Epic Summer Road Trip 2019 (Day 42 & 43): Iowa – Wind Turbines, Crops, Dust, and Moths

We left the Sheboygan area soon after getting in touch with Laura and David Hommel who we were planning on meeting next.  Laura reached out to me and provided me with directions and places to stop along the way as we made our way out to their farm in Grundy, Iowa.  The land starts to shift from flat, back to hilly, back to flat in a matter of a few hundred miles.  After driving a few hours, Drew and my coffee-laden

ed bladder needed to stop so we found a National Natural Landmark called, “Cave of the Mounds!!!!”   I think you need to say that with a loud microphone and with an echo.  At least envision me saying it like that.  This place is pretty much a tourist trap that allows you to explore a cave with the ability to mine for pretty rocks.  Fortunately, we didn’t have time to go on the tour through the caves so we simply peed, made lunch under an oak tree and traveled on. 

We passed over the Mississippi River for the second time on our trip in Dubuque, IA and Laura was nice enough to recommend driving to the top of the hill in Dubuque so we could get a good picture of the town and the Mississippi River.  There is actually a cable car that will take you up and down the hill primarily, I think, for tourists.  Not a bad view, though.

We traveled out to the middle of Iowa and I couldn’t help but feel like I was in a new housing development where all the houses were the same and I had no sense of direction.  The only difference was that I was in a land of corn and soybean fields in one mile grids, but still had no sense of direction.  If there is no way to orient yourself, there is that complete sense of being lost.  I understand that these worlds are completely different, but the sense of disorientation was eerily similar between the two worlds.  I pulled into Dave & Laura’s driveway after being completely coating the truck and camper with dust around 5pm.  It hadn’t rained in a few days so all of the dirt roads are very dry and kick up a ton of dust.  If you’re caught behind another vehicle, you have to give at least an 1/8 of a mile distance or you won’t be able to see anything.  Iowa dry spell = Iowa dust. 

Dave and I met when we were at the Aurora Pre-School along with Ben Otis and quite a few others back in 1980 or there abouts.  He and his family left the area around 1987 for the greener pastures of Iowa to pick up farming and raise poultry.  I lost touch with him after he came back to the area for a brief visit back in 1989 or so.  Dave was always the bigger kid and was dominant in soccer and other sports.  It was hard to slow him down.  Despite his large stature, he was always had a big heart and was a good friend.  Nothing really has changed and I once again understand why we simply gravitate toward people we relate to and enjoy their company. 

Laura and David are crop and swine farmers which means they grow crops (primarily corn and soy beans) to supplement their primary income of raising swine.  I have never been on a swine farm so it was a once-in-a-life time experience.  Their buildings are divided out between (1) swine to be slaughtered, (2) swine to be raised, and (3) piglets.  The Hommels walked me through how they transition the pigs from one section to the next along with how they utilize the pig crap and transition it into fertilizer to grow the crops that the pigs will eventually eat.  It is quite an efficient process and parts of it are fully automated.  They are a family-run business so they are trying to remain relatively small at the same time maximizing profit and efficiency while being run solely by the family.  It is fascinating to see a small family-run business continue to survive while many family owned farms continue to be bought out by corporate farms.  Not saying that it is wrong, but there is so much pressure to feed a population that demands cheap food prices at the same time wants unsoiled (i.e. no GMO, no pesticide) foods.  What is a farmer to do?

Laura and David have two sons, Andrew (14) and Daniel (11), along with a teenage daughter named Ella (16).  Andrew and Daniel had a great time hanging out with the kids which included bike rides, soccer, and 4-wheeler rides, while Ella generally kept to herself since she is 16 years old and generally would prefer doing anything other than hanging out with family.  I’m pretty sure she is a human sponge simply absorbing everything that goes on around her, but doesn’t say a thing. 

We had a wonderful time touring the property which included Drew making multiple trips to the piglet’s section to lay down and snuggle with them.  Kind of gross, but also kind of endearing.  We set up a bonfire and watching the stars while listening to the War-of-the-Worlds looking wind turbines that sounding exactly like the Tom Cruise version of War of the Worlds movie whenever they changed direction.  Pretty freaky and not something that Dave & Laura generally appreciate.  Life in Iowa is generally a lot slower than most people experience.  I would definitely say that you have a lot more time to observe and think while in Iowa than in most parts of the country. 

Even though we’ve been traveling around the country the last 40 days or so, I am still aware of what is happening in the country right now with the mass shootings and severe racist intent in that violence.  Being in a country setting where I am completely isolated from the violence and political strife, I can see where some of these complex national issues become much more theoretical than realistic.  Dave and Laura are definitely in tune with what is happening outside of Iowa, but I could certainly see why someone can become isolated from events that might not directly impact them and form opinions based on a narrow interpretation of their world view.  I am certainly not stereotyping, but being here I could see how it is completely feasible just being so isolated.  Iowa is a beautiful place where you can see nothing but fields in all directions.    

We set out the next day for quick stride down the to the neighbor’s house owned by 90+ year old Chuck and his wife who own a very elaborate train set in their garage.  The kids and I had fun moving the trains around and fixing all of the cool little components on the track that Chuck had set up over the years.   Dave’s mom, Jane, was already there so we had a good conversation while the kids played with the dogs.  After lunch we took a trip out to the local state park which gave Dave and I had a chance to catch up while the kids rode around the lake/pond on their bikes.  We set out for dinner at the local eatery which included a nice prime rib and baked potato.  When in Iowa, you should probably eat the beef.   

After dinner, the kids enjoyed 4-wheeler rides and playing a little 3-on-3 soccer between Hommels and Mathiesons.  I can safely say that the Mathiesons dominated (sorry Dave)!  Iowa is certainly a place that should be experienced by everyone simply for the fact that it forces you to slow down. 

Large number of moths that didn't make the journey