I had some free time and decided to hop in the car and drive north on highway 61 to Eldridge, Iowa. Six miles from Eldridge was Scott Park. With the weather sunny and warm, I opted to hike the trails. Then I saw some dead elm trees, mayflowers, and Jack-in-the-Pulpits. I veered from the trail to hunt down the elusive morel mushroom. This time of year is when the grey sponge is replaced by the yellow sponge. Both wild mushrooms coated in egg batter and seasoned in peppered flour and then fried in olive oil make an excellent appetizer. For over an hour I hunted but alas came up empty-handed. I did catch a glimpse of a blue jay, which renewed my spirits that spring had indeed finally arrived.

I followed the signs to Walnut Grove Pioneer Village. The crown jewel of the historic village was St. Ann's Church built in 1852. The white clapboard church had a cross on its tall steeple and beautiful stained glass windows. Next, I explored the village cobbler and leather harness maker's shop with its many leather soles and old-fashioned granny shoes.

Butler #2 one-room schoolhouse sat next to the leather shop. The school was built in 1875 and what I found of interest was that the school with its ancient desks and goose-feathered quills and ink bowls was used as a school up until 1965. An ornate pot belly stove sat in the middle hallway and a glazed crock pot with a metal spout must have at one time held cool well water for the kids to drink out of after recess. The dunce cap was also a nice touch along with chalked multiplication tables on one of the many blackboards.

It was noted that Sam Cody - Buffalo Bill's brother - had fallen from his horse and had died tragically. His gravesite was in Long Grove.

There was so much to see at Walnut Grove. There was a blacksmith shop that had been managed by the Ehler's family from 1860 up until the mid-50s. There was a post office, genral store, Tobin's 1837 log cabin that had been re-located from Long Grove. In addition, an original CB&Q train caboose along with the "Ox", a 22-ton locomotive. Walnut Grove Savings bank built in the late 1800s with authentic 1890 teller windows and walk in safe looked the same as the day it was used.

Additional storefronts were the Walnut Grove Firehouse, Bison Saloon where a sleeping bed was 25 cents. There was a barber shop where a haircut was 25 cents, a bath 15 cents, and a shave 15 cents. The doctor's office also had a dentist's chair. In small towns, the doctor also served as the dentist.

Finally, what I had found interesting was a 1926 Model T. An old photo showed some carpenters who had taken the rubber wheel off the rear of the car and had mounted a long belt to its right rim. They used the motor power of the car to cut logs for building materials.

I suggest you stop at Pioneer Village and sample root beer from the original soda shop and have yourself a hamburger and lounge away the day during a defining moment in America's history.