On our last leg

Up early today. It was time to go. We could feel it in our bones.

Right away we were struck by how suddenly there seems to be more traffic in this area (Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota – not exactly New York City or anything).  And starting in Omaha, we are in a whole new ecosystem. We are getting back to the lush climate we are used to in Minnesota.

Jan in front of the Iowa State Capitol

To follow our theme, and to break up the 7 hour drive, we decided to stop at the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines. It is the most beautiful and ornate of all the capitols we have seen. It has five domes, the biggest one of which is gold leafed. The entire inside is hand painted and hand carved with incredible detailing. As the tour guide said (and this time we timed it right so we could get a guided tour – at least most of one), you could never build this capitol now. The craftsmen were new immigrants who brought skills with them from Europe who could support their families on one dollar a day. It took 15 years and a little less than 3 million dollars to build – completed in 1886. They have spent over 300 million in recent years alone to restore it.

This was the first Capitol building that scared me. We climbed (somewhat painfully) 298 steps in a spiral staircase – only to emerge into a narrow walkway in the dome. That railing was not nearly tall enough to convince me, as I walked the circumference, that I could not tumble to the beautiful tile floor 15 or so stories below.

Inside the big dome. We went pretty high up there. Yikes!

Inside the Iowa State Capitol

The state senate floor

Thinking that the state capitol reflects the culture and value of the local citizens, I was surprised to find such an ornate treasure in Iowa. And I mean no disrespect to Iowans. I just think of them as pragmatic and down to earth.  The capitols of North Dakota and Nebraska are so much more simple and linear in design. (In contrast, Montana’s capitol is quite ornate, which makes complete sense – what with the gold rush and all.)  Yep. Iowa has me fascinated.

Iowa's first ladies in their inaugural gowns

Welcome home!

After leaving Des Moines, all we wanted to do was get home. Sightseeing is for those with leisure time. We were transitioning away from leisure and toward expedience. Get home; unload and unpack; do laundry; buy groceries; make dinner…and then...relax. Of course we hit a complete traffic jam at the southern edge of the Twin Cities metro area. But we made it. Here we are!

I'll save my reflections -- and there are many -- for another post. For now, I'm going to start getting caught up on what's happened since we left. Starting with watching all the episodes to-date of Marvel's Agents of S. H. I. E. L. D. Woo Hoo!!!!!