Belknap Turners to Lincoln

By Chris Turner -
But before we arrive at our destination, it's not heaven, it's Iowa. Leaving after work on Thursday, just as mom and dad deflatingly call to say they've checked into the hotel at which we will meet after a seven and half hour drive. Otis off to his doggy hotel with Gary and Ginger, pre-prepared dinner in the van on I-94 near Kalamazoo, DVDs on the mobile player, rain to go with the traffic just west of Chicago, pancake flat Illinois farmland, a twilight crossing of the Mississippi river, and finally, the Iowa City Travelodge. A groggy dad greeted and had pre-registered us (thank you), we visited with the folks for a bit, divvied up the sleeping spaces, and crashed off. The rollaway bed was the desired location.


Friday A.M. Travelodge pool fun, unknown to us as the best pool of the trip.


Iowa City Sinclair mascot and a dinosaur fan.


The Iowa rest areas have art on display, and amazingly, free wireless internet available. This was taken just west of Des Moines.


Natural art: Des Moines rest area, part II.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Easy Rider?

By Chris Turner -
In the instruction phase, it's all about the confidence. In the aftermath, it's all about the freedom. Family friendly edit Original, adult version
Read more

In Memoriam: J. Morgan Sweeney, Ph.D

By Chris Turner -
Image
Our good friend, Dr. J. Morgan Sweeney, passed away while teaching in London on Wednesday, August 8, 2007. Morgan -- an Irishman by clan, an Englishman by education, and a Gotham resident during his youth (his father was employed at the United Nations ) -- returned to the United States after completing his Ph.D at Oxford , and took a job with the History Department of Michigan State in 1976. Morgan wrote and lectured on modern European history, especially British, was active teaching in MSU's Study Abroad program in London , and was especially valued and loved by former students. Click for the obituary. Not having Morgan as an instructor during my time at MSU, I was introduced to him by our mutual friend, Drew Beiter, a former student. With Drew sequestered off working in California or Wyoming or the greater Buffalo area, and me living here in Williamston or Grand Ledge, I was able to more fully develop my own relationship with Morgan. More recently, Morgan was our infreque
Read more

The Patriarch's 70th Birthday @ Arcadia

By Chris Turner -
Image
Stacy, a Grand Ledge graduate, explaining the labeling machine that was acquired from Budweiser. Cruising through the  Twitter  this winter , I note that  Aradia  -- a semi-local brewpub, and of which mom and dad are founding members -- is having what they term a 'beer dinner' on April 28, which also happens to be dad's 70th birthday. Thinking that it's a natural occasion and destination to celebrate dad, the Turner boys scheme to get him there. When we arrived (albeit, a little late, due to unforeseen Michigan Avenue construction in Battle Creek), we were provided with a brief tour of Arcadia's production facility, and given a menu agenda for the evening. Chef Sean described the evening's meal as turning food inside out, changing our perception of what we typically perceive, encounter, and eat. Tables were set up separate from the restaurant, again on the production side, where they were white-linen clad, and supplied with plates of Swiss and cheddar ch
Read more