State park trail entry point.

Journey Home

Tales from the pilgrimage.

Local Events

  • Christmas is Coming

    It’s been seven weeks since the end of apple season, now two weeks until Christmas. The glow has come off holiday seasons. It’s not that I’ve become all grinchy, hidden away in a darkened lair while neighbors illuminate their homes in festive lights. I don’t know what it is but last year we didn’t even… Read more

  • Farmers Talk Land Use

    The room was packed for the Johnson County Board of Supervisors public hearing on the County’s comprehensive plan. Current and would-be farmers were present and spoke about their profession. The hearing took two and a half hours. Supervisors have been working on the plan for two years and would like to finish it and move… Read more

  • Summer Weekend

    Dan and I visited the Ciha Fen Preserve across the Cedar River in Johnson County on Saturday. “The Ciha Fen Preserve is a sand prairie/savanna complex on a wind-deposited sand ridge,” according to mycountyparks.com. “It contains the Ciha Fen, which is one of the only two documented remaining nutrient-poor fens known in the state of… Read more

  • Hope in Solon

    Yesterday’s election of Lauren Whitehead to the Solon City Council represents a turning point in local political activism. Whitehead campaigned diligently in an environment where city residents sought to become more active in politics after the 2016 general election. What she accomplished by activating local voters serves as a model for the Iowa Democratic party’s… Read more

  • Pelicans Left

    Pelicans left Lake Macbride this week. They were gone when I drove across Mehaffey Bridge Road on Monday. Have they depleted the fish stocks and gone to better hunting grounds? Did they detect something in nature that triggered migration? I don’t know, but hope they will return in the fall. Pollination of fruit trees appeared… Read more

  • Defining Community

    Each of us defines community through our engagement in society. Whether participation is passive, active, or in between, our lives and how we live them contribute in a meaningful way to how we live with others in a community. Not everyone is a joiner. For some the focus is on the county seat, the state… Read more

  • Solidarity Rally Sunday, Feb. 5

    Dear Iowa community organizers, In these challenging times, we urge Iowans to come together and speak out against the recent bigotry and hate towards immigrants and refugees. Organizing in support of these groups ensures we are a more united and unified country. You are invited to the “Solidarity Rally” this Sunday, February 5th. The rally… Read more

  • New Year’s Eve Review of 2016

    2016 was the year of the 1997 Subaru. By choosing an old car as my main vehicle I got a low purchase price and issues related to a 20-year old car. A leaking head gasket took more resources than expected to diagnose and repair. The car went to the shop three times beginning in September,… Read more

  • Report From the County Seat

    My birthday trip to the county seat included these real-world variations from yesterday’s plan: Ordered a voter list for my precinct from the county auditor to start organizing for the 2018 election and beyond. Noticed the new Zombie Burger and Shake Lab opened next to The Mill. It seemed wrong. Renewed my library card. Rural… Read more

  • After the Latest Flood

    The Cedar River crested in Cedar Rapids at 21.91 feet at 11 a.m. yesterday. As the river recedes over the next few days the temporary flood wall and earthen berms built over the weekend will be monitored for breaches. They held during the crest, protecting people and property from damage. Here’s a link to a… Read more