Cedar Rapids/Marion, IA
Here we are in the shade of the majestic hickory trees in Squaw Creek Park.
These folks apparently believe Barbie Dolls represents patriotism at its best.
Lillies grow wild everywhere in Iowa.
We had a few nice sunsets at our Squaw Creek Park campsite.
This was the location for the BBQ cookoff at Cedar Rapids' Freedom Festival.
Before the BBQ we stopped by the African-American Museum and Cultural Center. It was great.
Back at the BBQ cookoff we enjoyed the unique advertising for each event participant.
Famous Dave's BBQ is a retail chain in the south and midwest. 
Pigsfoot BBQ doesn't sound appetizing, but we thought their BBQ was the best of the bunch.
We bought some cheese  and sampled fresh cheese curds at the Kalona cheese factory.
The Iowa countryside is the midwest at its finest.
Just another picture to show the fields of corn and beauty of the country here.
Everywhere we go there seems to be a festival.  It was hot and humid so we toured the Old Capitol instead.
The Senate Chambers were a bit austere.
The House Chamber was much more ornate.  They did a nice job of restoring it.
This spiral staircase is a rare reverse spiral.  Apparently it was hard to recreate.
This is the Audior's Office.
The Treasurer worked here.
The Iowa Supreme Court made their rulings here.
Here is a reading table for the Territorial Library.
The trailer gets its first significant damage from the rough roads we have traveled.
This is looking at the underside of the bedroom slide.  Just doesn't look right does it.
Parts are breakin' everywhere!
Bill made "professional" tape repairs to keep the rain out of the cracked sidewall.
The trailer gets stripped down to get to the problems causing the cracked sidewall.
We always wondered what was under those nice, clean, white panels.
Well here is the place where a poorly welded joint gave out causing the sidewall crack.
This is Tim Wentz of Truck Builders with Susan just before we hauled our repaired home away.
The Herbert Hoover Library and Museum was interesting to tour.
The entrance to the Gallery.
The information about Hoover was well presented.  You really get a feel for where he was.
Unlike other Presidential Libraries you didn't feel bombarded with facts, figures and displays.
Following his presidency Hoover spent his remaining years working in a setting like this in a hotel.
Hoover was an avid fisherman and it brought him a lot of joy.
Hoover and the first lady were laid to rest here near the library/museum.
Nearby some homes were restored to the time of Hoover's boyhood.
The Amana Tea House.
This odd looking contraption is a warping reel and it is still in use today.
After the warping reel does its work the spools are brought here to produce material.
This is the hand operated version used in the "old" days.
The Communal Kitchen was a popular and busy place in the colonies.
Across the street the Cooper worked his magic.
While they lived a simple life people in the Amana Colonies enjoyed the beauty of nature.
This is the Colony Inn at the Amana Colonies where we had lunch.  It was old fashioned and good.
Trailer Repair
Hoover Presidential Library
Amana Colonies