This morning we set off to explore the area around Winterset, Iowa. When we were here in 2006 we sought out all
the bridges of The Bridges of Madison County fame so we did not do that again. We did take a turn around the town square in downtown to see all the potted plants they have out for the summer. This seems 
to be big up north since the City of Duluth had similar pots hanging from their light poles in both downtown and in Canal Park. Next we took a drive east, about 30 miles, to the town of Indianola where the National Balloon Museum is located. The big annual Balloon Festival, that is now held each fall in Albuquerque, New Mexico, originated in Indianola. The museum has many displays of balloons including gas filled to hot air balloons. Also the many types of gondolas that are associated with ballooning are shown here.
the bridges of The Bridges of Madison County fame so we did not do that again. We did take a turn around the town square in downtown to see all the potted plants they have out for the summer. This seems 
to be big up north since the City of Duluth had similar pots hanging from their light poles in both downtown and in Canal Park. Next we took a drive east, about 30 miles, to the town of Indianola where the National Balloon Museum is located. The big annual Balloon Festival, that is now held each fall in Albuquerque, New Mexico, originated in Indianola. The museum has many displays of balloons including gas filled to hot air balloons. Also the many types of gondolas that are associated with ballooning are shown here.Our next stop was back in Winterset at the Madison County Historical Society Museum Complex. We first visited this
in 2006 and enjoyed it enough to return. The main museum is on two floors of a pretty good size building with a large amount of material depicting the history of Madison County. There are several other buildings on the site, including an 1800's mansion that was original to the property. They have also moved in an old train depot, a one-room school house and a small church building. These are all original buildings to the area. A very large barn has been constructed and it is chock full of farm machinery and vehicles. This is definitely a place that museum and history buffs should stop to see when in the area.
in 2006 and enjoyed it enough to return. The main museum is on two floors of a pretty good size building with a large amount of material depicting the history of Madison County. There are several other buildings on the site, including an 1800's mansion that was original to the property. They have also moved in an old train depot, a one-room school house and a small church building. These are all original buildings to the area. A very large barn has been constructed and it is chock full of farm machinery and vehicles. This is definitely a place that museum and history buffs should stop to see when in the area.Our last stop for the day was to pay homage to an American icon, one Marion Robert Morrison, or as he is better known The Duke, John Wayne. He was born in a four room house in Winterset on May 26, 1907. We took the tour of the house when we were here in 2006. At
that time we were told of plans for a large John Wayne Museum to be
built on adjacent property. One of our reasons to stop in Winterset on the way home was to see the progress of the museum. Unfortunately the town has had trouble with the fund raising so ground has not been broken on the museum. They do have a very nice statue of The Duke on the site. We'll have to keep track of this over the next few years and plan a stop here again once the museum gets build, if it ever does.
that time we were told of plans for a large John Wayne Museum to be
built on adjacent property. One of our reasons to stop in Winterset on the way home was to see the progress of the museum. Unfortunately the town has had trouble with the fund raising so ground has not been broken on the museum. They do have a very nice statue of The Duke on the site. We'll have to keep track of this over the next few years and plan a stop here again once the museum gets build, if it ever does.We drove through some light rain showers yesterday that really made a mess of the car. We finished off the day by taking the car to a car wash to get it ready to put the travel cover on for the rest of our trek toward home. That was followed by a good dinner at a local diner.
1 comment:
Yup, IoWay has some things that lure the tourists :-) No Bridge pics tho.
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