Rodeway Inn Des Moines

Day 15
10/22/2009
Witchita, Kansas to Des Moines, Iowa
Huh, yeah, reality is coming back slow but sure and that should just about say it all. It was insanely cold this morning, 40 degrees. Ok, so a week ago I was sweating bullets in the 90 degree weather on the first full day of vacation that we did not have any rain, and now 40 degrees and rain with predictions of heavy wet snow and I 70 is closed to the west ...

... about Australia and our American experience to date. Some time passed and everyone was seated and then the bridal party arrived. First the bridesmaids and groomsmen and then the happy couple, in through the door, arms raised and to much applause. Alicia and Nate took their seats but Alicia being Alicia worried about everyone being hungry (as well as the football starting soon) so did a quick intro and got everyone eating. After dinner there were very touching speeches by Chris ...

... in the US of A. Mark and I stayed up and watched the whole game which was quite an experience and a great game. Mark had bought two cans of Fosters (750mL for $US 2 each) and cracked one at quarter time. I was tired and refused to drink mine so he drank alone. It took him three quarters to drink (and stomach) it and he wasn't so happy about it afterwards. Geelong came up with the win at the very end so we watched the celebrations and retired for the night. A big day tomorrow so sleep is good.

... We watched a short film about the Hall which was a little corny (pardon the pun) but added to the experience and then we entered the Hall. Throughout there were displays of Iowa's involvement in sport and they did a fantastic job but it was more for Iowa people or people who knew about Iowa sport. I'm a sport person and it wasn't really for me but I did recognise some names and found some interesting information. Being interested in sport I did take a little longer ...

... attached is a museum and the opportunity to take a tour through the place John Wayne wore diapers. The garden was full of Red, Blue and White flowers, it was very patriotic.

Just a quick stop off before we head to Grandmas house for a few days! So far enjoying the corn state. We hope you are all well. Love and Peace to you all, the corn(y), Bek and Jesse Train

... as did announcer Lloyd Newell’s remarks about putting aside differences and going forward with optimism.
However, nothing galvanizes Mormon Tabernacle Choir audiences like the Choir and Orchestra’s performance of “Battle Hymn of the Republic.” The roaring ovation that followed the “Battle Hymn” was rewarded with a rousing encore performance of “This Land is Your Land.” The evening ended, as usual, with an a cappella blessing ...

... rings were OK but I concentrated on trying to finish my sandwich first while keeping an wary eye on the weather outside. Check one off my food list!

I was then finally on my way to Buffalo Center where my parents and I were staying at Lola's Cottage - a nice little rental house in town. It's a very odd feeling returning to my homeland but not being able to walk into my old room at our house on the farm. While Dad still owns the farmland ...

... today, with heavier amounts to the east. Sincce I'll drop down into Colorado from Nebraska, I hope Friday'll continue my making-good-progress streak. Heading south from Des Moines looks like it'll place me right in the middle of the storm as it makes its way eastward, so that doesn't look like a good alternative. Stay tuned to see where I end up Friday night!

... we didn't go now it would never happen. So we made the decision. At first it was just a big secret. Well, we told our cats. We let our parents in on our plans because without them none of it would be possible. Sarah's parents are in town and just so happen to have a tiny "apartment" that would get us by once we sold our house, and a basement we wanted to fill with our stuff. Jason's parents are missionaries ...

... impressive as well. It goes on for as far as you can see and it really does take some getting used to that it's a lake. It's just so huge. We headed out of Chicago and didn't really know where we were heading, except Nebraska, so we stuck a pin in the map (well, actually we read the lonely planet, but it sounds far more exciting to say we decided like that) and headed for Des Moines, which is pronounced D'Moine although I didn't realise this so kept pronouncing it as Des (as in ...