On the drive through Pella, IA today, I ran into yet another roadside chapel, located on the south edge of town.  I could not find any official information about this quaint little house of prayer but I did manage to find this news article on Google.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

 

2012 - Calvary Wayside Chapel, Pella, IA The signage at Calvary Wayside Chapel The signage at Calvary Wayside Chapel	2012 - Calvary Wayside Chapel, Pella, IA The Calvary Wayside Chapel The Calvary Wayside Chapel	2012 - Calvary Wayside Chapel, Pella, IA The Calvary Wayside Chapel The Calvary Wayside Chapel
2012 - Calvary Wayside Chapel, Pella, IA Inside Calvary Wayside Chapel Inside Calvary Wayside Chapel	2012 - Calvary Wayside Chapel, Pella, IA Bart inside the chapel Bart inside the chapel

As usual with most of the interesting sites I visit, I stumble upon them by accident.  That's the story here as well while passing through Ottumwa, IA last weekend with my mother.  We noticed the classic brown signs pointing to the American Gothic House so we went for a visit.

Even if you don't know the name of the famous painting, you've most likely seen it and would recognize it simply from someone describing it.  It is one of the most widely recognized paintings in the world and the backdrop for that famous painting was right here in the heartland of Iowa.

Painter Grant Wood was trying to depict rural life in the great plains during the depression era.  While the piece is supposed to illustrate father and daughter, the models for the painting are actually Wood's sister and dentist.  The structure in the background of the painting is real and still located today in Eldon, IA.  The American Gothic House site now has a visitor center and any one of the very gracious volunteers would LOVE to put you in costume for a photograph.  Best of all, their help and use of the costumes is free.

Like I said earlier, the painting is supposed to illustrate father and daughter.  I found it interesting that I was able to be in costume for a photograph taken as mother and son.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2012 - American Gothic House, Eldon, IA The original American Gothic The original American Gothic	2012 - American Gothic House, Eldon, IA Bart and Mom at the American Gothic House Bart and Mom at the American Gothic House	2012 - American Gothic House, Eldon, IA Bart and Mom at the American Gothic House in costume Bart and Mom at the American Gothic House in costume
2012 - American Gothic House, Eldon, IA The American Gothic House The American Gothic House	2012 - American Gothic House, Eldon, IA The creator of American Gothic, Grant Wood The creator of American Gothic, Grant Wood	2012 - American Gothic House, Eldon, IA Wood's sister and dentist Wood's sister and dentist

I discovered this gem while on my way to Iowa's Honey Creek State Park.  Located in Clear Lake, IA, the Guardian Angel Roadside Chapel was built in 1991.  The large stained glass cross above the altar was meant to be a beacon to travelers on interstate I-35.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2012 - Guardian Angel Roadside Chapel, Clear Lake, IA Cross marking the entrance to the chapel Cross marking the entrance to the chapel	2012 - Guardian Angel Roadside Chapel, Clear Lake, IA Angels encrusted within the gate Angels encrusted within the gate	2012 - Guardian Angel Roadside Chapel, Clear Lake, IA A marker of holy ground A marker of holy ground
2012 - Guardian Angel Roadside Chapel, Clear Lake, IA Approaching the chapel from the road Approaching the chapel from the road	2012 - Guardian Angel Roadside Chapel, Clear Lake, IA A bit grown over but still maintained A bit grown over but still maintained	2012 - Guardian Angel Roadside Chapel, Clear Lake, IA The chapel through the trees The chapel through the trees
2012 - Guardian Angel Roadside Chapel, Clear Lake, IA A view inside the chapel A view inside the chapel	2012 - Guardian Angel Roadside Chapel, Clear Lake, IA A view inside the chapel A view inside the chapel	2012 - Guardian Angel Roadside Chapel, Clear Lake, IA Stained glass within the chapel Stained glass within the chapel

During the long and insipid drive through Kansas to Colorado, another roadside treasure was discovered that is a must see.  The Lighted Cross, located at the Excelsior Lutheran Church just off of I-70 between exits 209 and 216, has been described as a Guiding Light to those travelling along the interstate at night.  Built in 1976 by Gerald Klema, The Lighted Cross actually looks like a cross from ANY angle that you view it.  This is made possible by the fact that the arm of the cross is circular in nature.. ingenius.

Unfortunately, I was not in a position to see the cross lighted.  I was passing through the area during the brightest hours of the day.  But I still stopped to check out the structure and tour the little country church.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - The Lighted Cross, Wilson, KS Welcome to Excelsior Lutheran Church Welcome to Excelsior Lutheran Church	2011 - The Lighted Cross, Wilson, KS The Excelsior Lutheran Church The Excelsior Lutheran Church	2011 - The Lighted Cross, Wilson, KS A view inside the little country church A view inside the little country church
2011 - The Lighted Cross, Wilson, KS The 60' steel cross from a distance The 60' steel cross from a distance	2011 - The Lighted Cross, Wilson, KS Looking up at the circular shaped cross Looking up at the circular shaped cross	2011 - The Lighted Cross, Wilson, KS The Lighted Cross as seen at night. I believe the photograph was taken by Jeff Cooper (used without permission) The Lighted Cross as seen at night. I believe the photograph was taken by Jeff Cooper (used without permission)

While driving up the Eastern Shore of Virginia on a day trip towards Delaware, I visited Kiptopeke State Park.  Located three miles north of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel, Kiptopeke is known as a significant birding area.  But I stopped to visit the ghost ships.  Partially sunk in 1948, nine McCloskey ships make up the Kiptopeke Breakwater for what used to be a ferry service.  The ferry service is long gone but the mammoth hulks of concrete still protect the Kiptopeke Beach today. 

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA Navigational marker in the break Navigational marker in the break	2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA McCloskey Ships, head to head McCloskey Ships, head to head	2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA The Kiptopeke Breakwater The Kiptopeke Breakwater
2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA The ships, gulls, and the bay bridge The ships, gulls, and the bay bridge	2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA Bart at Kiptopeke State Park Bart at Kiptopeke State Park	2011 - Kiptopeke State Park, Cape Charles, VA The pier at Kiptopeke The pier at Kiptopeke

As is usual with geocaching, we discover sites that you would not otherwise even know exist.  While visiting Patapsco Valley State Park to find Maryland's oldest active geocache, we stumbled upon the Union Dam Tunnel.  The railroad tunnel, which was built in 1902, is 810' long.  Better yet, as we approached the tunnel, we could hear train whistles in the distance.  Sure enough after a five minute wait, a four-locomotive train comes blowing around the corner and into the tunnel.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Union Dam Tunnel, Patapsco Valley State Park, Baltimore, MD Active Railroad sign Active Railroad sign

2011 - Union Dam Tunnel, Patapsco Valley State Park, Baltimore, MD The tunnel entrance The tunnel entrance

2011 - Union Dam Tunnel, Patapsco Valley State Park, Baltimore, MD The end of the train headed inside The end of the train headed inside

On our drive to North Carolina, we quite literally stumbled upon another object of Roadside Americana.  The Pink Elephant, located in DeForest, WI, has guarded the town for over 50 years.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Pink Elephant, DeForest, WI The Pink Elephant The Pink Elephant

2011 - Pink Elephant, DeForest, WI Anna at the Pink Elephant Anna at the Pink Elephant

2011 - Pink Elephant, DeForest, WI Laura on the Pink Elephant Laura on the Pink Elephant

Found this beauty in Avoca, IA, after pulling off of I-80 for a pitstop.  This VW Spider is also listed on the Road Side America site.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - VW Spider, Avoca, IA VW Spider sculpture in Avoca, IA VW Spider sculpture in Avoca, IA

Cruising through Ames, IA, on my way to Lincoln, NE, I ran into Orange Dragon, by Ames native Dave Johnson.  Located on the southwest corner of Ames City Hall, this artwork was originally placed as part of the Art Around the Corner program.  The city of Ames eventually bought the piece from the artist for $3000.

Enjoy the photographs (click thumbnails for larger view)..

2011 - Orange Dragon, Ames, IA The Orange Dragon (front)	2011 - Orange Dragon, Ames, IA The Orange Dragon (rear)	2011 - Orange Dragon, Ames, IA Bart at the Orange Dragon
2011 - Orange Dragon, Ames, IA The Orange Dragon Profile	2011 - Orange Dragon, Ames, IA Fangs of the Orange Dragon

While geocaching in the Faribault area I did a geocache named Pig Hotel (GC1EKQX) by PrincessB.  I didn't realize the significance of the geocache's name until I arrived at the site and discovered there really is a Pig Hotel there.  At least it used to be.  The legend has it that after the house was uninhabitable for humans, the farmer fenced it in and used it as a pig pen.  The pigs had the full run of the house and yard!  Apparently there are no more pigs but the house still stands and seems to be minimally maintained.

The Pig Hotel

Hershey Cemetery  (note spelling on the sign)

Another interesting site across the gravel road from the Pig Hotel is the postage stamp sized Hershey Cemetery.  The historical significance is that the little lot contains the remains of Mary Hershey, six year old daughter of Christian and Jane Hershey, owners of the property in 1900.  Mary was apparently buried in 1856 as the original stone exists today, embedded in the ground, fragmented in several pieces.