Author Archives: Jeff

Jul 07

So early it’s almost late

The Hallmark Channel has decided “You know what, they say we’re the Christmas movie station, let’s go with it in every way possible.” The premiere. Of a Christmas movie. A week after Independence Day — or six days after also … Continue reading

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Jul 03

Gladbrook residents submit petition for dissolution of district

WAIT WHAT When a town loses its only school, it hurts. It really hurts. The school district has exhausted its options, and the residents must move on with the new reality as best they can. Except, in this month-old article … Continue reading

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Jul 02

A drive through the Bohemian Alps

A trucker has put up his video log of US 30 from near Vining (but he pronounces it “Vinning”) to west of Tama on YouTube. About halfway through the segment he passes the 30/E66 junction (the split with the Lincoln … Continue reading

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Jul 01

New Iowa Sportsman’s Atlas out

A blurb in the Dickinson County News notes the Iowa Sportsman’s Atlas has been updated for the first time in seven years. What does this have to do with Iowa highways? The atlas uses Iowa DOT county maps as the … Continue reading

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Jun 30

One year ago today

An EF2 tornado hit Traer during Monday’s storm, a deadly system that lashed Northeast Iowa with vicious winds and torrential rain. — Waterloo Courier, July 1, 2014 In all, the “One-two Punch” derechos of June 30, 2014 produced more than … Continue reading

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Jun 29

Missouri trip Day 6

Route for June 27, 2014: Metcalf Avenue, US 69, K-68 becoming MO 2, I-49, US 71, I-29, I-35, MO 1, MO 152, I-29, MO 92, MO 92 Spur, MO 273, MO 371, US 36, K-7, connector to Rulo, US 159, US … Continue reading

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Jun 26

Missouri trip Day 5

Overland Park, Kansas, June 26, 2014 — I said “quarter after nine” for a wake-up call. It rang at 7:15 and 7:20. It wasn’t a good start to the day. About an hour and a half up US 160, I … Continue reading

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Jun 25

Missouri trip Day 4

Branson, Missouri, June 25, 2014 — Today, near the literal heart of the American population, was an all-American day: Getting my kicks on Route 66, visiting the museum complex at Fort Leonard Wood, finishing I-44 and US 65 in Missouri, … Continue reading

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Jun 24

Missouri trip Day 3

Sullivan, Missouri, June 24, 2014 — The first stop today came from, of all places, C-SPAN3. It had just been St. Louis weekend on the cable channel, and from a short feature, I found out that a Civil War museum … Continue reading

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Jun 23

Missouri trip Day 2

Mansfield/St. Louis, Missouri, June 23, 2014 — Laura Ingalls Wilder had a refrigerator. “Of course she had a refrigerator,” you say, “she died in 1957.” But do you think about the older woman writing the books, or do you think … Continue reading

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