Backroads are better!

One thing about going on back roads, is that you come upon unusual places - even Iowa's BEST burgers!  I was headed north from Pella on 224, went under I-80 with its' heavy traffic and came upon this place.  

I don't know if they were the best burgers - I think I've had better - but the fried cheese curds were the very best I've ever had!

?

This was across the street.  An explanation would have been nice.

I kept going north and did not go on I-80.  That is stressful driving!  The country roads are so much more relaxing!  However, Maps kept trying to put me back on I-80.  After awhile, it gave up and put me going on 30.

I saw interesting places. 

Motorcycle gangs even.

I got on Highway 30 to Cedar Rapids then 151 to Dubuque.

Continued on to Wisconsin.

When I got to my destination, Kobi welcomed me.  He ran zoomies around me and finally settled down after some time.  He was so happy to see me!

Some people are in such a hurry when they travel.  Scurry, scurry, scurry.  And they miss seeing great places.  For me, the journey - seeing the countryside and towns along the way - is just as important as the getting to my final destination.

"It's not the destination, it's the journey."

Ralph Waldo Emerson, American philosopher

In the Christian life, however, that is not the case, is it.  The journey IS important.  How we walk the walk, as Christ would have us walk.  Meeting people, showing kindness, encouraging them.  But the FINAL destination is where we keep our eyes.  And Jesus will welcome us!  I don't think He'll have the zoomies, but I might!  How exciting that will be to see Him face to face!!

I love the analogy of the Narthex, by Anne Graham Lotz.

"Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent (John 17:3, NIV).

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to visit Westminster Abbey in London. It is a grand cathedral where many of the kings and dignitaries of England are buried, and where the kings and queens receive their coronation. The narthex is small, dark, and cramped—just a brief space to pass through between the outside door and the door leading into the cathedral itself. I can’t imagine anyone visiting the abbey and being satisfied to stay in the narthex. I also can’t imagine anyone who would make an enormous effort to stay there with no thought to passing through to the glory of what lies beyond.

Your life and mine here on earth is like the narthex to a grand cathedral. Our lives are simply an area to pass through on our way to the glory of eternal life that lies beyond the door of death. Physical death for a believer is simply a transition into real life. And it’s God’s purpose that you and I live forever—with Him."

"Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."  Acts 4:12

"Jesus answered, 'I AM the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.'"  John 14:6

Pella, Iowa

I was excited to  do a little walk-about around Pella; to explore!  Pella is a Dutch village, 40 miles southeast of Des Moines.  It was settled in 1847 by 800 Dutch immigrants seeking religious freedom.  Some people ask what Pella means. I was told that it was named after Pella, the city of refuge where Christians fled to when the Roman army came to quiet a Jewish revolution in the 1st century.  Pella means "city of refuge" and "Marvel of God".  

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  Psalm 46:1

Pella is the home of Pella Corporation that makes windows and also Vermeer Maufacturing Company.

Pella is designed like a dutch village, complete with a little canal.

As I was walking along, I met an elderly gentleman who asked me where I was from.  He told me he and his wife retired here as they felt this town was so very charming.  

He told me the history of the area. He used to be a tour guide for the windmill and he encouraged me to be sure to get a ticket to see the windmill earlier in the day, rather than later as it would get crowded.

So, my first stop was to see the Vermeer Windmill, an actual working grain mill.  In Holland, windmills sit close to the ground, with the blades nearly touching the ground.  But because of the tall buildings around Pella, they had to build it up.  The top windmill part was made in Holland and transported here.

The gift shop inside.

I got in on the 1st tour group.  Up a flight, there was a little model of a Dutch village.

This reminded me of the visit to Madurodam when we went to Holland.  I would love for our city to build a similar "little village" of the old west along the walking path by the railroad tracks!

The flag at the top of the windmill shows which way the wind is blowing.

A worker will turn this wheel that turns the blades in the direction the wind blows so that they rotate.  As he did that, the blades began to go around and around.  Rather cool to watch!

The view from the top.

Our tour guide showed us the workings of the mill.  She is married to a guy from the Netherlands.  His parents and all his relatives still live there.

Below is where the windmill worker and his family would all sleep.  They would sleep in a sitting position because the dust of the grain would settle in the lungs. On very cold nights, the children were said to have been placed in the drawer below.

After seeing the windmill, I took the self-guided tour of the historical village beside the windmill.  It was included in the price.

There was going to be a wedding later that day right here in this village so a few of the buildings were closed as they were preparing for that.

Found out that Wyatt Earp used to live in this town and in the row house pictured below.  

Wyatt Earp once was a sheriff in Wichita, Ks, 30 miles from where I'm from.  He was said to have cleaned up the town and made law and order function there.

I began walking downtown. 

 This is the Klokkenspel, a moving puppet clock.  

The show can be viewed from the street first and then from the courtyard behind.  Performances are held at 11, 1, 3, 5 and 9.  So, not every hour.

I stopped at a nice dress shop and the clerk came up to me and asked me where I was from.  I must have the word "Visitor" stamped on my forehead.  I guess, with a camera in hand...  She asked me about the crops in Kansas.  She is a farmer's wife and was curious what we grew there.  

I told her my friend, Mary Ellen, who is a children's author, grew up in nearby Sully, so she asked me her name.  She knew her!  Small world.

I was told I would HAVE to visit the bakery.

It was 1/2 hour wait, but oh, my.  

On the drive out of town, I saw such pretty houses.   

This town is worth coming back to!  I will have to bring Allen and spend more than just one day!

Corn fields; Lewis and Clark

While I am seeing a lot of posts of friends at the beaches in Mexico or the Gulf and others sightseeing Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland... this year I am sightseeing cornfields in Iowa.  

Not complaining, because last week I was going to see my kids!  Corn fields are between them and us!  I went to pick up my daughter and granddaughter to bring back to Kansas with me!  

On the way north, I first made a stop in Hillsboro to lend a book to my friend.  This book is so encouraging; based on God's promise of Romans 8:28.  Robert Morgan is one of my favorite authors!  I love my friends and I felt so encouraged after spending time with her.  "Encourage one another daily." Hebrews 3:13

After a half hour visit, I continued on.  

I like to pull over whenever I can to read historical markers.

I took 77 up to Junction City and hopped onto I-70 to Topeka, then veered north on Highway 75 into Nebraska.

It became a 2-lane road and unfortunately there was lots of traffic and because of rolling hills, not many places to pass.  We had to stop for a train.

Lots of farming vehicles.  I wasn't in a hurry so that's fine.

I enjoy going through little towns.

In Nebraska City, I saw a sign for the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Trail and Visitors Center.  It is on the Mississippi River and I had to make a stop to see it!  I never know what I will come up upon and love these little surprise stops.

"Pointing the Way" - the name of this sculpture reminds me that God Himself points us the Way in which to go.

Psalm 25:4,5

"Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow.  Lead me by Your truth and teach me, for You are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in You."

This is the replica of the actual boat that Lewis and Clark used to explore the Mississippi.

Where they spent the winter.

There was also a trail you could go on but I needed to keep going as I wanted to get to Pella, Iowa for the night.

Crossing the mighty Mississippi.  I still remember as a kid being so proud to spell that word! M I S S I S S I P P I!

Continuing on...  I went up 29 in Iowa to highway 34.  I went east on it.

Another historical marker!  If you are in the habit of zipping on by these, 

I recommend stopping and learning some history!

I took 34 all the way to Clariton then went northeast on 14.  Maps sometimes took me on roads unknown.

Like I said, sightseeing the corn fields of Iowa.

My goal was to get to Pella before dark.  My eyesight isn't good after dark.  With only 1 eye that works, depth perception is a problem, especially when it's dark.

Pella, Iowa!

And guess what - corn fields out my hotel window.

I enjoyed the swim in the pool and the hot tub after the long day of driving.