Tuesday, July 24, 2007 Watertown SD to Williamsburg, IA

We left about 9 a.m. headed for Iowa. We decided to stop there and see our son in law's grandmother who is a wonderful woman of 92. We met her when she made a trip to Jackson last year and love talking to her. She is in a nursing home so we thought we would stop in.

We drove I-29 through Omaha Neb. and then east on I-80 through Des Moines to Williamsburg. It was about 285 miles....and it seems about 284 of cornfields!!! Not really, but close I think!!! There was LOTS and LOTS of corn....sometimes there was some wheat, but lots and lots of corn! Not an especially scenic day. I did take a few pictures out of the car window, but they did not turn out too well. Still HOT!!! This seemed like a good day to get out the laptop and play a few computer games while we were riding down the road so I did. It helped to pass the time. We also had a few books on tape that we had not heard yet and we have been listening to those as well.

We tried to surprise Nana a bit, but we did call ahead and talk to her and told her we were on the way. I think she was a bit surprised that we came, but glad to see us. We made arrangements to eat at the nursing home with her and had a delightful visit and meal. She is looking forward to getting back to a newer facility that is not quite ready yet. We could see it from the road and it looks like a castle! She told us about her life on the farm and gave us directions to see her house and the farm. Williamsburg is very close to the Amana colonies so after dinner we opted to drive to see the homestead and then decided to drive through the colonies. Lots of fine craftsmanship, a few wineries, and of course the Amana refrigerators and appliances. What a fascinating place. I would have loved to have spent some time there. It looked like a very interesting place. After we got an ice cream cone, we went back to the hotel and crashed. No internet here either....I think I am getting used to this....if not I am missing a golden opportunity.....