WInding It Up in Des Moines

To wrap up our Des Moines part of the trip, Conrad and I, along with my Iowa friends, went to the Farmers Market.  The market is huge!  It supports 300 local entrepreneurs including farmers, producers, bakers, artists and more, representing 58 of the 99 counties.  The market spans 9 city blocks.  There were several bands and music groups along the streets also.  It was a fun morning!

 Some hand made baskets

 Some of that famous, Iowa sweet corn!!

  

 After the market, we all went to lunch at Dos Rios.

That evening was our last in Des Moines, and we all gathered at Debbie's condo.  We had a lot of fun reminiscing and laughed a lot!  Everyone was good to include Conrad and the other spouses in conversation.  

My Carlisle Elementary & Junior High friends 

and spouses (and 1 daughter!)

We spent the next day, Sunday, in the Ames/Story City area.  We met one of my cousins and her husband for lunch and driving around the area.  Then it was back to Ames for supper with my friend, Paula.  Paula and I met in 5th grade at Bible Camp.  We've kept up over the years and, as usual, it was great to see her again.

On Monday morning we left and headed east on Highway 30, aka The Lincoln Highway.  It was mostly a two-lane road but we love that kind!  Our end destination for that day was Dubuque, Iowa on the Mississippi River.

Maybe I'll get some more written later tonight and finish up Iowa!