Getting to Know Iowa, Road Trip 2015, Part 13

Getting to know Iowa!  Kelly was a great hostess and we did a good many things during our stay.  Iowa is....thunderstorms, lightning bugs, big horned worms, monarchs, ever changing and breathtaking skies, being with the best of friends, cottonwoods, wind, humidity, little old towns rich in history, farmhouses, crop dusters, painted quilts on barns, huge manicured lawns, Amish country, green, big eyed cicadas...just to name a few!

After nearly two weeks in the car, the Kelly children were glad to see legos and play with friends!

Look at me...

...I am cute!

A tomato worm from the gardens.

Monarchs, monarchs everywhere!  I don't think I have seen a single one here in Silverton.  I remember them from Southern Oregon but the milkweed that used to grow along the roadsides are sprayed down and the butterflies just don't come anymore.  There was milkweed growing wild all along the roads.



Crocheting and knitting, there is something delightful about a gaggle of girls doing crafty and beautiful things!

There is just something about laundry fresh on the line.  The Pint's dryer was broken and I was glad to wash and hang all of our clothes out in the sun.

Big van and lots of children!

Tiger Lilly's grow wild.  You can see the spraying plane in the background.

Walking along the nature trail and being eaten by mosquitoes.  



Soy crops

In Vinton, at the former School for the Blind, that Mary Ingalls attended.




See Charles Ingalls on the register? (4th one up from the bottom)



Who doesn't love a big ear of corn dressed up as a flag?

Playground fun


Prairie land restoration project

At the lake:



This picture is a tad bit creepy but B, who normally doesn't like to get all wet was...well, getting all wet!

Splash Park




Monarchs at the park

An old mill

At Grandpa Pint's farm (Kelly's parents).  He raises pigs and farms about 80 acres of land.



Piglets

Tractor rides





Everyone had a turn, even me and I got to drive it.  

Waiting their turn for a tractor ride.







 Cinnamon rolls from the Amish bakery and a picnic at the Nature Conservatory



Native turtles

Monarch hatching


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