Fourth of July

This day had been so hard to plan for but I'm pleased with the way it turned out. The plan worked, Yeah :-) Independence is a pretty good size town with a larger river flowing through and a large old mill that was the economic mainstay for years and now being renovated. We drove into town, parked by the mill, crossed the river, and walked down the street to find a spot to watch the parade. We found a great spot in the shade, set up our chairs and waited. People were lined up and down the street sometimes three deep. It was a big deal. The parade started off great with three little planes flying over and the color guard and old veterans and the block long the high school marching band with the flag girls behind them. Then came all the fire trucks from six or seven different towns. There were probably fifty all spiffy and shining and all the firemen and their kids waving and throwing candy. The parade went down hill from there. There were the politicians and the businesses. They did have the teacher of the year and a few people like that but they were just in cars. I think the only royalty was Miss Pork. The exciting entrees were the old tractors. There was not one float or clown. It was cars or trucks one after another advertising their business and throwing out candy. It was better than Halloween, the kids had brought bags to carry it in. Meanwhile even in the shade I was dripping sweat.

Then we drove to Dyersville see the Field of Dreams. It was a busy day. A large group was there playing ball when we got there and having a good time. It was exactly like the movie. So wierd. The corn was up. The grass was green (which meant it had been watered as all the other grass in the area was dry and brown). We sat in the stands and watched the game. I bought some shirts for the boys and we moved on.

We hit the Mississippi river and it is sooo beautiful. I am in awe. We drove up the Iowa side for awhile taking the time for pictures at Gothenburg dam and lock as well as Pikes Peak park. We arrived at Effigy Mounds with enough time for the two mile trail. It was hot but shaded with the eastern forest. That was wonderful for me to walk through. The mounds were interesting, but difficult to really see and comprehend. A different time of year might help when the vegetation isn't so tall. Then we crossed at Prairie du Chen and drove up the Wisconsin side. It was huge and bordered with tall and steep bluffs. When the ice sheets melted during the last glaciation the huge torrents had carved down the sides of the river channel. I thought the Columbia river was amazing. But this was almost too much to grasp.

Arriving in Lacrosse we had time to settle into our hotel before heading back into town to find a spot to park and get to the park and find a place to put our blanket. We found a great spot and had wonderful fireworks. While we had been driving we were listening to the Little Town in the Prairie book. They celebrate Fourth of July in that book with a speech and the reading of the Declaration of Independence It was good to hear it on the right day. Happy Independence Day!