We made it to Grinnell, but missed out on JBβs gravesite, as the cemetery was closed. But we did find the memorial plaque near his old home. π·οΈ26.05A




Merchants National Bank π·οΈ26.05A




We found Radar from MASH in Ottumwa. π·οΈ26.05A





American Gothic π·οΈ26.05A



The easiest, most instantly useful improvement nearly any hotel can make is to add a simple elevator sign to hallways. Thereβs no reason to make every guest scan both ways trying to descern if thereβs an extra gap somewhere between the doors or remember which way they approached their rooms from.
We paid homage to Aldo Leopold today, visiting his gravesite and birthplace/boyhood homes. π·οΈ26.05A




Dave has gone missing.
We were a bit disappointed at the rock art we found at Thousand Hills State Park in Missouri, which were rather minor petroglyphs fully enclosed in a structure. I guess weβre just too spoiled by the Southwestβ¦ π·οΈ26.05A




Stopped by the birthplace of labor legend John L Lewis, though missed touring the museum, which was already closed for the day. π·οΈ26.05A




Independence,Missouri is home to three National Historic Trails. We followed a chunk of the Santa Fe Trail today. π·οΈ26.05A



The most important stop of the day was the Harry S Truman National Historic Site, the primary target of the entire trip. Itβs been an orphaned National Park unit for Jen for years, so it was good to finally get it done. We also stopped at his nearby boyhood home. π·οΈ26.05A




Made a quick stop at Fort Osage, one of the first U.S. outposts in the Louisiana Purchase territory. π·οΈ26.05A



We e-signed the paperwork for our new Toyota Grand Highlander Hybrid tonight! Can’t wait to pick it up in a few days.
Taking aim at the courts π·οΈ26.05A


This building served as the home office of the famed Pony Express. π·οΈ26.05A


We visited the Gen John J Pershing Boyhood Home State Historic Site. The home is closed for renovations, the schoolhouse had closed for the day too, but we did get to tour the museum, which was better than expected. π·οΈ26.05A




The best thingβ¦ π·οΈ26.05A






Iowa is still learning what a food truck is. π·οΈ26.05A
We stopped by the site of the Icarian Colony, the longest running non-religious utopian project in America. π·οΈ26.05A


Marked off another on Jenβs MLB Ballpark quest.

