Corn Country

Aw shucks folks, today (Wednesday) we found ourselves in Des Moines, Iowa. (Did you get it...shucks...corn...?!). Okay you try being witty day after day, just so you can draw at least one person in to read your blog! Yea...Jean!

We got up this morning with the best of intentions to get an early start on the day. Went down for breakfast, ordered up our usual feast, and had consumed nearly all of it when an older gentleman (about 75), whom Karen had conversed earlier with, came to our table. He is a retired Lutheran pastor. His wife is a retired elementary school teacher. They live in Topeka, KS. He commenced to regale us with the story of a relative who had lived in Portland and owned a restaurant, and this man's son who lived in Seattle. Gist of the story, tragic ending for both relatives.

His wife had been sitting at the table next to us. She came over and told her husband that she was going to the nearby mall to do some shopping. So the good pastor pulled out a chair and made himself comfortable. He told several more stories, and quite a few jokes (some a little edgy). He chatted pleasantly on for about 45 minutes on a variety of topics. Now don't get the idea this was all one-sided. We were just as engaged, so much so that when we finally realized that it was 11:30, we had to politely excuse ourselves. We sprinted hustled back to our room to pack up and check out before noon. Got everything into the car and sped off.

We rushed to get to the Governor's Mansion for our 12:30 tour. Found a parking space on the street and hurried to find the starting point of the tour, the carriage house. To our surprise, and delight, we were the only people there for a tour. We were greeted by a capable and sagacious guide named Subbu Varanasi. He was born in India, came to the US in 1991. He has lived and worked in many different parts of this country. He is a bright and enthusiastic person. He made the tour of the mansion appealing because he was able to not only tell us about the house, but also about the previous owners and the present occupants. For the exciting story behind the Terrace Hill Governor's Mansion, click here.

Don't we look good standing in front of our new home?

Karen is talking with Subbu. He is quite a character. We found out that he speaks six languages, owns a translation company (in India), was a taxi driver in NY, is a licensed masseur, and volunteers as a docent at the mansion.  

As we were leaving the tour, we spotted Subbu's vehicle!

State Capitol - Des Moines, Iowa

Lots of marble and sculpture

The world's largest painting of corn, of course.

The six panels in the photo...

are glass mosaic tile. Created by an Italian artist.

A beautiful law library.

And for dessert...a long winding staircase up to...

the balcony in the dome!!!

We have never gotten to climb up into a dome before.

The acoustics were so great that if you whispered on one side of the dome,

a person can hear you clearly on the other side.

The ceiling in the dome seemed so close,

you could just reach out and touch it.

The Capitol is still in a major renovation. It is scheduled to be completed in a few more years.

A view of part of downtown Des Moines.

We headed out of town right after our tour was completed. Made a beeline for Omaha, NE. More neat farms and lots of crop land. Took about two hours to drive the distance.

Til we meet again, I remain, your "cornfed" correspondent.