If you've never seen dozens of full-size hot air balloons take off into the morning sky, you are missing a real treat! I finally got around to seeing the morning ascension of balloons during the Labor Day Balloon Classic, and it was worth getting up early!

Somebody's classic roadster in Colorado Springs.

Gerald's Friends in Ottumwa, Iowa

All pictures taken around July 4, 2013 in Ottumwa and Blakesburg, Iowa.

For pictures of Gerad's 64th Reunion, please click here.
For pictures of Blakesburg, please click here.
For pictures of Ottumwa, Iowa, please go here.

Eugene

Wilma

Gerald and his niece

Gerald and Yours Truly, the Dos Amigos

Not the best pictures, to be sure, but the darn turkey wouldn't stand still! Anyway, this is what you would see if you stumbled upon a wild turkey just doing its thing.

Ottumwa, Iowa, July 2013

For pictures of Gerald's 64th Reunion, please go here.
For pictures of Gerald's friends, please click here.
For pictures of Blakesburg, Iowa, please click here.

Ottumwa is a quiet, middle-America town. This is right near the river, Riverside Park.

The Des Moines River flows through Ottumwa

The Amtrak lines

The central business district

There is fine cuisine in Ottumwa, don't know the story about this particular place.

Some of the houses are quite nice. Most aren't this grand, though.

Schoolkids on a day trip. Nice to see this kind of event going on, should be able to do this everywhere, the world would be better.

Downtown Ottumwa, Iowa, courthouse to left, church to right.

Turkey Island in the Des Moines River.

The Ottumwa hydro intake. "The City of Bridges."

The outflow from the hydro plant.

This was the local new car sales lot.

If you like old cars - you have to like this.

The Big Chief is taking a rest. He used to be atop the courthouse.

The Big Chief

The Big Chief used to stand on the Courthouse roof, above the central doorways

Typical street scene in Ottumwa, Iowa

I just love these old cars.

Gerald having a little fun.