Downtown Des Moines Farmers Market

I had heard many good things about the DM farmer's market, and I love me a good farmer's market, but I was not prepared for the immensity and complexity of this market. In addition to the farmers hawking their freshly grown goods, there were food booths galore, as well as arts and crafts booths, and other amazing goodies. Plus there were street musicians, and people wandering around trying to sell really tiny puppies.

Speaking of the puppies, I think they are too young to be sold at the age they are, but I didn't talk to them long enough to see if they were selling them at a later date when they were more mature. That aside, they still were darling little things, don't you think?





But let's get down to the real things at hand - don't all these things look good enough to eat?



















So many sights such as a pickup truck full of cantaloupe:



Or people making amazing kettle corn in already horrifying heat:



Or someone hawking growing your own mushrooms to eat:



Refreshments were had - such as this delicious breakfast burrito:



while we listened to this guy while we waited:




I went back again the following week, and my only really exciting find was this man who did amazing weaving right before our eyes:







The details and the colors blew me away. I'm sure his work was very expensive, because it was amazing.


So if you're ever in downtown Des Moines, during the summer & fall (i think), check it out. It'll be well-worth your time!

The (Covered) Bridges of Madison County

Did you know that the Bridges of Madison County (book and movie) take place in Madison County, IOWA? I admit, I haven't read the book nor seen the movie in a long time. It turns out, that these covered bridges are located a mere 30 miles away. Most of the info found below is borrowed from here



Originally, there were 19, but now there are only 6. The map we found actually listed a 7th that was ruined but we could not locate it. Apparently, someone burned it down in a fit of broken heartedness.

The remaining bridges were built by two different people: Benton Jones and Eli Cox and most remain on their original site.

Hogback



Hogback Bridge was built in 1884 and renovated in 1992, is 97 feet long and is in its original location.

Roseman



Roseman Bridge was built in 1883 and renovated in 1992, is 107 feet long and is in its original location. It is the more well-known of the bridges as it is featured in the movie and the book. Also considered haunted.

Cedar





Cedar Bridge was built in 1883 and renovated in 1998. It is featured on the cover of the book and is featured prominently. It is no longer in its original location, and was actually destroyed by an arsonist in 2002. It was rebuilt according to original specifications and rededicated in 2004.

Holliwell





Holliwell was built in 1880 and renovated in 1995. It is the longest at 122 feet and remains on its original site. It was featured i the movie.

Imes





The Imes was built in 1870, making it the oldest and renovated in 1997. It is 81 feet in length and has been moved twice from its original location.

Cutler-Donahoe





The Cutler-Donahoe bridge was built in 1870 and renovated in 1997. It is 79 feet in length and one of two bridges to featre the pitched vs flat roof. It has been moved once from its original location.