*Like a photo you see in this part of our journey?  Click on it to go to the gallery where you can purchase prints and other merchandise.*

Heading north out of Missouri on Highway 63, you are bound to run into sites that you might not see everyday. 

Amish In MissouriAmish along highway 63 in northern Missouri. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.

And we began to see the many barns we expected, like this family farm near Greentop, MO. 

Greentop, MO - Family FarmA family farm near Greentop, Missouri. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.

Crossing over into Iowa we ventured through the historic square in Bloomfield to catch a glimpse of the Davis County Courthouse. 

Bloomfield, IA - Davis County CourthouseThe historic Davis County Courthouse in Bloomfield Iowa was completed in 1879. Designed by Thomas J. Tolan & Son Architects of Indiana, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The Bloomfield Square which surrounds the courthouse was also added to the National Register's listings in 1976. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.

The historic Davis County Courthouse in Bloomfield Iowa was completed in 1879. Designed by Thomas J. Tolan & Son Architects of Indiana, the building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. The Bloomfield Square which surrounds the courthouse was also added to the National Register's listings in 1976. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.

Then it was on to Ottumwa, Iowa where we see this religious shrine at Christ Church on the outskirts of town.

Ottumwa, IA - Christ Church ShrineA religious shrine at Christ Church on the outskirts of Ottumwa, Iowa. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.

We're breezing through, and our first night on the road is the parking lot at Walmart. 

Ottumwa, IA - Walmart CampingDid you know that many Walmart's allow overnight stay's in the parking lot? We overnighted at this one in Ottumwa, Iowa.

Knowing we had a short distance (some 80 miles or so) to our first 'primary' destination (Amana Colonies), we decided to take a leisurely drive through downtown Ottumwa. 

Ottumwa, IA - Architecture

Ottumwa, IA -MainStreet

Ottumwa, IA - ChurchSt. Mary of the Visitation church in Ottumwa, Iowa. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.

Then as we left the city, it wasn't long before we ran into the beautiful corn filled landscapes of Iowa farm land.  You're going to notice a theme here of Kathy's latest obsession... Barns.

Pretty corny here :P

Iowa - CornCornfield between Ottumwa and Hedrick, Iowa. Photo by Dave Alexander.

Iowa Farm - Sweet Corn, Sweet BarnsA group of barns between Ottumwa and Hedrick Iowa. Photo by Dave Alexander.

After catching that wonderful barn filled farm we wound up in the small, almost ghost, Hedrick, IA and one of the best Barns of the day.

Hedrick, IA - Barn - 2An old barn near Hedrick, Iowa. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.

Hedrick, IA - BarnA beautiful old barn just outside of Hedrick, Iowa. Photo by Dave Alexander.

Kathy's gonna have a blast playing around with colors on these.

Hedrick, IA - BarnAn old barn near Hedrick, Iowa. Photo by Dave Alexander. Enhanced by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.

Sometimes though no color enhancement is needed 

Hedrick, IA - ElevatorHedrick, Iowa was incorporated in 1883. A town of almost 800 now, it is named for Civil War General John Morrow Hedrick who encouraged its development.

Today this quiet farming community is known for its old brick main street and historic Union Depot, which hasn't seen a train since 1980. The city is undergoing an urban renewal plan to attract new home and business construction. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.

Hedrick may look like it's falling off the map, but it still has life and even some sidewalk construction on main street. 

Hedrick, IA - BankHedrick, Iowa was incorporated in 1883. A town of almost 800 now, it is named for Civil War General John Morrow Hedrick who encouraged its development.

Today this quiet farming community is known for its old brick main street and historic Union Depot, which hasn't seen a train since 1980. The city is undergoing an urban renewal plan to attract new home and business construction. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.

Although Kathy likes to "color" doors in photos for her artistic gallery, this one was ready made. 

Hedrick, IA - BusinessHedrick, Iowa was incorporated in 1883. A town of almost 800 now, it is named for Civil War General John Morrow Hedrick who encouraged its development.

Today this quiet farming community is known for its old brick main street and historic Union Depot, which hasn't seen a train since 1980. The city is undergoing an urban renewal plan to attract new home and business construction. Photo by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.

We made it to Amana, Iowa with plenty of time to catch up on some of the hustle and bustle we left behind, take a breath, and prepare to explore Amana Colonies. That'll be in the next photo blog, and we'll write more about the history in our Travel Blog HERE.

In addition, most photos you see in this photo blog entry area available in prints, downloads and other merchandise. Simply click on the photo to go to the gallery, then choose "buy" at the top and select your products.  If it does not click through to a gallery, then it is not currently available for purchase.