitude last week the Midwest experienced a sudden dive to cold and frost. This week brought back warm temperatures and with it, all sorts of flying creatures. Today I spotted this green-eyed white butterfly searching for food in late season blooming flowers. Among the other flying creatures spotted were sweat bees, biting flies and a turkey vulture. Know that.

Rock Island Line is a Mighty Good Road

2011-09-20T00:20:00.001-05:00

Epworth, Iowa is the site of a small park that offers something from the last century - a train caboose. This one is from the Rock Island railroad which probably passed through this small community in northeast Iowa. In the 1930s a song about the rail line was composed and sung by inmates from the Arkansas State Prison. In the 1950s a re-worked version of the song became a hit for several musicians on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Still, the line is the road to ride. Know that.

Cycles of Time

2011-09-19T00:34:00.003-05:00

End of summer. End of day. Crops mature. A weather worn farm building near Hennen Lake and Blairstown, Iowa remains standing. Know that.

East Amana Rustic Barn

2011-09-18T18:35:00.008-05:00

Iowa's top destination location are the Amana Colonies. Formerly a collective of agricultural operations, today it is a series of small villages that hold on to the old look and charm, deliver great German food and local beer, produce famous furniture and wool items, and offer several antique stores. Here in East Amana is this old dairy or horse barn. The structure is quite large but is still in use. It is one of the few area barns that hasn't installed a new metal roof like so many have in the past 15 years. Come see it when you visit Main Amana for Oktoberfest in a few weeks (Sept. 30 - Oct. 2.) Bring your thirst too. Know that.

On Top of Belle Plaine's Jumbo Well

2011-09-18T00:01:00.018-05:00

Take a look at these smiling boys. They stand on a monument to a monster that still lurks below the city's surface. In 1886, at the intersection of 8th Avenue and 8th Street, in 42N's Belle Plaine, Iowa, a water well drilling crew tapped into a forceful artesan well. The Iowa River aquifer sent some 30,000 to 50,000 gallons per minute into the air along with 500 to 1000 railroad cars of sand downstream and chunks of petrified wood. News of the well spread quickly around the world. It became known as the Jumbo Well, the eighth natural wonder of the world!

Thirteen months after the tapping of the ancient aquifer, the flow was finally capped with pipes and tons of concrete. Almost a hundred years later a geologic crew retapped this location to survey the current underground situation. While the recapping only took hours, the project manager commented that they were five minutes away from making Good Morning America.

This afternoon these boys helped identify the actual site of the well (mid-intersection at 8th and 8th.) The young Belle Plainians were very much aware of old Jumbo. The orange shirt boy already studied Jumbo in class, and claimed that he knew all about it. Know that.

Classic Chrome Hood Ornament

2011-09-17T03:58:00.002-05:00

This summer has afforded seemingly endless opportunities to observe vintage cars. One example at the 2011 Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa over the Labor Day weekend showcased early to mid-century cars among all the farm machinery. At a certain red, old time car, a few people busily photographed this classic design hood ornament. I decided to get in on the action and took this closeup image. Several other people waited to take photos of the winged chrome ornament and car after I was done. Too bad that I did not record the year and make of the vehicle. Who knows this may be a famous one of a kind. Now you've seen it too. Know that.

Haying Time in Iowa

2011-09-16T01:45:00.000-05:00

In northeast Iowa's driftless valleys, conditions were right last weekend for farmers to make hay as the saying goes. This farm uses a square baler while other models can produce the much larger round bales. Frost is possible later this week and will make production of another round of hay less likely. Know that.

2011 Old Threshers Reunion - Part III

2011-09-15T00:08:00.001-05:00

Lots of heavy machinery paraded before the grandstand at the 2011 Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa over the Labor Day weekend. This bad boy made a lot of noise from steam valves and a whistle. The farm field behemoth is basically a boiler on wheels.

Families of tractor owners rode along on these well maintained working machines of days long gone. The kids seemed to enjoy the parade as much as their parents.

The old tractors certainly have a lot of charm, retrospectively speaking. However, look at the open gears, hot boiler accesses, chains links and other hazards on these machines. Its a wonder that anyone survived with all their limbs and various digits in place. Know that.

Late Summer Rays on the Pools of the Mississippi River

2011-09-14T13:19:00.002-05:00

At Bellevue, Iowa the late summer sunshine is enough to get people outside to enjoy the weather and the beauty of the Mississippi River. This pontoon boat eased upriver and passed a sunbather just south of Lock and Dam No. 12. Notice how high the roller gates are positioned on the dam. The river's current level is low so the dam's gates are pulled up to allow more water downriver. The lock, off to the left hand side of the dam, was being filled upriver by a tow and its barges. Navigation pool 12 runs from here north to Dubuque, Iowa. Pool 13 (where the pontoon and sunbather enjoy the water) is defined by the water south of this dam all the way to the dam at Clinton, Iowa. Know that.

2011 Old Threshers Reunion - Part II

2011-09-14T00:09:00.002-05:00

At the Old Threshers Reunion on Labor Day weekend, there is an emphasis on the progression of labor saving machinery. To start things off there is a parade of animal power as it applies to farm work. Here a team of large horses are prepared to pull a wagon before the parade begins.

The team winds up pulling a wooden school bus wagon that was actually used in the Mt. Pleasant area around 1915. Its a far cry from the modern Bluebird yellow school buses that are made nearby.

One of the trainers takes her horse back to the stable. The powerful horse demonstrated how walking in a circle while tethered to a hay bailer automated some of the intensive laborious process back in the day.

In the twentieth century, horse power eventually yielded to steam and gas powered tractors. Some area Amish farmers still use horses to work their land. Other farmers do the same on smaller scales or keep horses for events such as the Old Threshers Reunion. Know that.

2011 Old Threshers Reunion - Part I

2011-09-13T21:26:00.000-05:00

For decades the Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa has celebrated machinery, animals and people. The three day exhibition runs like a mini state fair complete with food on a stick, named music acts, machinery and process demonstration, and a parade of progress as viewed from the grandstand.

Old and young come to the Labor Day weekend event - many are from machinery or agriculture backgrounds. Plenty of people from all walks of life came out to just enjoy the day.

Food and beverage vendors did quite well this Sunday before Labor Day as the weather was perfect to watch over a hundred years of farm machinery, from steam to gas, pass by the grandstand.

Proud owners of life size and scale model engines took time to explain what their machine did, how it ran, and how they became interested in motor ownership and maintenance. This owner explained how the wide belt running off this motor was used to calibrate the equipment for various loads.

What is a fair without an artist drawing funny faces of the kiddies? This girl tried to sit still while her brother attempted to annoy her. Sound familiar?

While powered machinery helped ease the amount of labor on the farm, it also meant that the operator had additional chores to fill the gap. Early models like this gas powered tractor required big muscles to steer since all the motor generated horsepower went into rotating a flywheel or pulling things rather than into steering.

At the end of the day the reunion is a celebration of the machinery and people who help put food on our tables from these mid-northern latitudes. Know that.

Psst, Hey Buddy. Do Ya Wanna Buy a Model A?

2011-09-07T23:11:00.000-05:00

So you want to get into the old car restoration business? Here's your chance. A 1929 Model A frame and a few parts for only $6250. Cheap right? Think again. You have to sink in a bunch to upgrade the frame, refurbish the engine and re-do the interior. You may be dishing out wads of sawbacks to get that authentic late 1920s look on the road.

Its a dream a lot of people have. Buy a car in sore need of restoration and then spend years getting the auto ready for summer parades and display. The quickest way of course is to buy a restored Model A and just maintain it until something else catches your eye - like a 1955 Chevy. Know that.

Elements of Disappearing Farm Structures

2011-08-29T20:25:00.000-05:00

Visit any 42N area farm (just west of Fairfax, Iowa in this case) and you might see buildings or equipment in various stages of condition. Some may be well preserved while others are out of commission and even disappearing.

First off, the brick silo out building is somewhat rare in that many have already disappeared and are no longer being built. The white barn seen in the background sports a white metal roof. Many local farmers began replacing their barn's traditional shingles and wood exterior with easy to install and maintain metal in the 1990s. In many instances metal materials were placed over the existing wooden counterpart.

Lastly, notice the support for an old fashion windmill. Many windmills are missing parts and very few of them still turn, let alone actually pump water or provide electricity. There are exceptions to these disappearing structures but the trend is certainly to remove rather than replace.

When passing by these structures take a second or two to study the layout of the farm and consider how they functioned while new. Know that.

A View of Iowa's Upper Mississippi Valley

2011-08-29T19:34:00.000-05:00

Check it. The Mississippi River carved its way through soluble limestone and dolomite with assistance from periodic glacial forces. Today's result is a broad valley between Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois in the upper segment of America's river.

This view looks east from atop the Balltown ridge (north of Dubuque) and overlooks farmland, the Mississippi river and the cliffs of Wisconsin - although just the farmland is visible here. The 2011 corn crop looks in fine shape from this advantage point.

Another farm visible from this lookout is a grain operation and cattle lot. All of this great scenery can be experienced at Balltown, Iowa. While there be sure to stop at what was Iowa's oldest restaurant - Breitbach's Country Dining. It was destroyed twice in separate fires but came back each time to again serve German-style food. Our captive people viewing the valley (above) had just finished their Sunday dinner and visited the overlook, a block from Breitbach's. Know that.

2011 Quad Cities Air Show - Part 3

2011-08-28T00:12:00.001-05:00

The recent tragic death of an airshow stunt flyer who fell trying to reach a helicopter from a biplane reminded me that I had these remaining images to post from June's Quad Cities Air Show. In June this guy successfully made it from the Stearman biplane to the helicopter.

The support plane for the Navy's Blue Angles is this C-130 Hercules. The plane demonstrated low passes for the crowd like those used in real combat situations. The plane also showed how it could land very quickly using lots of flaps, powerful reverse thrust and maybe someone standing on the brakes. This demonstration alone was a crowd pleaser.

The highlight of the June show was the performance by the Blue Angels. They made several passes in formation, flew upside down, demonstrated vertical thrust and a variety of other aerial wonders.

While this day was dominated by a cloud cover it turned out to be a positive advantage for the crowd. The at times dark sky provided a dramatic background for the oncoming Blue Angels with full smoke on.

The show ended soon after this spectacular blooming pass. I don't know the correct air show name for the maneuver but it certainly wowed the crowd. Next came the show's lowlight - a one hour and 15 minute crawl in the car inching out of the parking area - but it was worth it. Parts 1 and 2 of this series can be found here and here. Know that.

A Drink with a Scandinavian Girl

2011-08-27T10:12:00.000-05:00

She peers through a window with a decanter and glasses nearby. What's on her mind? Find out for yourself. This wintry Scandinavian girl can be yours for $2,000 in all her white marble glory at an antique store in Mt Vernon, Iowa. Know that.

Merlin's Pointing of the Pine

2011-08-24T14:30:00.000-05:00

We are about one month away from the autumnal equinox. Therefore the setting sun on this August day casts a shadow slightly to the southeast on late afternoon objects in 42N country. I suspect the pointy finger is a manifest of Merlin himself indicating where his protégé, Vivien has barricaded him in the twelfth century - or so says the legends of King Arthur (my current reading material.) Know that.

Ford Model A Day in Amana, Iowa

2011-08-23T15:19:00.001-05:00

Amana is one of Iowa's top tourist destinations. Last Saturday the third annual Ford Model A exhibit included car clubs and individual owners who proudly displayed their working vehicles from the late 1920s to the early 1930s. One owner honked his Ahooga horn for me to make it an offical visit.

102 Model A cars registered for this static display along with a few Model Ts and early working trucks. Participation is up from 98 cars last year so the event is drawing increasing numbers of vintage cars despite the recession. Many Model A cars are from central and eastern Iowa plus a few from the Quad Cities area and western Illinois.

Car owners came over for the day, parked their vehicle and then shopped in the many Amana stores. At 3 PM the owners started their eighty year old cars and headed home. I followed one Ford for a while and discovered that Model A cars just didn't go too fast - maybe that's why they survive.

Another highlight of the vehicle get together was a fashion show of Model A era clothing (some real, some a reproduction.) After the models started stopping for me to photograph them individually I felt as if I had to accommodate each one, eventually I slipped away at a convenient break in the action. They probably thought I was from the local paper or Elle magazine. Know that.

DX Sold Gas at $1.35 per Gallon

2011-08-17T01:04:00.001-05:00

Today's gas price around 42N country is $3.48 per gallon. Back in the day when DX stations flowed petro from her pumps the price per gallon was much cheaper.

In Oxford Junction, Iowa at the preserved DX gas station, two fuel pumps are still visible with pricing. The cost to fuel your vehicle before DX closed its doors was $1.35 per gallon - that is almost two-thirds less than today's price!

Don't try to pump any old gas from these two pumps. Their handles have been removed - and besides there is no debit card swipe to activate the pump. Times have changed. Know that.

USAF 80001 Parked at Cedar Rapids Airport (CID)

2011-08-16T18:03:00.002-05:00

While the President tours Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois by bus this week on a political speech trip, his support entourage is in the 42N area. Air Force One, the plane that the president generally uses is probably much closer to his overnight bus stops. However, here in Cedar Rapids this plane is parked at the Eastern Iowa Airport (CID.)

The aircraft with tail number 80001 is most likely a presidential or VIP backup transport should it be needed.

The "United States of America" 80001 is currently parked at the PS Air terminal. Given that the presidential election cycle is upon us, CID can expect to see this vehicle, Air Force One and a number of executive jet charters visiting eastern Iowa in advance of the first in the nation caucuses. Know that.

Wings Over Iowa

2011-08-15T13:09:00.002-05:00

Just when you think that every interesting thing at a particular location has been photographed comes something extraordinary. Within a span of a few minutes a dragon fly and a butterfly came into view for a late afternoon rest near a small lake in extreme southeast Iowa.

Each photo was taken at the minimum focal length of six feet from the subject. For some reason the winged creatures didn't seem fazed by my close proximity at the Shimek State Forest. Both insects stood by while twenty some photos were taken of each to be further edited down to the two best. Know that.

Yukon to Florida Via Oxford Junction, Iowa

2011-08-10T09:45:00.000-05:00

A visitor to Oxford Junction, Iowa on Sunday, August 7th stopped briefly to look for a meal. I was in town to photograph more of the preserved DX gas station (just out of frame - see it here.) I didn't get his name but he is a recently retired physical education teacher who is bicycling from a small town in the Canadian Yukon, near Alaska to Sarasota, Florida. He has been on the road exactly two months and expects to be so for another month.

Oxford Junction, a very small town in eastern Iowa only had one place open for dinner on Sunday. That facility turned out to be a seniors center which unfortunately could not accommodate the international traveler.

The man told me that it was no big deal about the lack of open restaurants. "I'll find one in the next town," he told me. His target for the day was Muscatine, Iowa which is on the Mississippi River. He told me that he is from Austria and will fly there once he gets to Florida. He thought this was a great way to start retirement. Can't argue with that. Know that.

Pere Marquette Guided Through Mississippi River's Lock & Dam 10

2011-08-04T11:04:00.001-05:00

Last weekend the temperature and humidity level reached the same number in the mid-90s. Flash floods of northeast Iowa including the Mississippi River valley resulted in a three foot rise in the nation's waterway. As a result Lock & Dam Number 10 (at Guttenberg, Iowa) was opened to allow the swollen river to flow more quickly. On Sunday, Marquette Transportation's 4610 horsepowered Pere Marquette guided a six barg tow downriver towards the lock.

A guide vessel met the Pere Marquette on the lock approach, positioned itself to the port side bow and helped the long assembly through the ungated portion of the lock system.

I have never seen this maneuver before and suspect it is a normal procedure for high water conditions. Otherwise the barges are disconnected, towed into the lock, water levels are drained, gates open and the barges are towed to a staging area while the tow returns for the other upriver barges. Its a long process to complete so I suspect the Pere Marquette's pilot was happy to save several hours of lock time by doing the go-around. Know that.

Lock & Dam 10 Open for Business

2011-08-02T11:06:00.000-05:00

High water on the upper Mississippi River activates flood control measures. This past weekend at Guttenberg, Iowa (42.785N 91.101W) the lock and dam system was locked in the wide open position - meaning that the dam portion of the control lifted its flood gates to let the maximum amount of water pass down river. When the gates are lowered the system produces a large river pool so that navigable traffic may pass. Last week's 8 - 14 inches of rain which fell in NE Iowa produced among other things, a three foot rise in the river. By the way that's Wisconsin on the far side of the river - the land of beer and cheese. Know that.

Cruising the River in a 1963 Corvette

2011-07-31T22:39:00.003-05:00

Weekends in 42N country include an age old custom - cruising in your best car. This 1963 Chevrolet Corvette has had one owner and is in near mint condition. The light blue colored sweetie was seen resting along the Mississippi River at Guttenberg, Iowa this weekend. Its owner says that he usually tells women that he was born in 1963 just like the year of the car. They usually laugh and say that he is 63 years old. He laughs back. In any event he has a beautiful car that cruises every May - November to avoid winter salt. Know that.

Crop Dusting Near Amana, Iowa

2011-07-30T13:30:00.001-05:00

July is crop dusting (or spraying) time in Iowa. Here in Amana, the grass strip airfield hosts a couple of sprayers from various parts of the country. Pilots and planes are rented by farmers to deliver bug management applications on grain crops in these latitudes. Then the pilots move on to other jobs in the area or region. The pilot's skills are airshow worthy, dangerous and fun to watch. On this particular occasion the pilot tested some fix to his plane before filling up with spray and flying to the job. Know that.

Once Upon Somebody's Home

2011-07-25T21:25:00.003-05:00

On the road from Central City, Iowa take the road southeast to Waubeek. Here you will discover this framed farm house circa 1880s. Looks like the current landowners stay next door in a brick home but preserve this structure, although barely.

The north facing porch vaguely resembles the home that Iowa native Grant Wood painted in the American Gothic scene. That famous home is located in southeast Iowa some eighty miles away near Eldon.

Still, you can imagine that this rural Central City house was once brand new over a hundred years ago, perhaps occupied by a farm family and flourished for many generations. It was once somebody's home. Know that.

Goose Neck Corn

2011-07-22T10:54:00.000-05:00

Last week's severe wind storm (July 11th) produced damage to buildings and crops in northern sections of Linn and Benton counties of eastern Iowa. Wind can cause corn stalks to bend close to the ground. When the stalks re-right themselves, the resultant shape looks like a goose neck. Many times this condition is found along roads or open areas where the wind can blow on unprotected stalks.

These particular stalks look to be fine. Other stands we observed last weekend were more severely deformed. Some stands were already chopped by farmers for silage. Know that.

Clydesdales Parade through Czech Village

2011-07-20T22:12:00.001-05:00

The Budweiser Clydesdales return to Cedar Rapids, Iowa after nearly 30 years. This time the six horse team pulled the King of Beers wagon through Czech Village, across the Cedar River and finally stopping at the new restaurant, Capones.

Hundreds of people lined the nearly 100 degree street to witness the brief parade. Hey, what else do we have to do in this hot and humid summer weather?

Bennie, an eight-month old Mountain something breed was the hit of the pre-parade. He made friends quickly and did not harass the horses.

At the end of the parade, a special clean-up vehicle made frequent stops to keep Czech Village tidy. Had the tavern owners along this street obtained permission to sell beer outside, the weather and the horses would have made the case an easy sell. Know that.

Iowa Braille School Damaged During Wind Storm

2011-07-20T00:14:00.002-05:00

Iowa Braille School in Vinton, Iowa lost a portion of its roof and many trees during the severe wind storm on July 11, 2011. Six days later the 42N crew observed utility crews restoring power and construction teams stabilizing the structure. The entire town is in much of the same condition.

The school for students who are legally blind provides housing, skill development, educational training, and other services. Perhaps its most famous student was Mary Amelia Ingalls, sister of Little House on the Prairie author Laura Ingalls Wilder. In her books Laura writes of Ma and Pa taking Mary by rail from De Smet to Vinton where she learned how to be productive without her sight. Know that.

Corn Crop Continues Growth at Sand Springs, Iowa

2011-07-19T02:22:00.002-05:00

So far so good during this growing season. At Sand Springs, Iowa, hay is mowed and corn is looking pretty good at 5 - 6 feet tall to date this growing season. Blue American Harvester silos were generally put in place around the 1950s and 60s throughout the region. While the wire-bound concrete silos were built in the 1940s.

Another common sight in 42N country are seed corn signs like this one near Hopkinton, Iowa. Pioneer Hi-Bred International is one of the largest brands in the Midwest. Signs are placed along roadsides to show potential customers that this field is doing just fine by the genetics of this seed company. Although mostly made of plastic now, older versions of these seed signs were made of metal and are quite collectible, like gas or oil company signs. Know that.

2011-07-18T16:03:00.001-05:00

A week ago on July 11th severe straight line winds damaged portions of Iowa's Marshall, Tama, Benton and northern Linn counties. Wind speeds researched 135 mph for a short time. Overall damage consisted of uprooted trees, destroyed grain bins, downed power lines and damaged homes. During a short drive to Vinton, Iowa the 42N photography staff took images of what the area looks like almost a week after the early morning storm hit.

A few blocks south of the downtown area in Vinton are large ornate homes over a hundred years old. Many of these homes experienced damage from the winds. Century old trees were also toppled. A radio report pointed out that nearly 50 percent of Vinton's trees were destroyed.

In Dysart, Iowa farmers burned debris damage. This particular farm sustained heavy damage to its bins, barns and out buildings.

Aside from seeing metal fragments of grain bins scattered in open fields like downed satellites, there was this site of round hay bales resting in the road ditches. Very unusual.

In Garrison, Iowa the local library sustained loss of their roof and second floor. What a mess. Corn crops showed signs of wind damage and some were re-straightening themselves with a bend at the base - something that is called "goose necking" by farmers. It will take months to clean and restore structures from the damage. Hopefully the bins can be restored before the fall harvest in a few months. Know that.

1990: Hello People of Iowa from Paul McCartney

2011-07-18T00:01:00.004-05:00

Twenty-one years ago today the 42N staff sat in Cyclone Stadium in Ames, Iowa to hear legend Paul McCartney and his band sing for 2-1/2 hours. This clip is from the opening set of the concert. Paul and his 1990's band are clad in those beige suit jackets reminiscent of Paul's Shea Stadium concert with his other band back in the 1960s. Like any good Iowa summer night the humidity was high and so was the temperature (and probably a lot of fans.) The jackets came off fairly soon after this song as this was the media allowed set - got to look good for the cameras.

Twenty-one years later Paul is touring the USA this summer to these venues - know that:

Sunday 24th July 2011 - Comerica Park, Detroit, USA
Tuesday 26th July - Bell Centre, Montreal, Canada
Wednesday 27th July - Bell Centre, Montreal, Canada
Sunday 31st July 2011 - Wrigley Field, Chicago, USA
Monday 1st August 2011 - Wrigley Field, Chicago, USA
Thursday 4th August 2011 - The Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, USA

Stepping in Class on the Mississippi

2011-07-17T00:01:00.006-05:00

During last Saturday in Clinton, Iowa, a country-themed wedding took place. Part of the event featured a photoshoot along the Mississippi River levee. While I was there to photograph interesting river traffic, the wedding party assembled near where I was stationed - must be a popular spot. From there I took a few photos of the approaching party before the professional showed up. I think mine turned out better. Know that.

Raise Your Hand if You Like Baseball

2011-07-16T02:45:00.002-05:00

The debate continues about whether baseball is still America's past time. I heard the topic repeated today on sports radio. Some say football has replaced baseball. In fact this week's All Star Game received the lowest television ratings ever - beating last year's record low and refueling the debate. In the end its all entertainment either way. For the most part the chance to watch a team or player compete in any sport, especially if you are a fan, is a great way to be part of a community while living the wins and forgetting losses. Besides if you have any really old sports equipment you may make a few bucks by selling them off. Know that.

Ain't She Sweet

2011-07-15T00:34:00.002-05:00

You all know those horror movies where the camera pans through a nighttime bedroom of a child. All is quiet. Then the camera pans over to the toys where you see various playthings including dolls, all quite still.

The predictable screenplay then shows a doll or dolls glancing in various directions. Then...one doll's head turns around or her eyes open. By this time the viewer is ducking or turning away from the screen anticipating what pending horror is next.

None of the previous happen during this doll shoot. It was just an interesting collection of the same sized dolls, all facing the different directions. Did you see that one just turn? Know that.

A Glance at the Past

2011-07-14T01:38:00.000-05:00

Welcome to the world of 3D as seen a hundred years ago. This device which can be bought on the street for $80 (more or less) lets you see a postcard image of a scene from two slightly different angles. The result is a 3D view of the world in the early part of the Twentieth century. Many scenes were of far off lands, some scenes were religious in nature while other images were of then famous people. Imagine seeing Howard Taft or Teddy Roosevelt in 3D. Whatever. Stereo images are highly collectible as is the viewer. While the images are not animated, the sensation that you will receive when viewing is one of being present in a scene from another time. Know that.

Ashokan Farewell Played in Mount Vernon, Iowa

2011-07-13T14:27:00.003-05:00

The theme song from the 1990 PBS television show, The Civil War called, Ashokan Farewell is played by entertainers at the Mount Vernon, Iowa Antique Fair a few weeks ago on July 4th. A crowd gathered around to hear them play the hauntingly beautiful theme, then curiously dispersed. Perhaps it was the effects of the sun or the time of day, but people only stood long enough to hear the familiar song and not for the less known tunes that followed. Know that.

Prepared for Mechanical Failure

2011-07-13T13:24:00.000-05:00

At the Monticello, Iowa fly-In last Sunday a pilot hand starts his plane to leave the airport before a line of thunderstorms rolls through. He is wearing a blue parachute harness as a precaution to inflight equipment failure. A few minutes later he departed without issue ahead of the rain. Hopefully the pilot and plane will return to next year's breakfast fly-in. Know that.

Gitmo Bay's AT-6C Texan Displayed at Monticello Fly-In

2011-07-12T10:12:00.001-05:00

At the Monticello, Iowa Fly-In this past Sunday was this AT-6C "Texan" aircraft with US Navy markings. Built in 1944 this particular plane served with the VC-10 attack squadron located at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. In a couple of weeks the trainer will be in Dubuque, Iowa with other AT-6s before heading to Oshkosh, Wisconsin for the big EAA show. Know that.

Of Mice and the Moon

2011-07-09T22:45:00.002-05:00

A waxing Moon rose this afternoon which coincided with my discovery of this article from the Clinton Morning Age, Clinton, Iowa, March 4, 1904:

"A curious Indian legend was told to some people in Omaha by a full blooded Sioux who lived at the Pine Ridge agency.

He said the belief was that every time a new moon appeared it was a signal for all the mice in the country to gather themselves together in one spot. When they assembled they then separated into four great armies. One army went to the north, another to the south, a third to the east and a fourth to the west. These armies of mice traveled until they reached the point where from the place of starting the heavens seemed to touch the earth. Then they climbed up the sky until they came to the moon, which, by this time was full.

All of the four armies then commenced nibbling Luna, and when they had eaten her all up the mice would scamper back down the heavens to the earth and wait for her to show herself again, when the journey and the nibbling would be repeated by the mice, and this is what the Indians of early days believed was the cause of the moon growing old and finally disappearing." Know that.

2011 Independence Day - Mount Vernon, Iowa

2011-07-04T16:14:00.000-05:00

A shop owner proudly displays Old Glory draped on lattice board and backlit by the sun in Mount Vernon, Iowa. Happy Fourth of July USA. We are 235 years old today. Know that.

Pasture Drama for a Little Calf

2011-06-30T10:29:00.004-05:00

Last evening in a pasture near Coggon, Iowa a small herd of cattle grazed on late June grasses surrounded by corn fields. This little calf (center) walked away from its mother (right) near this spot. The curious calf jumped up and ran around in circles eventually flushing a nesting red-winged blackbird. Being very territorial, the bird swooped and started harassing the calf. The calf ran away and began to cry out, baaaa-maaaa. "Mom" hurried over and stared down the drive-bombing bird while the calf nestled next to mom's protective cover. After the bird flew off, the brave calf emerged and reclaimed his hard won pasture spot. Know that.

2011 Quad Cities Air Show - Part 2

2011-06-22T18:32:00.001-05:00

The Quad Cities Air Show held in Davenport, Iowa last weekend included a variety of aircraft and flight performances. Precision parachuters battled moderate winds on Saturday. Their skills enabled the team to land on target.

The Lucas Oil barnstormer made incredible turns, stalls and dives. And like many of the performers did so with a trail of smoke to highlight the flight characteristics.

A rare jet assisted glider also wowed the crowd with its graceful climbs and dives performed much slower than its propeller counterparts. The jet engine was not engaged during loops and drives but turned on to regain airspeed for the next set of performances.

The sturdiness of a World War II Stearman is tested by a low level pull out.

Another World War II trainer showed the crowd the difference in technology between the Stearman and this A-6 Texan. Know that.

2011 Quad Cities Air Show - Part 1

2011-06-21T21:51:00.000-05:00

Last weekend an air show in the Quad Cities (Davenport, Iowa) took place for the twenty-something time. Its claims to be the third largest air show in the United States and featured, among other exhibits, the US Navy's Blue Angels. Half of the show consists of static displays. Above is some type of Navy helicopter that was in the process of balancing it's side fuel tanks and was guarded by the local Civil Air Patrol members.

Another static display at the show was this World War II era Avenger. This craft carried a torpedo and was used primarily in the Pacific theater. This particular plane is in immaculate condition.

Spooky is a C-47 transport plane used near the end of WWII and converted to a machine gun platform used in Vietnam. This plane was called in, usually at night, to a target area, circled the target (known as orbiting) and discharged its twin side mounted machine guns downward. This measure usually decimated the jungle and allowed for other attack aircraft to conduct missions.

A-10 Warthog jets have been around for years. They are used in the Middle East to destroy tanks and provide cover for troops on the ground. The two engine nacelles allow the plane to linger over the target area.

The Quad Cities Air Show offers site seeing for many people. Willy the dog however, was not allowed on the show's grounds but hung out in the parking area with his owner. Both enjoyed the aerial portion of the five hour show. Know that.

Flag Day 2011 - A Sioux City Salute

2011-06-14T18:28:00.000-05:00

Flag Day 2011 over Sgt. Charles Floyd's grave site located south of Sioux City, Iowa. Sgt. Floyd was a member of Lewis & Clark's Corps of Discovery. This flag represents the number of states that made up the United States at the time of his death in 1804. Know that.

On the Road to the Witness Tree

2011-06-13T21:42:00.001-05:00

In 42N country's western Illinois, there is a country road with huge vistas of ankle high growing corn. Take the time to follow these roads, sometimes you will be surprised with what you find.

This boulder is placed just off of County Road 1210N, northwest of Neponset, Illinois. It makes the location of the first white settler's cabin in Bureau County. The Studley family established a log cabin on this site in the fall of 1837. From the looks of it the boulder was recently placed here.

Around the corner from the boulder or about three miles south of Mineral, Illinois on the east side of County Road AA is this giant burr oak tree. Native Americans of this area used it as a meeting place. The tree received its name because it was a witness, or reference point, for surveyors of the Chicago, Rock Island, and Pacific Railroad during the building of the railroad through Mineral Township. Additionally the nearby landscape is in a state of reclamation from coal mining operations performed a hundred years ago. An interesting area indeed.

Take US Highway 6 or I-80 just a few miles from this location and you might never know about these landmarks. If you have the time (and gas) take the road less traveled. You'll still get where you are going but will be more knowledgeable for the effort. Know that.

Rain Slows National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library Move

2011-06-09T16:59:00.000-05:00

Yesterday's 95F temperature made moving the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library only 200 feet a slow process but that was by design. The building is designed to move at 1/8th mph. The plan yesterday was to move in a straight line then pivot for the next phase. The pivot was not completed due to heavy rains and hail that fell mid-evening.

Today's forecast includes rain and temperatures in the 70s. Steel plates placed on the ground yesterday for traction will not be as effective in providing support for the multi-ton structure with rain. Since the building won't be pivoted today, workers organized things and re-checked the 40 sets of wheels below the museum.

Workers told me that this process of moving the museum will be a several week process if all the weather conditions, mechanics and personnel cooperate. In the end, the Czech Village area of Cedar Rapids will once again have a world-class museum dedicated to a portion of the city's heritage. Know that.

National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library Moving Day

2011-06-08T22:38:00.001-05:00

Nearly three years ago to the day (June 13th) the Cedar River flooded Cedar Rapids to heights not seen since the glaciers melted around 42N country a little over 10,000 years ago. One casualty that day three years ago was the National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. River water crested about halfway up this structure. Fast forward to today. After nearly two months of rain delays the museum rolled off its foundation and stopped 200 feet to the north in a move to relocate the structure.

The structure is being moved to its new home this week and will be lifted 11 feet atop a new parking structure. This allows for the building to remain in the city's Czech Village area and will minimize any possible future river flooding.

Structure mover, Jeremy Patterson and company from cable TV fame (TLC's Heavy Haulers) is here in Cedar Rapids with his talented crew to move the museum. The move is also being video tapped for a future show.

This afternoon the packed clay dirt was reinforced with steel plates. These will serve as a road to pivot the museum from its present location to its new home.

Crews worked this extremely hot afternoon by turning 40-some wheel pods 90 degrees in preparation of arching the path of the building in the next phase of moving the museum. A severe thunderstorm this evening may delay the pivoting on Thursday but the project will move forward. Know that.

Hauling One Big Scoop of Iowa

2011-05-31T22:28:00.000-05:00

Near a small town in eastern Iowa, a John Deere hauls a scoop of black soil. The grass and weed infested hill behind the driver is a set aside mound of premiere Iowa topsoil from some past project. On this day, a vintage JD takes a scoop and tracks across the road to town for whatever project he has in mind. No questions asked. Know that.

A Look at Memorial Day 2011 in Iowa

2011-05-30T23:25:00.000-05:00

Every veteran's grave site is marked with a flag at the Iowa Veteran's Home Cemetery in Marshalltown, Iowa on Memorial Day 2011.

American flags fly on display in the stiff wind at the National Cemetery near Vining, Iowa. Know that.

Golden Rails For Moving Corn

2011-05-25T13:33:00.001-05:00

Railroad tracks near a Cargill plant in southeast Cedar Rapids shine in the late day sun. The line allows grain to be brought to the plant and corn milling products to be shipped out. Know that.