I couldn't believe how excited I was to cross route 20 into IOWA!!! This was a state I had NEVER been to before and I was giddy with excitement when we crossed the border. Whether it be because of the reverence I associate it with from the movie "The Field of Dreams" (and the hallowed baseball connection), or just the visions of wholesomeness and fields and farms...Iowa did NOT disappoint!
(Edito’s note: before I proceed I MUST document that at 11:57 AM on 5/5/21 on Rte 20 in Pecatonica, IL I broke into song singing “America the Beautiful“ before I even realized I was doing it...just sayin’)
Our first stop in Iowa was pretty much right over the border as we spent Cinco de Mayo at another Harvest Host stop; the parking lot of the Stone Cliff Winery in Dubuque, Iowa. Despite the parking lot accommodations, the setting was great! The Winery is located in the historic Star Brewery Building right on the Mississippi River. So we spent the afternoon walking up the Mississippi Riverwalk and I made sure to put my toe in the water (despite the cool weather) to celebrate our arrival.We learned some of the history of the area - including how the Chippewa (or Ojibway) Indians named it "Misi Sipi" meaning "Big Water" and it eventually became known as the "Mee-zee-see-bee" or the "Father of Waters". Of course a Spanish explorer "discovered" the river in 1541 and the Native Americans (Mississippians) were forced from the land surrounding the river... Anyway it was a great stop, although we were disappointed we didn't have time to go to the National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium which was also right there on the waterfront.
The next day we were off to...(drumroll)...The Field of Dreams in Dyersville, IA. We could not set foot in the state of Iowa and NOT set foot here! As we got within 5 miles of the property I was jumping out of my skin picturing the hundreds of cars that drove these dirt roads answering the call "If you build it, they will come". We stood on the field and looked at the house where Ray Kinsella and his family lived in the movie. It was so damn magical! The place was small - but so worth the price of admission! Before we left, I had to do it...I walked over to that damn field and ran the bases!!! It took me a lot longer than it should have (insert aging out-of-shape former Apponequet HS State Softball Champion here)...but it made my heart and spirit soar!!!
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