July 13, 2009

There are six remaining covered bridges in Madison County, Iowa and today we visited each of them.

Hogback Covered Bridge, built in 1884 by Benton Jones, it measures 97 feet.

Roseman Covered Bridge, built by Benton Jones in 1883, is 107 feet long and was in both the book and film versions of The Bridges of Madison County.

Cutler-Donahoe Covered Bridge, built by Eli Cox in 1871, is 79 feet long. It was moved to Winterset City Park in 1970.

Holliwell Covered Bridge, built in 1880 by Benton Jones is the longest bridge, measuring 122 feet.

Imes Covered Bridge is the oldest remaining covered bridge, built in 1870.

Cedar Covered Bridge, completed in 1883 by Benton Jones. It was destroyed by arson in 2002 and the above replica was dedicated in 2004.

We returned to Winterset to have lunch at the Northside Café, also featured in the movie,
The Bridges of Madison County.

In the movie, Clint Eastwood sat on the stool to the left of this gentleman.

The beautiful courthouse in Winterset.

It had been many years since we shopped in a Ben Franklin. I bought a Madison County, IA Covered Bridges hat.

After lunch, we drove back to the west to see Patriot Rock. For the last nine years, Ray (Bubba) Sorensen has painted a Memorial Day tribute to our servicemen and servicewomen on this 56 ton, 12 foot high granite boulder. It is about 35 miles west of Des Moines, Iowa and 1 mile south of I-80, exit 86, on Iowa State Highway 25. Here are a few pictures of this fantastic artwork.

This is a must see if you are ever in Iowa.

Thank you, Ray Sorensen, for sharing your patriotism with the world.