Category Archives: Road Trip

Nader Road Trip: John Wayne Museum

Yesterday was Anela’s birthday. Since I am a horrible person I had her birthday mixed up and forgot to wish her a happy birthday. So I will do that now:


Baughers - 2022
Happy birthday Anela!

I hope your birthday WAS magnificent and I will see you at the party on Friday!

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After Nader and I left Winterset City Park, we came back and went to the John Wayne Birthplace Museum. I have been to the outside of the museum several times, but I have never been inside. Going inside was somewhat unfinished business for me of a personal nature. So I was very glad that I finally got to do it.

Here are some pictures of the museum and some pictures when we went back to downtown Winterset before leaving for out next stop.


Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

Winterset, Iowa

I need to point out that while I enjoyemany John Wayne movies, I freely point out that he was a garbage human being. John Wayne was a coward’s coward. A draft dodger that hid behind his wife and children to avoid fighting in WWII, all the while cheating on his wife with another woman. He was a notorious bigot and an informant to one of the biggest black eyes in American history… the House “Un-American” Activities Committee. One of the biggest black eyes in American history, so far.

I’m pretty good at separating art from artist. So on this occasion I would like to share my John Wayne Movie Power Rankings. I’ve probably seen only half his movies and even that is probably a generous assessment. So factor that in if you want to come at me that THE CONQUEROR is is his best movie, well, not that one. I’ve seen that one.

JOHN WAYNE POWER RANKINGS

10. Rooster Cogburn
9. Big Jake
8. The Searchers
7. Red River
6. The Quiet Man
5. Rio Bravo
4. McLintock
3. Sons of Katie Elder
2. True Grit
1. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

As always, my list is is final and beyond contestation. No questions at this time.

If you were wondering, the next stop on the road trip was to Creston to check out their sweet murals.

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2 – Eclipse Watching

After visiting Cataract I went back to meet up with the Gorshe’s at Jen’s Aunt Linda’s house. After a bit there, we loaded up and went to Jen’s Aunt Linda’s son’s house (I think) for an Eclipse Party.

Today I want to share some pictures of people watching the eclipse.


Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Watching the Eclipse

Next time we check in on the Eclipse Road Trip I will actually share pictures of the eclipse! Woot! Woo!

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2 – Cataract

After I left Cataract Falls I tooled up to the town of Cataract. I was lured there by promises of ice cream and a “General Store”. Both were closed and interesting to look at, so it wasn’t a nothing.

Here are some pictures of Cataract and the trip back to Jen’s Aunt Linda’s homestead:


Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana
I have so many questions and I have zero answers.

Cataract, Indiana

Cataract, Indiana

Whenever I would go on a road trip with my Mom she would always want to stop at a local bakery we would find on the trip. I kept that tradition alive by stopping at the bakery in Gosport. And if you ever go on a road trip with me you can bet dollars to donuts that we will probably stop at a bakery. And since we will be at a bakery, it will be easy for you to pay me off in donuts.

The next stop on Day 2 of the Eclipse Road Trip was the Eclipse Party. Can’t wait to share some images from that, but I will wait. 1 more week.

Nader Road Trip: Hogback Covered Bridge

Way back on April 27, I took a road trip with Nader. It was as close as I took to my traditional birthday road trip this year. Because as soon as I got home from New Orleans, Bokeh moved in and I never really felt like I should leave her at home for an extended period of time in that first month or so. Nader and I went to Winterset and Creston. At least those were the main stops.

Here is a collection of images from our first stop. The Hogback Covered Bridge.


Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge
Vandal!

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge

Hogback Covered Bridge
I guess that makes it a birthday road trip!

Our next stop was downtown Winterset.

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2 – Cataract Falls

After leaving the Cinema 67 I headed to Cataract Falls. This was the goal of my morning excursion. Cataract Falls is the largest waterfall in Indiana by volume.

Here is the confession part of this entry. I have many weaknesses as a photographer, but one of the biggest is that I sometimes accidentally change the ISO setting on my camera without noticing. I did this somehow between the Cinema 67 and taking pictures of a covered bridge that goes over the falls. The pictures I took of the covered bridge aren’t any good because the ISO setting for them are above 65000. Which, as you know, creates images that are just too noisy.

If I would have had more time, I would have went ack and taken more pictures with better settings. But I was on a time budget because the sun and moon are on their schedule, not mine.

Here are some pictures from Cataract Falls:


Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

Cataract Falls

It cost me $9 to visit the waterfall as an outsider in Indiana. But it was worth it. It was the Niagara of Indiana! I wish I could have gotten better angles, but much of the waterfall was restricted due to the large amount of rain that fell the night before and there were plenty of tree cops around to prevent somebody like me from breaking the rules.

After I left Cataract Falls, I visited the town of Cataract. But that is for next Friday.

Every Rose Has Its Thorn

We both lie silently still
In the dead of the night
Although we both lie close together
We feel miles apart inside

Was it something I said or something I did
Did my words not come out right
Though I tried not to hurt you
Though I tried
But I guess that’s why they say

Every rose has its thorn
Just like every night has its dawn
Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song
Every rose has its thorn
Yeah it does

I listen to her favorite song
Playing on the radio
Hear the DJ say loves a game of easy come and
Easy go
But I wonder does he know
Has he ever felt like this
And I know that you’d be here right now
If I could have let you know somehow I guess

Every rose has its thorn
Just like every night has its dawn
Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song
Every rose has its thorn

Though it’s been a while now
I could still feel so much pain
Like the knife that cuts you the wound heals
But the scar, that scar remains

I know I could have saved a love that night
If I’d known what to say
Instead of makin’ love
We both made our separate ways

And now I hear you found somebody new
And that I never meant that much to you
To hear that tears me up inside
And to see you cuts me like a knife I guess

Every rose has its thorn
Just like every night has its dawn
Just like every cowboy sings his sad, sad song
Every rose has its thorn
-Written by: Bobby Dall / Bret Michaels / Bruce Anthony Johannesson / Rikki Rockett
Performed by Poison

This song is maybe a little on the noise for this collection of flower images. They were taken on a trip to the State Center Rose Garden with Brandon, Elainie, and Sabas.


Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Sorrow and Gladness - 2024

Still one more collection of images from State Center left to share!

Pella Road Trip Day

I’ve shared all the tulip pictures I took when I made a road trip to Pella with Teresa back in April. But I also took a few other random pictures that I haven’t shared yet… until now!


Pella Tulip Trip

Pella Tulip Trip

Pella Tulip Trip

Pella Tulip Trip

Pella Tulip Trip

Pella Tulip Trip

Pella Tulip Trip

Pella Tulip Trip

Pella Tulip Trip

Pella Tulip Trip

Pella Tulip Trip

Pella Tulip Trip

Pella Tulip Trip

Pella Tulip Trip

Pella Tulip Trip

Last Chance Cemetery

Last Chance Cemetery

Last Chance Cemetery

Last Chance Cemetery

McHose Park

McHose Park

McHose Park

McHose Park

The last 4 pictures were taken in McHose Park in Boone. The reflection of the trees in Honey Creek feels very retro to myself. When I first started out in photography I must have taken a million pictures of things reflected in water. It was my jam. Probably still is on some level.

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2 – Cinema 67

If you haven’t seen, the Iowa Pork Producers Association announced their annual Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest Winner yesterday. Here is the press release:

Dairy Sweet Becomes Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest Winner

October 17, 2024

Dairy Sweet, located in Dunlap, Iowa and owned by Lori and Greg Thomsen, claimed the title of Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin in 2024. This marks a triumphant return to a legacy that began in 2005 when the restaurant first won under the ownership of Lori’s parents. Lori and Greg purchased Dairy Sweet from her parents in 2013 and made a strategic move to Main Street, allowing her to not only enhance the restaurant’s visibility but also its reputation for serving some of the finest pork tenderloins in the state.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association conducts the Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest each year. This spring, the IPPA garnered nearly 6,000 nominations from 532 restaurants across the state. Members and industry affiliates anonymously visited the top 40 locations this summer, scoring each on pork flavor, quality, presentation, and overall dining experience. The Restaurant & Foodservice Committee utilized these evaluations to narrow the field to five worthy contenders. A team of judges then visited each establishment to determine the top two winners. Dairy Sweet is the first restaurant to win the title more than once in the entire 22 year history of the contest.

Lori and her husband Greg have refined the tenderloin recipe over the years, shifting to using center-cut boneless pork loin for a consistent, quality sandwich. In addition, they cut and tenderize the loins in-house each week. This commitment to quality is evident in the staggering number of tenderloins they serve—approximately 40,000 annually. This dedication not only satisfies local patrons but also attracts visitors from nearby towns and beyond.

“It is a privilege for us to win, not only for ourselves but for our employees who take pride in their work and making our community happy,” Lori shared. Her commitment to her family, team and community is palpable, and it fuels the hard work that has gone into making Dairy Sweet a local staple.

Judge Phil Carey, who evaluated the top five tenderloin eateries, had high praise for the winning sandwich. He remarked, “When we walked into the restaurant, and saw that most of the customers were eating a breaded pork tenderloin… That’s how you know you’re in the right spot. Then tasting it the sandwich had great flavor, was very tender, and the light breading worked very well with the pork.” Carey’s insights reflect not only the quality of the food but also the atmosphere that Dairy Sweet cultivates, where diners are clearly satisfied.

For Lori, this victory carries a bit more emotional significance. “Hard work does pay off. My parents have both passed on, so this is such a cool way to honor and remember them. It makes me very proud,” she said, highlighting the personal connection she feels to the restaurant’s legacy. This win is not just about the award; it’s a tribute to her family’s hard work and dedication to the community both in the past, and currently as she brings her kids Mandi & Logan into the family business.

Dairy Sweet offers a cozy dining experience, accommodating around 60 patrons at a time. The restaurant is open seven days a week, closing only a few days each year, ensuring that it remains a reliable destination for delicious meals. The staff is known for their hospitality and efficiency, traits honed through their experience running the café at the Dunlap Livestock Auction, where they thrive in a bustling environment.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association is thrilled to officially present the coveted Iowa’s Best Tenderloin Award for 2024 at Dairy Sweet later today! This celebrated eatery will take home a $500 cash prize, a stunning plaque, and a banner to showcase their achievement.

This year’s runner-up is Ruby’s Bar & Grill, hailing from Stuart, Iowa. They’ll receive a $250 prize along with a plaque from the IPPA. Earlier this month, we also recognized several other outstanding finalists, who will receive top five plaques in alphabetical order:

Bronson Bar – Bronson
Blind Pig – Monticello
The Market at the Tap – Monticello

This tenderloin contest celebrates Iowa restaurants that feature hand-breaded or battered pork tenderloin as a staple on their menu. To qualify, establishments must be open year-round. Winners are unveiled every October in honor of National Pork Month, which pays tribute to the hard work and dedication of America’s pork producers.

Cliff’s Bar and Grill in Manning, won the 2023 contest.

Looks like I’ll be making a trip to Dunlap soon. Possibly next Saturday when Iowa State has a bye week.

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Now we flip over to Day 2 of the Eclipse Road Trip. I woke up early and decided to take a little spin to a park nearby that had some waterfalls. But on the way there I stopped and took some pictures of an old drive-in movie theater.

Check them out:


Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

Eclipse Road Trip Day 2

So many more pictures from this road trip to left to share!