Day 2 - Winterset, IA

Day 2 started in Winterset, Iowa.  What is in Winterset, Iowa?  Why the covered bridges of Madison County.  Did you read the book or see the movie?  I did  and loved both and since we were going to be in the general area, I just had to stop.  We definately thought this was going to be a day for "Mom", but everyone ended up having a great time.  First up was a stop at the visitor's center where we received our map and description of what to see.  We decided to go and see John Wayne's house as Winterset was also his birthplace.

While we were in John Wayne's house,  Jack found a cowboy hat he had to have.

Next we decided to take a walk through the small, quaint town.  They actually still have a Ben Franklin there.  Did you have one of those stores in your home town growing up?  I did.  Unfortunately it closed a few years back.

Next we passed the bar called, The Blue Note, that was featured in the movie.  It was the bar Robert and Francesa went to for their date.  It was just as dark inside during the day, as it was in the movie during the night. 



Next we went to the cafe that Robert ate lunch in.  It is called the Northside Cafe.  We went in and sat at the bar, just as he did in the movie.  The kids thought it was so neat to be eating in the same restaurant that was featured in a movie.  I have told the kids the general story of the movie, but can't let them watch it due to the adult content.

The food was great.  Sam, Grace, Katie and I all had catfish which we love.  As we were sitting at the bar, a family walked by us and said, "Oh you must be from St. Louis", since Sam had on his Cardinal shirt.  We explained we were from PA but born and raised in Southern Illinois.  They asked where and we said, Germantown and Marion.  The man knew exactly where Germantown was and listed some people he knew.  John knew of them as well and the man had even been inside the local bar there, Cornerstone.  It truly is a small world sometimes. 
Next we were off to see the bridges. There are 6 still located in Madison County, but only 2 were featured in the movie.  They are very similar looking bridges, but each one is surrounded by completely different environments making them unique. 

The Imes Bridge

The Holliwell Bridge

This is one of the bridges that was featured in the movie.  This was the bridge that she took him to on the first day they met.  He picked flowers and handed them to her.

Cutler Donahoe Bridge

This bridge was located in a park.  While this bridge wasn't featured in the movie, there was a stone bridge that was.  It was where Robert and Francesca had a picnic.

The Roseman Bridge

This was the other bridge featured in the movie.  This was the bridge where she pinned a note asking him to dinner the following night. 

This is the edge of the bridge where people still come today to put their own love notes on the bridge.

Hoeback Bridge
This was one of my favorite bridges.  It was surrounded by fields of beautiful yellow flowers.  Of course we had to take pictures. Good thing we brought our tripod.

And finally our last bridge. 

Cedar Bridge

Leaving the last bridge

Someone had told us about a spillway as a place to take a break and cool off. 

The Girls

Looking for fish and frogs.


We ended the day by filling up the gas hog and getting pizza to go from Pizza Hut.  We still had a 4.5 hour drive to Sioux Falls, SD.  We arrived very late and left very early the next morning for Desmet, SD.  A good day.