Dad and Son Hit the Links at Iowa Veteran's Home

On top of the hill at Marshalltown's Iowa Veterans Home is a huge lawn decorated with war monuments, mature shade trees and war relics.  A new IVH resident of just 20 days was out swinging the clubs at a few golf balls aimed at a nearby "hole."  The new resident's son and staff caretaker accompanied him for the short outing.

This gentleman, a U.S. Navy veteran is also an accomplished golfer.  He hails from Eldon, Iowa, home of the house that served as the backdrop in the "American Gothic" painting  by Grant Wood.  Both the son and the golfer worked for the railroad (several companies) throughout the years. 

The golf "hole" at the top of the hill was the 70mm French artillery piece.  Our senior golfer came close a few times to the target - most likely on purpose.

Even the IVH caretaker gave golf a try. After listening to some quick advice she launched a few Titleists towards the French cannon.  Remember to keep your head down and slow down your backswing.  She did just fine for her first time out.

Snowy Stairway to Grant Wood

Just two weeks ago the overnight snow lightly dusted the three stairs to Iowa's most famous painter, Grant Wood's grave. Today, the first day of Spring has seen most traces of snow melt away.Time to paint en plein.

Take the Road to Grant Wood Country

Eastern Iowa is Grant Wood country. Not far from Cedar Rapids is a road that runs north of State Highway 151. On county road X28 the Grant Wood Scenic Byway commences. It leads to nearby Stone City where you can see the stone quarry, church and general store that Grant painted (titled, Stone City.) The byway continues to nearby Anamosa where Wood is buried. Back in Cedar Rapids Wood's studio has been preserved for visitors and much of his work can be seen at the art museum. His most famous work, American Gothic hangs at the Art Institute Museum in Chicago.

First Light Birds

More first light tests yesterday (see yesterday's post) were conducted using a 1.4x teleconverter. Knowing that eastern Iowa would receive sleet and ice today the Saturday test pushed to find more willing subjects at mid-distances. 

At the Wapsipinicon State Park in Anamosa, Iowa (a few hundred yards south of where artist Grant Wood is buried) the open water attracts many ducks and geese. Flying overhead was a lone bald eagle looking for its next meal. After circling just below the dam, the bird of prey nabbed something in the water and started down river where I was stationed. I had been concentrating on the Canada geese sunning themselves while looking for minnows to eat. After I took a few photos of the eagle passing in manual focus mode, I later applied it to an online photo editor, and played with background and text as an experiment. 

Canada geese are year round residents of eastern Iowa. With ample open water and food sources available the large birds tend to stay rather than migrate. At times this becomes a problem for people wanting to stroll near rivers or lakes without walking in bird poop. Since temperatures meant that anything organic on the ground was frozen, yesterday's walk to photograph the birds included a caution not to roll off a frozen surprise.

First light tests went well. Things learned included the need for strong lighting, re-learning manual focus photography and anticipating where subjects may be in motion before the snap of the shutter. Simple.

Once Upon Somebody's Home

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.

Salvadore Dali vs. Grant Wood

Like an abstract long distance runner drawn by the master of artistic weirdness, Salvadore Dali, these stains adorn some type of black goo storage tank in 42N's Vinton, Iowa. This stuff looks like some type of asphalt topper or rooftop tar. Perhaps the master himself journeyed to Iowa to participate in an art throw-down with local master Regionalist, Grant Wood back in the day. Who knows? Know that.

Three Stairs to Grant Wood's Grave

Three roadside steps will take you to the final resting place of American painter, Grant Wood. Here in 42N country Grant, his sister Nan and other family members are buried in nearby Anamosa, Iowa. Grant Wood was a US Army veteran from WWI, hence the military bronze marker and flags that flank his simple headstone.

One Day 2 of the the Big Wind, the lowest barometric storm over the continental US (aside from Tropical storms) the flags snapped with each gust and the fall leaves were no where to be found. Know that.

Strength & Sovereignty Guard the Grand Lodge of Iowa

Since 1955 two identical white marble statues of lions guard the entrance to the Masonic Grand Lodge of Iowa in 42N country. A mid-afternoon sun created intriguing shadows that emphasize sculptured, angular cuts of masonic power and strength.


The Grand Lodge houses an extensive library and is located at 813 First Avenue S.E. in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The building is open to visitors Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until noon and from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. You will find the facility is steeped in symbolism. Directly behind the white marble building to the south is 5 Turner Alley where famed artist Grand Wood painted some of his best known works. Know that.

Memorial Day 2009: Cedar Rapids, Iowa

The remembrance of Amercian war dead is celebrated annually as Memorial Day. One of the many ways in 42N country that the sacrifice is remembered is through the small scale version of an Arlington, Virgina sculpture. Outside of the Cedar Rapids' Veterans Memorial Building is the United States Marine Corps War Memorial portraying the flag raising on Iwo Jima from World War II.

This sculpture (above) is based on the one that Felix de Weldon designed for display half a continent away. The Cedar Rapids' version was prepared in 1960. Directly behind the flag raising diminutive is the illumination side of the stained glass window designed by Grant Wood. The story tall window, designed in 1928 was damaged during the 2008 flood (June 2008) and is being studied for repair.

As millions of Americans enjoy a long holiday weekend the words on the statue's base reflects the sentiment of sacrifices made by the men and women of our military.

"Our finest tribute to their valor will be the quality of our own lives." Know that.

American Gothic's Grant Wood Still Rests in Anamosa, Iowa

American Gothic painter, Grant Wood lived and created art around 42N country. His 1930 masterpiece hangs at the Art Institute of Chicago (above top), a city near the coveted mid-northern latitude. American Gothic is one of the most recognized images of American art and one of the most parodied. Moving a bit to the west, the master painted his iconic rural midwestern oil and several others at his studio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Grant Wood was born and is buried in nearby Anamosa, Iowa. His grave is located along one of the middle roads in the cemetery and is usually adorned by flowers and his World War I service marker. He lies next to his sister, Nan Wood Graham, the woman who he painted in the American Gothic composition. A late afternoon photo on February 22, 2009 captures the solitude of this prominent member of the Regionalist art movement. Visit several Grant Wood sites around the 42N latitude. Click here to discover the painter's legacy. Know that.