Quick Trip - Greenfield~

I've tried to make it a point to visit Greenfield at least twice a year.  Once over Memorial Day weekend & again Thanksgiving weekend. It's one of only a couple times a year, Butch can get away for a few consecutive days.

Coming into town from the west on Hwy92

This year, we didn't get to do an overnight & I'd looked forward to it.  But - the storm held off & it was another beautiful day.  Not as warm as on Thanksgiving, but still very nice!

First Street Antiques~

It was a shop local weekend, we were shopping local in my old hometown :-)  Mom & I had stopped here years ago.  It was where I found the first swan planter that started my collection.  This building is jam packed with unique items.

Adair County Court House~

Once we'd parked on the square, the first thing Butch noticed was the construction.  The ADA ramp had been installed at the east entrance, sometime last year.  We first saw it during our visit last May.  It did nothing to improve the looks of the historic building.  Now, Butch guessed correctly - this addition on the west side - will be for an elevator.  If that's the case, the ramp will probably go - but the character of the building is changed forever.  The Glenwood court house, built in 1959,  built an addition several years before we arrived.  Personally, I don't care for the look, but making changes to historic structures is a difficult challenge, I'm sure.

Shop fronts~

Greenfield does so much to keep the town neat, tidy & interesting.  Even with the ongoing struggle to survive that so many of these small mid-west town's face.

Warren Cultural Center

The view of the Opera House has changed somewhat, with a cell tower in the background.  The day was rapidly turning gray as the clouds moved in & temperatures dropped.  Ed & Eva's was our final stop.  I love the store, full of hand-crafted items from local artists.  I was actually almost out the door, before I caught sight of a must-have item.  Metal art, perfect near the Cabin. 

We had time to eat before continuing on to the cemetery.  We visited my family's graves.  The flowers that I'd put out in May still looked great!  It's so hard to find anything that will hold up to the harsh weather.  I'm still trying to find something that will look good through the winter months.  We went on to Creston & took Hwy 34 home.  We ran into some rain, but the snow didn't start until the early hours of Sunday morning.

Scanlan Photography~

Glenwood is a small town, but we've found out it doesn't lack for upscale places to visit!  Today, we were invited to an open house at a beautiful facility just to the north of town.  I didn't get a photo as we went in.  Tt was snowing a cold, wet snow reminding us of Western Washington.

Bella Terre

Bella Terre is the opposite direction from where we have Farah boarded, so obviously she's in a good neighborhood :-)  Walking through the doors, was like walking into a town in Sicily!  What an amazing difference it was!  The building itself demanded your attention almost as much as the photography display.

Incredible works~

With all the warm, rich colors & we soon left our coats & began admiring the huge variety of photographs.  The very large room was filled with round tables, plenty of seating & the venue included a bar & wine bar with a nice selection of wines.

Tree & Sleigh~

Seated at our table, when I looked up - I could have easily imagined myself in a completely different country.  We enjoyed hot spiced apple cider & a selection of fresh hors d'oeuvres.  There were plenty of beautiful Christmas cookies too!

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Town in Sicily?

Another beautifully decorated balcony!

The photos themselves demanded attention.  We spent a pleasant afternoon admiring each piece. It was really the perfect time of year for our first visit. This venue is available for private parties, weddings, etc. & I can see why it's so popular.

Color abounds!

Walking out the door into the snow was almost surreal!  We crept up the hill & onto the road back home.  A great way to spend a snowy December day!

Iowa Bound! On the Road - Day 6 - We Arrive!

We were up just after dawn - with about 340-miles ahead of us to reach our goal!  Glenwood!  The horses had been quiet during the night.  The professional driver pulled in & was loading up just before us.  Here - the ground was covered with some type of thorny plant - poor Nika had gotten one in her paw.  I walked Farah - but there was nothing she wanted & I don't blame her!

Chamberlain Fairground~

The sun finally broke through the fog coming off the river & we welcomed the warmth.  After all our day's on the road, it still amazed me the way Farah was so willing to load up.  I think she could feel we were getting close now.

Our camp from the other direction~

We were quick getting to the motel in town.  Courtney was waiting & jumped in.  We didn't bother with breakfast - thinking we'd pick something up later.  It was time to make progress on the road.

Rest Area~

The wind was blowing, but we were making good time.  Somewhere along I-90 in South Dakota, Courtney exclaimed;  "What the heck is That?"  It looked like a giant bulls head...  I've since looked it up & sure enough that's what it was!

Bull's Head

From this point on - neither of us took photos.  We gave a huge shout of excitement when we finally crossed into Iowa!  At Sioux City, we started getting into traffic, heaviest of the entire trip.  I wasn't having fun & it wasn't easy to change lanes.  I tried to stay ahead of the game - making the turn south onto I-29.

The day turned gray - but the Sumac growing along the sides of the road were bright, almost neon shades of oranges & reds.  I called Mom to let her know we'd made it to Iowa!  It was one of the best - of the last conversations we shared.

Soon, we were nearing Glenwood.  We followed the directions of a Facebook friend - who'd invited us to her farm for our first night.  It was late afternoon when we pulled in - the sun had broken through the cloud cover.  We unloaded Farah into a near-by round-pen, where she had a good roll.  It was a relief to know the road-trip was behind us.  We enjoyed a Pizza, met new friends & watched the sun set.  By the time we went to the camper - we could see the lights from Omaha on the horizon.  Yes Grandma - you were right!  I was the one - who would return to Iowa!

The Great Transition~

Watching as Butch drove the U-Haul out - under the Homestead Arch - it hit home - we're Iowa bound!

Side trip to Mt. Rushmore!

 Transitions are always challenging.  I'm packing the remaining items on the Homestead.  Butch picked up David & the two of them are driving east, moving the largest part of our belongings to Glenwood!  Since these posts belong partially in two states, or on two blogs :-)  I'll cross post them here.

Butch - last morning on the road~

The house has an empty sound...  It will be with some relief - when the last of our things are boxed & we're driving east!  I'm feeling many mixed emotions - knowing that it will be months, before I fully assimilate all the changes happening! 

Butch & David leave for Iowa~
Day Two of the Road Trip~

Changing Our Stars~

  As the years have gone by & things have changed around us - so too has our attitude toward the property  in Washington - we've called home for so many years.  What would have seemed unthinkable almost 27-years ago - selling our Homestead - is something we're contemplating now.

  To follow through with this possibility - we're working on a plan.  Contacting realtors, crunching numbers & doing the research to see if we should consider a move to the mid-west, where I was born.  The thought of semi-retirement is appealing to us both.

The Hoge Home Place will chronicle the changes as we journey toward the possibility of a new home, in a new place!  Glenwood, Mills County Iowa, is at the top of the list.