We left Bettendorf and on our way to Des Moines, we made a couple of stops. First stop was Herbert Hoover National Historic Site. He was the 31st president and we saw the tiny cabin in which he was born. We also toured the museum and presidential library and then walked up to the graves. I learned a lot. His mother made a border of clam shells from the Mississippi River around her garden plot, so the rangers today have the same thing. Didn't know he was a Quaker. Did everyone flip out about his religion at the time?
From West Branch, we stopped at Coralville Lake to check out the Devonian Fossil Gorge. Very cool. Following are pictures of fossils easily seen all over the place in the rocks. LOVE the patterns of the colonial coral.
After the fossils, we headed for the Amana Colonies to have lunch. We've dined at the Ronneburg and we've supped at Walt's Brick House. We decided to try the Ox Yoke and it was also very good--loved my schnitzel. Ah, German food! We finally made it to K's parents in Des Moines. His dad carried my suitcase upstairs for me (always treats me like royalty) and his mom made chicken and noodles for K. Both of our moms really try to cook something special when we visit. I suppose it's a universal mom thing. Could we possibly pack anymore into our days?
We have loved our visits to West Branch too. How cool is it to have a presidential library practically in our backyard? I'd like to visit others.
ReplyDelete