As part of a larger summer road trip, we spent two days driving west across Iowa. After spending a night in the Quad Cities, we visited the future birthplace of Captain James T. Kirk in Riverside. The town has several attractions dedicated to the famous captain from Star Trek including a bronze statue and birthplace marker at city hall.
We spent a day with family visiting Adventureland Park near Des Moines. Elizabeth and Miles both enjoyed the many kid-friendly rides the park offered, especially the A-Train, Convoy, Shakin' Bacon, Bumper Cars, Chuck Wagon, Giant Sky Wheel, and Carousel. The adults had a good time riding the Draken Falls flume ride, Flying Viking roller coaster, Outlaw roller coaster, and Tornado rollercoaster.
The next day we drove to Winterset to see the various Covered Bridges of Madison County. We saw all six bridges (Imes, Holliwell, Cutler-Donahoe, Cedar, Hogback, and Roseman) as well as the birthplace of John Wayne. In Winterset City Park we drove the two-mile scenic drive to Clark Tower where we climbed to the top of this 1926 tower for the views of the Middle River valley.
South of town we stopped at Mount Pisgah, a site on the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail. After searching for some family gravesites in the town of Villisca (which is unfortunately known as the location of brutal axe murders that occurred in 1912), we made a quick stop to see the Stanton Coffee Pot Water Tower before driving to Council Bluffs to enjoy dinner with family.
Benjamin spent a night in Decorah visiting family on his way to a funeral.
We drove east across Iowa, stopping at the Jesse James Historical Site in Adair. This site marks the location of the world's first robbery of a moving train. As the story goes, Jesse James believed there to be a shipment of gold on a train passing by Adair. He and his gang cut the rails and when the train came along, they pulled the rail out of place and the engine plunged into the ditch. The engineer and fireman were killed, and several passengers were injured. When they opened the safe, there was no gold shipment, as it had been delayed. Jesse and his gang robbed the passengers and fled to Missouri, where the governor offered a $10,000 reward for Jesse James, dead or alive. A few years later one of the new members of the James gang was tempted by the reward and shot and killed Jesse James.
We also stopped in downtown Des Moines to see the Iowa State Capitol and toured the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site in West Branch.
We toured the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque. We also spent an evening gambling and bowling with Ben's father and sister at Diamond Jo Casino.
We attended a wedding at the Hotel Winneshiek in Decorah. We also visited Effigy Mounds National Monument near Marquette where we hiked around the mounds and enjoyed the views of the Mississippi River and valley below.
Driving east through Iowa we stopped at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library & Museum in West Branch. This is also the final resting place of President Hoover and his wife. We also stopped at the Iowa-80 Truck Stop near Davenport, which is the largest truck stop in the world.
Our wedding reception was held at the Ameristar Hotel & Casino in Council Bluffs. Later in the month we returned to Iowa and drove the scenic drive through DeSoto National Wildlife Refuge.
Driving through Iowa at Christmas, Benjamin and his sister were stranded in Walnut due to a blizzard. They were lucky to find lodging, food, and fuel, and after one night they were able to continue their journey.
On a summer trip with his Grandparents, Benjamin visited Spook Cave and Pikes Peak State Park near Marquette.
Driving through Iowa with his grandparents, Benjamin visited the Field of Dreams Movie Site in Dyersville and rode the Cassville Ferry across the Mississippi River. He also visited Adventureland Park in Altoona.