Bridges of Madison County

This past week Larry and I made a quick trip to Wisconsin. We were anticipating alot of river water as our route took us over the Platte, Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Fortunately for us water ran high, but not over roadway -- not yet anyway.

Enroute home we decided to stop off at Winterset Iowa -- after years of traveling to visit family in Wisconsin -- it was now time to see the "John Wayne Birthplace" so boldly advertised along I-80.Didn't take the tour, I understand that the family left Winterset when he was 6 months old ...

Of course, being of quilt-mind I did show Larry the home of Fons & Porter. There is a small shop, with catalogue sales and offices for magazine and television program housed on second floor. It was surprising to hear that everything took place within this small area ... Wow huh?
What did catch our eye was all the signage regarding the Clint Eastwood/Myrle Streep movie "Bridges of Madison County". So ... being in "tourist" mode we hit the Chamber of Commerce to get the scoop. Ver-r-r-ry informative -- so glad we took the time. We had lunch at "Northside Cafe" -- which was in the movie. Neither of us has seen the movie ... now we have the incentive to rent or purchase.The Roseman Bridge ... Where Francesca tacked her note to Robert telling him to come for supper "anytime the white moths fly". The bridge sits at a dead-end and on the edge of private property -- how distracting for those homeowners with all the sightseers!

There are only six of the original 14 covered bridges still standing in Madison County. We did not take the time to take the entire bridge tour -- we will make a special destination trip for them at a later time. However, we did take the City Park auto tour (rainy, misty day).The Cutler-Donahoe Bridge was moved into the Winterset city park to protect it from further vandalism in 1970. (It is closed to auto traffic.)

Cool little foot bridge over a dry ravine ...

"Clark Tower" constructed and dedicated to the family that helped found Winterset Iowa.

The City Park auto tour was awesome! I would have taken pictures of the treed-route, but roadway was very narrow, tire rutted, and windy with water standing ... and as "co-pilot" it was my responsiblity to keep a watchful eye!