October 2, 2014

After a couple of days without any entries I guess it's time for an update.

On Tuesday we decided to take a short trip down to Winterset to see the birthplace of John Wayne.  It was sort of a disappointment.  He was born there but when he was 3, his parents moved and when they did, they took everything with them.

 Of all the artifacts and pictures, there were only 2 things there that John Wayne used.  The eye patch used in the movie Rooster Cogburn and a satchell that supposedly he owned.  Everything else there were either reproductions (guns, movie props) of the time when he was alive,  things that were donated or letters from actors written for the 100th anniversary of his birth.  Pictures were not allowed.

 If you have ever seen Bridges of Madison County, this is a replica of the original Cedar Bridge that was destroyed by arson in 2002. 

On Wednesday we took a trip into Des Moines to see the State Capitol building and do a tour.

The roturnda, decorated with Gold Leaf is also decorated with the symbol of the Grand Army of the Republic.

 The old Superior Court Chambers is still used for meetings today.  Below is a piece of Mahogany that was carved by William Metzger who was only  20 years old when it was done.  When the court went from 5 to 9 judges, 40 years later, he was still around to expand the project by 3 panels on each end.

 The senate chambers.

Tom asked the tour guide if she knew why the picture of the current President appears to be a little bit lower than the other two.  She didn't know.  The picture in the house chamber is also low.  Is Iowa a republican state?

 The murals on the 2nd floor, measuring 15 by 6 are done in mosaic, and are located at the top of the Grand Staircase. 

 For more on the mosaics visit...   Iowa mosaics

 We were fortunate enough, being a tour group of 2, to have been allowed up near the top of the rotundra. 

In the afternoon, we were able to wear down our energy at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.  There were about 1000 quilts displayed.  Quilt Week

 Many of the quilts were on display for their art work while some were wall quilts.  There were different categories of judging but many were not entered for judging.

A unique theme for a quilt?

There were many vendors all around the hall floor.  A good place to wear down the credit card.  Tom was happy to get out with 12 bucks and change.

Yards and yards of fabric...and fat quarters by the boxfull.

 Tom voted for this one as best in show.

 Some of the winning displays in the hand quilted section.

A first place winner in an amazing display of use of color.  This one was from Japan.  There were 3 quilts from the state of Maine that were entered.