The last two nights Ada and I had the pleasure of staying at a special place with special people. This place is in Iowa, but not in the cornfields, in Mason City, but not in the City, as the view is all grass, trees, and birds, in a neighborhood, but not...more like a cul de sac/circle of friends. This neighborhood has no fences; each extensive lawn and landscape blends with the next, as do the neighbors, who are like one big family. We were visiting Jim and Carmen Loveland and the neighbors and good friends joined us last night for a smoked pork loin feast - a meal we all agreed was a "best ever" event. As background to how we ended up on this adventure, Jim Loveland stayed in my guest house in 29 Palms when he was working as a contracted LEP (Law Enforcement Professional) aboard MCAGCC Marine Corps base in 29 Palms about a year ago. He invited me to visit with them when I made my next trek across country. Besides being a retired police officer, Jim is a brick layer, wood craftsman, and house builder. This house they built is beautiful, and has been their family home for many years...always getting the benefit of a new project here or there.
Jim gave us a tour of Mason City, which included the old bank and hotel designed by Frank Lloyd Wright in 1910. It has been fully restored, and is one of the finest and only remaining examples of this famous Architect and era. Wonderful!
Ada and I left Mason City, Iowa this morning, drove north all day through the green lands of Minnesota, and we are camping on a lake in Wisconsin tonight. As we ate our macaroni and cheese with hotdogs, we judged last night's feast better....by far!!! Love, Liz
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