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.

Middle America in the Summertime

A video and some pictures from middle America taken around July 4, 2013. To wit, Blakesburg, Iowa.

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


The above video was taken at the annual high school reunion on June 29, 2013. Blakesburg High ceased to exist in the mid-'70s because the town just wasn't big enough to support a high school any longer. They later tore down the old schoolhouse, but fortunately the gymnasium remains. This is where they have the class reunions every year.

This was the Fourth of July celebration, held in the town square

I like this one, just think it sets up right.

She was actually quite accomodating about having her picture taken

She was a good sport. Really, she was.

Chicken Bingo. A chicken is put in a cage, and people bet where it will poop. I am not shitti... kidding you.

This was the back-up chicken. I think he felt left out.

To end the suspense, he eventually went on Number 8

There was a throwing contest, measured with a speed gun. The boys were in the 40s, the girls in the 30s.

This boy won at Chicken Bingo! Asked who he was, he replied, "I am awesome."

This is the Blakesburg aerodrome.

Apparently, the owners became rich in California and decided to go ostentatious.

Goodbye, chicken!!!