One of Johnny Cash’s songs begins, “I’ve been everywhere man,”  and that’s how I feel! Like I said earlier, what I’ve seen of Nebraska isn’t as spectacular as driving through Iowa. I NEVER thought I’d say that and I’m still stunned that I’ve written it and you Nebraskans, please remember that I don’t allude to the whole state but just what I’ve seen. Granted, it’s limited but the expressways either draw me in or they don’t.

Iowa? It’s some of the prettiest farmland I’ve ever seen. Yep. Iowa! It has some of the neatest farmhouses and farm outbuildings on pristine soil. Most of what you’re going to see in this post is just that. I couldn’t help myself. It’s the farm girl in me that attracts me like a magnet to these scenes. If I had time, I’d just come to Iowa to photograph farmhouses and be happy.

So, here goes!

Tail end of Nebraska and beginnings of Iowa

Countryside starts to morph

And cool, old barns start to appear:

And strange-looking silos look like they’ve multiplied like mushrooms under a common canopy!

And this beautiful Thrift-looking plant grows wild all over the sides of the highway decorating the right-of-way in shades of lavender.

Then the hills start to roll structures into the treeline.

And hills continue to deposit buildings at the tree lines.

Now the most amazing array of outbuildings and farmhouses appear…

see what I mean about the outbuildings:

Great old barns

and interesing looking outbuildings pop up

And, while you’re at it, throw in a good handful of wind turbines to confuse the eye!

And, lastly…

and then…the Mississippi River! Nope, didn’t take a picture of that! By the way, it was the healthiest waterway I’ve seen this whole trip! Such a contrast to last year when all the great snow flooded  farmlands and meadows I passed by during last year’s Great Adventure. This year, Nevada ain’t the only dry state! I couldn’t believe that it was 70 degrees at 8:00AM in the morning in Boulder, CO! I also couldn’t believe how dry the creek beds were or how low the rivers have been all through California, Oregon, Colorado & Nebraska.

Well, I’m cashing in for the night because I’m in Illinois now and need to rest up for Niagara Falls!

Happy Trails!

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