3-28-2016 DES MOINES, IA

A lot of people don’t think 460 miles is a long way to drive in a day.  Rob and I are not two of those.  We like to stop on a whim to look around and see interesting things.  Today was not such a day.  We took turns driving twice each.  (Fortunately, we have a hotspot on Rob’s phone so I was able to answer lots of letters and continue the fun of writing, editing and doing the photo work that the blog requires.)  The highways and byways pass many a farm equipped with several silos; rivers, small lakes and occasionally, big ones are scattered generously everywhere, thawed and rippling.  This area is no stranger to wind and windmills in the fields pump water into the stock tanks for the thirsty range animals.  I thought Nebraska was called, “The Cornhusker State,” but frequently, I see, “The Windmill State.”  Hmmm.  The wide open spaces are harvested and manicured awaiting the upcoming planting season.  Flocks of wild turkeys wander around the mowed fields.  Geese and ducks have made the flight back for the warm season and cruise around on the river banks.  Baby rodents are hiding from hawks and vultures soaring in the wind.  Broad leafed trees are sprouting buds.  Ranges are dotted with livestock and one hapless cow who had her head, ears and tag tangled in the fence.  Ah, Spring has sprung in the Heartland.

We two at Hessen Haus

We arrived in Des Moines late in the afternoon just in time for the cocktail hour.  We weren’t sure about finding an interesting place to eat but Rob surfed around and hit our version of a jackpot.  He found the Hessen Haus and we were off like a prom dress!  The Hessen Haus used to be a bus garage and it is, therefore, long and tall.  The finishings are beautiful rich wood, lights and glass.  My beloved filled his requirement for wienerschnitzel while I took the waitress’s recommendation of a pork chop smothered in mushrooms and white wine and cheese sauce.  The food was delicious and the German beer was ice cold and refreshing.  We really enjoyed the evening then fell fast asleep after a rather long day.

Lindy at Hessen Haus

The next leg of this trip will be spent with the Kraus clan.  More to come!