Author Archives: Jeff

Jan 06

Greetings from Hoth

Posted on Monday, January 6, 2014, at 12:33 AM by Jeff

When it gets below 250 Kelvin, you know you’re in trouble. Remember, being cold builds character. Des Moines’ three lowest highs for Jan. 6 are -10, -3, and a balmy 1 above; Waterloo’s are -15, -6, and -5. Monday’s temperature … Continue reading →

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Jan 04

On the DOT’s new logo

Posted on Saturday, January 4, 2014, at 2:46 PM by Jeff

When the Iowa Department of Transportation released its redesigned homepage in July, I was very disgruntled. I saw the triumph of style over substance, a three-button splash screen that obscured more than it helped. (In other words, I had the … Continue reading →

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Jan 03

IA 2 no longer runs through Fort Madison

Posted on Friday, January 3, 2014, at 11:00 AM by Jeff

December 18, 2006: Near the foot of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad bridge across the Mississippi River in Fort Madison, all three components of this sign assembly have changed: US 61 is now Business 61, the Hiawatha Pioneer Trail … Continue reading →

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Jan 02

I know I write a lot about feeling old

Posted on Thursday, January 2, 2014, at 8:29 PM by Jeff

…but this is ridiculous. I hope the mailman was in error.

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Jan 02

Ox Yoke Innterstate on I-80 closed

Posted on Thursday, January 2, 2014, at 12:04 PM by Jeff

The Ox Yoke Innterstate restaurant at the I-80/US 151 interchange has closed, reports the Cedar Rapids Gazette. The original in the Amana Colonies will remain open. Business likely suffered after the Wasserbahn water park across the street closed in June. … Continue reading →

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Jan 01

Happy and sad

Posted on Wednesday, January 1, 2014, at 4:14 PM by Jeff

The ISU men’s and women’s basketball teams went undefeated in non-conference play. It’s the men’s best start ever (12-0) and one of the best for the women (11-0). So, squee? Squee. But on a sad note, Johnny Orr died on New Year’s … Continue reading →

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Dec 31

For the second time since 1956, Iowa added no new four-lane roads

Posted on Tuesday, December 31, 2013, at 12:47 PM by Jeff

October 19, 2002: View from D Avenue in Grundy County during construction of a 27-mile four-lane segment of US 20. The freeway opened ten months later. It’s time for the five-year update map to the timeline of Iowa’s four-lane highways, … Continue reading →

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Dec 31

Census: Iowa has grown 1.45% since 2010

Posted on Tuesday, December 31, 2013, at 1:04 AM by Jeff

According to the census estimate for 2013 (link to page with Excel spreadsheet which may not have the state names but is in alphabetical order), Iowa has 3,090,416 people, which is an increase of about 44,000 people and 1.45% from the … Continue reading →

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Dec 30

A year-end wrapup of my travels

Posted on Monday, December 30, 2013, at 2:51 PM by Jeff

July 15, 2013: One of the highlights of my Upper Midwest trip was visiting the north end of “my” highway, US 63. However, construction prevented me from clinching the entire route in Wisconsin. As 2013 comes to a close, here … Continue reading →

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Dec 28

Speed limit decrease on IA 5 expressway

Posted on Saturday, December 28, 2013, at 12:19 PM by Jeff

The Knoxville Journal Express says the speed limit will be dropped from 65 to 55 “on the stretch of Highway 5/92 from the Y intersection to the north, past the Pleasantville exits.” I am confused about where the “Y intersection” … Continue reading →

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