We decided to go back to the State Capital Building to check out the library because in reality who knows if we ever make it back to Des Moines.
We thought we’d only go to the library part of the tour but we stayed for the whole hour and it was all super interesting. And a beautiful State Capital building it was. It was built back in the 1880s and most of it is still original and has not been modernized.
book on left ~ from the 14th century handwritten on sheep skin book on right ~ Benjamin Franklin printed this book on his own hand printing press over 4,000 crystals Czechoslovakia beautiful mosaic artwork
We were on our way to Omaha when Edwin sent this picture to Brian
I’ll be there in 8 hours. Perhaps we should’ve done a complete change of plan because we decided to continue on to Omaha, hit the covered bridges which resulted in a late arrival, early departure and not sure if we can really cross Omaha and/or Nebraska off of our list.
covered bridges of madison county
And maybe we shouldn’t have stopped into TJMaxx while Edwin was at the auto part store to get these unnecessary yet somehow much needed ugly sweater xmas skirts
Thanks James and Abby for letting us pop in. Your kids are adorable (as you would suspect a Doubrava/Kane cousin would be) The girls loved your kids and if not for our run down to KC we would’ve loved to stay for a bit longer.
and little baby Sawyerif the kids weren’t enough the ice cream sundae definitely won them overnothing like running into a someone throwing away all their “junk” into a dump
We had fun with Cunci and Mattia, picked up our packages and decided to head south to Des Moines, Iowa and visit our friend Rachel. Rachel and her 5 year old Kai already had plans for an all Saints Day party that we decided to join. We pulled into Des Moines at 4 and the party didn’t start until 6 and Rachel got of work at 5 so we went to the state capital to look around. Edwin remembers reading somewhere that there was a model of the USS Iowa, the battleship his cousin was on so we went to go check it out.
On our way out they asked if we had seen the library yet and responded “no” to and they said “oh you should come back tomorrow it’s the nicest library’s in the country number 37 on the top 50”. You could’ve told us this 10 minutes ago… but ok.
As we left and started driving through downtown along the Des Moines River we noticed all these Beto O’Rourke signs and a big grouping of people and cameras so I decided jump out of the RV and check it out as Edwin found a parking spot. As I jumped out of the car Edwin was telling me he just heard that Beto O’Rourke had conceded via CNN
So I had just walked in to Beto giving a concession speech to his staff and volunteers. kind of cool. kind of crazy. especially since we just walked into this scenario and neither Edwin or myself follow politics very closely. I started talking to a woman to get some info on what was actually happening and asked her if she knew/was expecting this. She said “No, I just flew in from Texas for this event. I heard on CNN about an hour ago but Beto kept his meet n greet appointment with his volunteers and staff to let us personally know. mean I flew for this. I’m devastated. I’m not going there tonight anymore.” “Where?” I unknowingly asked. “To listen to the candidates.” “Which ones?” “umm, all of them.” “seriously?” “Yes it’s the democratic fundraising and iowa caucus kickoff.”
We walked across the walking bridge which i later found out is the “Iowa Wonen of Achievement Bridge” and went back to the woman to inquire about tickets. How much were they? How can I get some? She straight away offered her ticket up and after I refused she repeatedly said, I can’t go in there, not now, not after what happened, and there’s no one in there Id like to support. I liked Beto that’s why i’m here. She then spoke to some of her friends and came back with 3 more tickets. So sorry Rachel but we have to go check this out. I felt sorry for Beto’s supporters who were down trodden and crying…but we did take advantage of the situation.
It was one of those random days that reinforce why we are on this trip, and helps you believe in the karmic balance of traveling, we didn’t know we’d be in Des Moines till yesterday…
What a trip, we not only listened to Pete, Biden, Yang, Warren, Kamala, Bernie, Bennett, Castro, and the rest of them speak, but felt them speak, felt their energy. It was a very cool experience for all 4 of us. Politically all I have to say I was bummed Tulsi wasn’t in attendance, but again very interesting. I’d say the girls would vote based on the free light up sticks or “colors” of the candidates.
I do have to say I’m continually concerned about the amount of throw away garbage we go through/buy. What about collecting these light up and boom sticks and giving them to a preschool or something before they get immediately dumped in a garbage can.
We did still made it to Rachel’s in time to have the girls fall asleep on the way and have some wine.
