Get out the map

I was on a Northwest Iowa road trip for work yesterday. Other staffers and I typically "group up" when doing longer trips like that one. That way we are more efficient using state cars. I rode along with Scott and Dennis from my section at DNR.

First we stopped in Pocahontas - a place where a couple Crestonians (our former hometown) are from. Dennis - the new guy to our workplace had printed out Google Maps and they were no help whatsoever. Thank goodness Governor Terry Brandstad provided a map with his photo on it in the state car we drove. Between the map and my smart phone we got around fine. I'm a much better co-pilot than driver who is supposed to be navigating. (Get Out the Map - by Indigo Girls is a good song).

I thought of Syd Hudek as we pulled into downtown. It's a pretty decent main street for a small town. We were looking at an abandoned building that the city will received grant funds to refurbish. Scott is in charge of the program that manages the Derelict Building grant funds. The goal is to keep old buildings out of Iowa's landfills. This building, originally the home of IOOF (Odd Fellows), is chock full of junk. Appliances, tanks, batteries, paint. Anything decent appears to have been taken. The owner walked away and is deeding it to Poky (that's what the locals call it). So it will be their problem. They want to get a new roof on it so the building doesn't collapse on the Ford dealership next door.

someone painted these murals on the building

the stairs were treacherous

We stopped at the landfill in Sheldon (I need to see "my people") and made another stop to see a grant project in that town at the City Hall.

It was a good trip, but a long drive back to DSM. I was glad we were able to pull the USA soccer game on the radio. What an effort by the Americans. I would have loved to hear GOAL!!! One more time for the US - taking us to penalty kicks. Good showing by the good guys though.