Landscape of Iowa

Near Lone Tree, Iowa the farm land is slightly hilly in a few parts. This field has grain bins in place to hold the next harvest. Now if only the rains would stop for more than a few days.

B-17 Aluminum Overcast Lands at Cedar Rapids CID

Another vintage WWII aircraft sighting this evening. This time it is the B-17 "Aluminum Overcast" at Cedar Rapids (CID). Yes, I saw the same flying fortress in Burlington, Iowa last year, and have seen it multiple times in Cedar Rapids. This week the plane's summer schedule had a last minute opening and fortunately was able to make another journey to the City of Five Seasons. In its one day appearance all flights were completely booked except for the last one of the afternoon. Storm clouds are on the horizon for tonight.

Aluminum Overcast sits on the tarmac in CID following a day of flights around the city for paying passengers (and media.) Unfortunately, I arrived an hour after the tour closed. I also do not have media credentials but probably should get accredited. I was an Associated Press stringer in college - maybe that will count. The covers on the engines are new this year according to a local EAA event host. The covers are designed to minimize the effects of rain, wind, debris and flying critters on the aging plane when parked for the evening.

Rollin' on the Ohio River

Last October 14th I spotted a tug pushing barges on the Ohio River near Paducah, KY/Metropolis, IL. Just like those tugs on the Mississippi River these are hard working maritime vessels pushing loads of coal, salt, grain, scrap iron or other cargo to customers along the way. This particular boat is the Tom Torretti of the Water Front Services Company based in Cairo, Illinois. The 67- by 28-foot fleet boat entered service in 2018.

Onward into Illinois Young Abraham Lincoln

Ever wonder what the Lincoln family wagon train looked like? Here is a depiction of that family's journey as they crossed from Vincennes, Indiana into Illinois. This 1938 dedicated monument is on the west bank of the Wabash River while the huge George Rogers Clark memorial is on the Vincennes side.  The DAR sponsored tribute to Lincoln shows the family on the move in 1830 guided by the spirit in the sky representing Abe's departed mother.