Enjoying a free fishing weekend

Linda called Saturday morning to see if I had any interest in taking advantage of the weekend set aside by the Department of Natural Resources for fishing without a license. I'd been kinda thinking it wouldn't be a bad day to just stick around home ... after last weekend's major road trip and all. Linda also mentioned that there was a classic car show on the square in Adel and that's on the 100 places list. I took a look at the Google Earth map and a plan started forming. Linda came over, we stopped by the big box store to pick up a rod and reel for her, and we were on our way.

As luck would have it, we ended up heading south and passing through Indianola, home of a cherry pie on the 100 things to eat list. It was a little early for pie but we could check the square to see if we could recognize the place. Instead, we found the Warren County Corvette Club car show! We got out and walked around the square admiring the various versions of the car and the wonderful job that people done in their maintenance. It was a nice, unexpected treat.

We left Indianola headed for St. Charles to catch the Imes covered bridge. Located only a mile or so from the interstate exit, it seemed like the right time to pick it up.

We cut through Osceola on our way to "The Spot" and saw this surprising roadside floral display. For a couple of blocks, the hillside was covered with a striking mix of poppies and smaller, complimentary flowers. We were a little surprised that they were still at such a nice point in their bloom. After going to Pella to see the tulips and being a couple of weeks late, we stumbled into these at what appeared to be near their peak. In the breeze, the fluttering flowers were very pleasing to the eye.

We arrived at "The Spot" and found that we weren't the only people there. One family with two early elementary kids were enjoying some early afternoon shade while they tried their luck. Linda was the first to get a bite but it got away just as it was about to be pulled from the water; sounded like a good fish story to me. We worked our way around the shore and Linda found evidence of a comfort focused fisherman preceeding us. She tried the seat and found it comfy enough; it was even located at a part of the lake where she wasn't bothered by biting fish.

We moved on and within a few minutes Linda landed the pretty bass she's displaying. I grabbed my camera and recorded it for co-workers and family who were pretty surprised she'd entertain the idea of going fishing. Nice fish! As you can see, there are no photos of my fish; I didn't even get a bite. After about an hour, we hit the road again.

Our next stop was Three Mile Lake located between Osceola and Creston. During the last few miles approaching the lake, we were met by over a dozen pickup trucks pulling boat trailers; the fish must be gone, the fisherman were calling it a day. Having never been to this lake before, we still wanted to see what it was like.

It's a big lake. Based on the number of dead trees sticking up out of the water, it's a fairly new lake. Based on the number of boats that were still on the water, the fishing is good. We went out on one of the fishing jetties and beat our way way around a couple of times but came up with nothing but a couple of brief snags in the rocky structure near the jetty. At least Linda got a few shots of me in action! As we were preparing to leave, a family with a couple of young boys came out on the jetty to drown a few worms. It was a nice day for it.

We tried to find Twelve Mile Lake but ended up just driving a box around it but never close enough to see it. Along the way, we found these two ... yes, there's a horse in the lower right; there's also a donkey in the upper left. These two were tethered along the side of the road, apparently to munch on the tall grass in the roadside ditch. Just over the hill, we found three more similarly staked out. I'm not sure I'd be completely comfortable putting them that close to the road; the horse in the photo did come up and put all four feet on the edge of the gravel while paused for the photo.

We arrived in Winterset, county seat of Madison County ... yes, with the bridges. I'd seen that one of the bridges had been moved to the city park. That one would be easy pickin's. As we were making our way across town, we happened to pass the birthplace of Marion Robert Morrison, later known as John Wayne. We also passed the old county jail house and I couldn't resist taking a shot of their sign. When we got to the park, we found the bridge in good shape and a nice attraction in an otherwise beautiful park. About fifty yards from the bridge was a hedge that, on Google Earth looked like a maze. We strolled over and found a nice hedge maze, complete with a sundial and bench at the center. While it wasn't too difficult, we found we'd walked right past the proper turn the first time.

Of course, when in Madison County, you really should visit some of the covered bridges. Linda and I saw and photographed all but Roseman; we got Imes, Hollister, Cedar, Hogback, and Cutler-Donahoe. Of course, reading up a little afterwards, I found that, "in Robert James Waller's novel The Bridges of Madison County and the movie of the same name, Roseman is the bridge Robert Kincaid seeks when he stops at Francesca Johnson's for directions; it is also where Francesca leaves her note inviting him to dinner." The other bridges were quite enough for us.

One of the things that seeing five covered bridges in fairly rapid succession allows is recognition of variations in construction techniques. As you can see in the photos, some had flat roofs, some peaked. Some had ventilation and allowed light along the roof line, some were simply walls. Some of the floors had board running lengthwise, some diagonal. One of the bridges had nicely curved wooden beams to provide the supporting arch; later bridges used two diagonals and one long straight beam.

Another thing that I became aware of was the history. Of course there was the history of the structures but there is also history carved into the timbers or written in Sharpie on the walls. "Nathan U. was here" "Kathy and Nelson forever" Proclamations adorn the walls and add to the history of the place. Why people decide to post them on public structures is another question but there they are.

Our last stop was another of the 100 Places in Iowa You Must Visit, the Adel town square. The courthouse there is undergoing major renovation and the grounds were enclosed by a chainlink fence so that wasn't so appealing. Looking above the construction machinery and materials, it was clear why this building made the list. It's quite a handsome structure with great details.

As we arrived, the participants in a classic / hot rod car show around the square were starting to leave. While it would have been interesting to get to see the various vehicles up close, it was even better to get to see and hear them fire up and make their way out.

We wrapped up the day by going to see the Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Quite a day!