Contest Finalist Picked in Iowa

Well, the actual Finalist is not in Iowa but I picked this week’s winner from Iowa – I’m excited to report that I’m visiting Leigh!! And, boy, am I having a blast! My trip began with a train ride from San Francisco that snaked through glorious countryside in California, Utah, Nevada, Colorado, and Iowa. Then, 49 hours later, I arrived in Ottumwa, IA.

Thank God I had a chance to rest on the train because running around with Leigh and her husband, Michael Lemberger, takes LOTS of stamina. On my first day, our 400 mile road trip took began in Eldon, IA, where we posed in front of the house Grant Wood used in his famous painting, American Gothic.

Then, we were off in search of Fall foliage along the Mississippi River. Only, human navigation error (the cause of which is still being debated) resulted in us taking a different route. We were too early for Fall colors but Michael, a professional photographer, got fantastic shots of a covered bridge somewhere between Gladstone and Oquawka, IL, as well as old houses, dilapidated barns, cornfields, and more.

Several hours and 300 photos later, we arrived in Rock Island, IL at Hunter’s Club, for half-pound burgers (made behind the bar) and fries. After waddling to the car, a quick drive took us to The Source, a fantastic used bookstore in Davenport, IA, where I picked up Opium, a book that I didn’t need, for a story I’ll probably never write, to our ultimate destination: An exhibit at the The Iowa Welcome Center, featuring 34 awesome photographs from Michael’s collection.

Can you believe we did that all in one day? Check back next week for more of Leigh and Rachelle’s Iowan Adventures.

Oh, and in between eating and traveling, we did manage to pick this week’s finalist and mini-critique winner.

Best,
Rachelle