Aug 22 Mon, Woodbury to Iowa City, IA

Minnesota Corn Field

Spring Valley 1876 Methodist Church

There is not a whole lot to write about when all you can see for 260 miles is corn fields and soy beans as you cross Southern Minnesota and a good part of Iowa. However, in the tiny town of Spring Valley, MN I spotted a sign about an historic site involving Laura Ingalls Wilder, the author of the Little House on the Prairie series of books. About 17 months ago coming east across Missouri, we saw a similar sign in Mansfield. You can see the blog story here. This time we were in a town where Laura’s husband, Almanzo, grew up. The Wilder family bought farm land here and donated money to build the church. Laura and Almanzo lived with his parents in Spring Valley from May 1890 to October 1891 while recovering from diphtheria. Records show they attended this church. Once again I have been inspired to read one of Laura’s books. I hope they are on Kindle.

Iowa River at Cedar Rapids