Tractors Across The USA – Aug 2nd to Aug 7th 2009
Day 37: August 2 IOWA
Everyone was ready to roll at 7.00am, but did not make it far before Ron discovered his RV brakes were not working! Nothing too series and the ever-ready team had the problem under control in just 40 minutes and back on the road again.
Once out of Dubuque, we were again in corn country, but here the plants are noticeably shorter and some have suffered significant hail damage – evidently a very rare event in this part of the country. The soy beans all looked a very healthy shade of green, although again, not very high. Because of the very wet start to the season, many crops have been planted late this year, but the current spate of dry weather is seeing their colour improve.
Around 11.00am we arrived at the Heartland Acres Agribition Centre at Independence, Iowa at the invitation of Leanne Kay, the Museum Co-ordinator. This almost new centre has an amazing collection of farm memorabilia, vintage cars and farm machinery as well as an 1869 school house. Ducks, hens and farm animals are there for children to see and enjoy.
When it was time to leave it was discovered that the minor road we should take to Jesup was in fact closed and we were relieved to have Leanne’s husband, Jim, offer to guide us through the back blocks to join on to Old Route 20 for the trip to Waterloo. On these small country roads it is very easy to get extremely lost, a not uncommon experience, and we were thankful to Jim for his assistance.
Our accommodation at Waterloo was offered by a local, Kevin Kalsen and the tractors and RV’s soon looked very much at home around his large shed. The first of several visitors to the site was Von Ketelsen, Farm Services Director for the local radio station KWMT. Von interviewed Ron by phone at Galena on Friday and decided to come and meet up with the group and conduct a couple of different interviews for his broadcasts. The guys really enjoyed chatting to Von and look forward to hearing the interviews when they come to air. Other visitors, IH enthusiasts Bob and Glenda Grant travelled quite some distance to come and see the tractors and the Aussies who drive them.
Day 38: August 3 IOWA
It was not the alarm which brought everyone awake with a jolt at 2.30am, but the severe rocking of the campers – a sudden, but severe storm hit and had us all wondering whether we were going to stay upright, but then came heavy rain and suddenly, it was all over. Had we known that Iowa suffered such heavy damage last year, we would have been even more concerned.
Then it was another early start, another unexpected delay! This time it was a tube in George’s front tyre which ‘spat the dummy’ so to speak. Once again the talented lads had the problem fixed in no time at all, and we were off to Clarion.
Driving into a small town called Allison, IA, it was noticed that all the homes were almost new which was taken for expansion of the original town. Some team members visited local insurance brokers and were given some first hand information about the disastrous storms which hit this area in May 2008 and destroyed most of the original homes in the section we had passed. Records show that 38,000 people were displaced in the Butler and Black Hawk Counties by the tornado and flooding, 18 people died and there were over 100 injuries. Had we known these statistics, we may not have slept at all!
Soon we were in Clarion and could not help but notice the ‘traffic stopper’ appearing from a driveway on the left hand side. This turned out to be an International tractor being driven by our Host in this town, Larry Maasdam, and he was there to guide us into town to visit the museum of which he is very proud. Most of the lads were interviewed by the local journalist, Dee Goerge, who had made arrangements to meet us here, then after lunch we were invited to tour the museum. This was a simply amazing experience – the ladies’ feet gave out before the exhibits – but there was more! Larry had arranged transport to take trekkers to see his personal collection of farm machinery and farm collectables. As well as several complete collections at the museum, Larry has a whole basement with purpose built display cabinets to house his outstanding collection of every imaginable farm ‘toy’. Some items are hand-made, some are tiny, some are really large, but all are beautifully displayed, along with a library of books and memorabilia, all with a farm machinery theme.
Larry and Melanie have our gratitude for the invitation to visit the museum, enjoy a wonderful dinner, then relish the opportunity to view his private collections.
Day 39: August 4 IOWA TO SOUTH DAKOTA
This was planned as a ‘make miles day’, so another early start was in order. We had camped the night at Larry and Melanie Maasdam’s property and they were also up early to make their farewells – an opportunity to again give them our thanks for their wonderful hospitality.
The day started out quite misty but without any rain and certainly cool for the time of the year. Travelling down Route R20, we were amazed at the number of wind farms. Not just a few turbines, but row upon row of them, stretching over a few miles. The sight of a majestic turbine standing directly behind one of the old barns seemed like a conflict in time.
At the lunch break at Estherville a couple arrived, having driven quite a considerable distance – the stories of the tractors and their crazy drivers have appeared in quite a few news articles and radio interviews. The lady, Margaret, was determined not to miss the tractors and phoned to find out where we were stopping for lunch and fortunately her husband was happy to drive her to meet us.
The two hundred miles set for the day was managed successfully and everyone was able to camp up at the Big Sioux Recreation Area at Brandon, just out of Sioux Falls. The daylight saving in force here in the USA allows for pleasant cool evenings before becoming dark around 8.15pm. This evening we had a visit from Gerald and Carol Smith who drove from Holstein IA after hearing the radio interview which aired on Monday. They had the opportunity to have a look at George’s tractor and chat to Ron – it is great that so many people have shown an interest in the progress of the Trek.
Day 40: August 5 SOUTH DAKOTA
As we had camped at Brandon overnight, it was not a long drive to see the famous Sioux Falls, or would not have been had we not become a bit misplaced. Actually it was lucky as it gave us the opportunity to drive down Phillips Street and admire some of the sculptures which were everywhere. This area is known as Sculpture Walk so is appropriately named. The drive to the Falls was not much further and this is a really lovely area. Falls Park is beautifully maintained with green lawns and of course the waterfalls which are a delight. The old Queen Bee Mill is just a ruin after being burnt out in 1956, but another original building, the Sioux Falls Light and Power Company hydroelectric plant has been reinvented as the Falls Overlook Café and the view of the falls from their balcony is really splendid. Carolyn found two baby birds which had obviously fallen from their nest and was advised to leave them where she had found them and hope their mum comes looking for them.
Next stop was Mitchell and we were able to make it in time to hear the radio broadcast of the interview with Von Keselsen which was taped on Sunday. The chaps did well – no ums or ahs to be heard. They are turning into real radio stars! Then it was off to see the Mitchell Corn Palace – a really different and quite amazing place – it’s origins go back to 1892 with early settlers displaying their corn harvest on the exterior of a building. Since then there have been three Corn Palaces, and the current one undergoes changes to the huge murals each year. These murals are made entirely of native grain and highlighted by multi-coloured corn. This attraction now draws more than 500,000 visitors each year.
Then it was time to head to the overnight stop at Chamberlain, SD. No-one could resist the temptation to visit this town with such a prestigious name! The road into the town weaves up and down through very pretty farmland. The RV park is located on Lake Francis Case, part of the Missouri River waterway, a really pretty place to admire the waterways.
Day 41: August 6 SOUTH DAKOTA
We experienced yet another rainstorm overnight and found a rather damp outlook when daylight arrived – we estimate that we have probably had about as much rain as those at home where it is mid winter!
Between showers, we managed to take some photos of three of the tractors at the ‘Welcome to Chamberlain’ sign, but it was difficult to line them up with a lot of early morning traffic appearing on the scene at 7.15am. Then we had to drive south east to reach Route 44 West, crossed the Missouri River again and continued on that route all day.
The countryside changed quite dramatically during the day. The corn, soya beans and wheat gradually petered out while the first sunflowers were seen. Haymaking has been under way on many of the farms with many large bales in evidence. Extremely pretty green hilly countryside made for pleasant travelling, then the stark hills on the horizon made for a real contract to the driving conditions of the past weeks.
Heavy storm clouds threatened and the sky was alive with lighting, but fortunately the rain band moved off to the north and only occasional showers were experienced during the day.
The second week in August is when the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is held and this event draws many thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts to the Black Hills. Sturgis is just 28 miles north of Rapid City and this event would explain why we have seen so many motorcyclists on the roads the past few days and many signs at businesses saying ‘Welcome Bikers’. The town which normally only has a population of 7,000, must really buzz during this event.
After a long day’s travel, we were all happy to arrive at the KOA at Badlands/White River for an overnight stay before heading up to Rapid City in the morning.
Day 42: August 7 SOUTH DAKOTA
Pancakes were on offer at the KOA Park at White River and it proved to be a good start to the day. ‘All you can eat’ for $3.00 a head – our group did not extend past two each!
After having photos taken, it was time to head to Rapid City.
First stop was at Interior, just a few miles down the road. This is a very small town but with several interesting old buildings – two old Churches which were very well preserved, and the old jail, only about 10 feet square. The whole place has a real ‘western’ feel and has the backdrop of the magnificent scraggy mountains of the Badlands National Park.
At the present time all the hills around this area are alive with the sound of motorbikes – they continue to stream down every road, either still going to or leaving the Sturgis event which will finish this Sunday.
A stop for a short break proved to be at an interesting spot – there were holes everywhere and on closer inspection, many were seen to be inhabited by Prairie Dogs which made a hasty retreat as we approached. They really do yap like dogs, so their name is appropriate, although they bear no resemblance to their canine cousins.
Then, not much further on, a dinosaur was seen to lurk – one never knows what one will see next!
Ron has been the recipient of a gift – a cap with the words “When I Die, Bury My Ashes at Wal Mart – “So I Know My Wife Will Visit EVERYDAY!” Now isn’t that kind? Then, just down the road Carolyn spied a billboard which she said looked like Ron in his new cap! These people are all heart!
After that frivolity, it was on to Rapid City to the TeePee Camping area, very close to the start of the full day tour of the Black Hills and Badlands which is planned for Saturday.
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