Iowa

We have travelled the edge of Iowa on I-29 many times both ways

We have spent the night in Sioux City across from the airport

where the famous crash took place

We have driven on I-35 to Des Moines and all the way to Minnesota again both ways

We have driven east out of Des Moines on the way to Chicago

Corn higher than a six foot man and taller even than that and lush and green

Corn in Iowa is what most people think of and so do we

However our most important thoughts of Iowa have to do with Des Moines

Once we almost bought a home there and seriously looked at three homes

The first one a couple was about to lose to foreclosure,

another was an older home and yet another had a three year loan

The most important memories of Iowa for us will always be

Pope John Paul and The Living History Farm

We drove up from Oklahoma City in a twenty six foot class C motor home

with our children and several young people

We got to the Farm and found a nice camp spot with thousands of others

We walked to the site where the Pope would be in a procession singing and laughing and carrying a sign

Our three daughters are the 1st and 3rd ones from the left and the one in the stroller

Nikki, Gigi and Jamie and this was by the way

a seven mile walk one way from the campgrounds, definitely a pilgrimage!

All day we laughed, prayed and screamed 'We love you, Pope John Paul",

I took many pictures of the press helicopter thinking it was the Pope's ride

He landed in a helicopter and celebrated Liturgy and

we received Holy Communion along with his Blessing

We walked back to the camper under a wonderful harvest moon

Along the way we got a ride in a hay wagon and we were ready for the ride

We drove home the next day after driving back to the site and

being amazed at how clean it was

It was a wonderful few days and we have many memories of it

The day began cold, cloudy and dreary and the moment the Pope arrived, out came the sun

The moon, the day, the Pope and all the people being in such a friendly and good mood

So much sharing took place and it was an unforgettable wonderful experience

This is what we remember about Iowa

In October 2013, one of our daughters took a temporary position as the CNO of Ottumwa's Hospital.

We used the occasion to visit "The Field of Dreams" in Dyersville.

It was a special visit and we enjoyed every moment from Linda taking my picture in the field and on the mound and all over.

I spoke with Shoeless Joe and had my picture taken with him but alas his ghostly presence refused to be photographed..

The corn was high and so were our spirits in this truly magical place.