Author Archives: Jeff

Nov 04

IA 999: The untold story (3)

Posted on Monday, November 4, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

On the official state transportation map, the highway on the corner of Iowa’s floor was stable for 20 years. There was only one change to IA 333 marked between 1943 and 1964: It was straightened to miss College Springs and … Continue reading →

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Nov 01

IA 999: The untold story (2)

Posted on Friday, November 1, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

This excerpt of Missouri football’s 1897 schedule from the 2017 football records book shows one of two games played at Amity College. The meeting appears to be part of a barnstorming tour; the Tigers’ game in College Springs comes three days … Continue reading →

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Oct 31

IA 999: The untold story (1)

Posted on Thursday, October 31, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

For decades, the Iowa Highway Commission wanted to get rid of it. For decades, residents of southern Page County begged the state to pave it. Iowa Highway 999 was both an offshoot of and substitute for Iowa Highway 333, and … Continue reading →

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Oct 30

I-380 public meeting Nov. 6

Posted on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

The Iowa DOT is holding a meeting next Tuesday (Nov. 6) in North Liberty to “discuss an Interstate 380 corridor study”. The notice mentions six-laning the interstate between I-80 and US 30 (years too late) and “interchange improvements.” At the … Continue reading →

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Oct 25

It’s ‘Back to the Future’ weekend

Posted on Friday, October 25, 2019, at 10:04 AM by Jeff

2019’s calendar is 1985’s calendar (and also 2002’s calendar), so that means that this weekend — October 25-27 — is the same Friday/Saturday/Sunday as when the Back to the Future trilogy takes place. A fan documentary is airing Friday night … Continue reading →

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Oct 24

City Hall as bulletin board; or, Meats and Treats

Posted on Thursday, October 24, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Might as well pass on the plug. October 23, 2019: Taped on the entrance to Liscomb City Hall. (IDEA: Adult costume/trick or treat for prime rib! Thermal storage bag required.)

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Oct 23

US 30-R70 exit meeting this week

Posted on Wednesday, October 23, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

As part of either converting US 30 to a freeway between Ames and Nevada or at least reducing the number of intersections, the R70 intersection east of I-35 is going to be turned into an interchange. There is a meeting … Continue reading →

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Oct 22

Blues to the Future

Posted on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

I can’t be the first person to notice this, but a glance through Internet searches doesn’t bring up any immediate hits. Watch part of this clip from The Blues Brothers, starting at about 1:33. The relevant part is pretty short. … Continue reading →

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Oct 21

US 63 in Waterloo to open in weeks

Posted on Monday, October 21, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

KWWL reports that the overpass for US 63 over the railroad tracks north of downtown Waterloo will open next month. I can’t embed the video. Plans for the overpass were put forth at the end of 2013 and construction began … Continue reading →

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Oct 18

Out of the Boondocks

Posted on Friday, October 18, 2019, at 10:00 AM by Jeff

Boondocks, USA (Williams, Iowa), October 19, 2018 — I had never eaten at the Boondocks. Here it was, this famous truck stop, in the middle of Iowa at a once-major junction, a place I passed near many times on family … Continue reading →

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