Serious Snow Removal for Linn County

Ready for snow in 42N country? Linn County, Iowa is prepared for almost any snow accumulation. Huge snow drifts require big equipment. Linn County's secret weapon is the SNOGO snow plow. This two-stage auger plow can heave-ho 2,500 tons of the white stuff an hour. See if you can do that with your Toro.

Last winter's storms produced near record level of snow in the Midwest - almost a return to the levels from the 1970s. Back in 1974 Time magazine and other popular media proclaimed the eventual return of the ice age based on geologic records. Twenty years later other experts predict global warming and point to their data as evidence. A better theory is that politics entered the discussion, insisting that elected officials are the voice for nature. Gag where appropriate.

Regardless of which theory, if any, is correct the roads in these northern latitudes still need to be cleared in a timely fashion. Linn County is prepared for anything - just add snow and fuel.

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Farming Era Slips Away

Last year a nearly 100-year old farm house in 42N country was destroyed by arson. Authorities arrested several people in connection with this fire and other related farm home fires. The barn and a few out buildings remain in rundown condition.

On Friday, September 25, 2009 the last original family member of that rural home passed away. She represented the second wave of US born farm families who helped settle this area.

As a group, the Czechs helped clear and farm the land for row crops and livestock. Later their descendants became more varied in their jobs and careers with many leaving agriculture for office and retail jobs. In her lifetime she saw farming change from horse team pulled wagons and steam tractors to modern diesel tractors operating with GPS precision capabilities and air-conditioned comfort from an enclosured cab. It was quite a journey for all. Know that.

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When You Come to a Fork in the Road, Take It

The old saying, attributed to baseball great Yogi Berra, about taking the fork in the road comes into play quite often. Sometimes you make a judgement based solely on instincts, other times its random (see previous post on chaos.)

At this 42N location the decisions come fast. From one spot looking north in the top photo your choices will lead you to town (left) or to warehouse areas (right.) Looking south in the bottom photo your choices are left to a dead end storage or to the right to a grain processor.

There is another road saying to consider when you are deciding which fork to take. From Robert Frost's 1916 poem "The Road Not Taken" the final lines read:

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I —I took the 'one less traveled' by, And that has made all the difference." Know that.

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Chaos in the Wires

Like order and direction? Then don't look behind Hawkeye Downs' chaos garbage pile in 42N country. Actually its an area where various constructions materials are collected and sorted before being recycled. Hawkeye Downs consists of an ASA raceway, camping facilities and exhibition buildings. Are these tangled wires randomly placed or chaotically bundled? Probably just a clump of disorder -- for the moment. Know that.

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Umbrella Clothes Bars - 1904

Something so simple represents something so practical. A patented clothes dryer from 1904 recently was offered at auction in 42N country's Traer, Iowa. eBay sold one of these for about $50 recently. Whether you remember using one of these or not the practical technology is always something to keep in mind if you need to dry clothing. New line dryers go for $75 or so but don't look so cool. Know that.

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Iowa's Guardian of Forever

"A question. Since before your sun burned hot in space, and before your race was born, I have awaited ... a question." STOS, Ep. 28.

While not quite the time portal portrayed in science fiction, this gate mimicks the Guardian's distortion of time. By remaining chained and locked for years the Guardian has kept this wooded area secure from development. But for how long as the property is nearing sale.

Before leaving this 42N country relic it seemed to say, "Time has resumed its shape. All is as it was before," and added, "Many such journeys are possible. Let me be your gateway." Know that.

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Iowa Corn Crop Finally Begins to Dry Ahead of Fall Harvest 2009

Finally. After a cool, wet summer, 42N country in the state of Iowa is experiencing three consecutive weeks of warm sunshine and low humidity air masses.

The result is yellowing corn and soybeans, a sign that crops are maturing and drying has begun. Ag experts continue to predict that this fall's harvest of corn in Iowa will be one of the largest - some estimated 13 billion bushels - just shy of the 2007 record of 13.04 billion bushels.

To those who live outside the American Midwest or have limited access to cornfields here are two looks of productive acres located in north central Iowa. Miles and miles of corn is evident but also notice the gently rolling hills. This is evidence that the "Hawkeye" state is not universally flat. Know that.

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