Double Feature this morning!
"The Bridges of Madison County" was filmed in part in and around the small Iowa community of Winterset, which also happens to be the birthplace of Marion Morrison, better known at John Wayne. We met our step-on guide, Pat, at the Winterset Chamber of Commerce early this morning. We drove through Winterset and after about the 15 minute journey, the last 3 miles being over a gravel road (great for the motor coach) we arrived at Roseman Covered Bridge. An interesting story about the "haunted" bridge and an escapee in 1892 hiding from a posse chasing him was our introduction. The next of course was the story of the filming of "The Bridges of Madison County" and of the note Francesca (Meryl Streep) tacked to the bridge for Robert (Clint Eastwood) to find. A few of us noted the many signatures and graffiti scrawled on the walls and supports of the bridge so we decided to add our own little touch. Graffiti is graffiti but so what?
Onward to two other bridges on the tour, Cutler-Donahoe Bridge and Cedar Bridge, both of which were "easily" accessed for our motor coach. Pat filled us with information about the bridges including the visit by Oprah in 1993 to do her show at Cedar Bridge and one of her guests, Robert Waller, who authored " The Bridges of Madison County".
We concluded our tour of the bridges at the John Wayne birthplace where we said goodbye to Pat and hello to The Duke. John Wayne's birthplace is filled with photos and memorabilia of John Wayne and his life in films. We were told of his formative years growing up and how he got the nickname Duke and then the moniker we all know him by, John Wayne. I guess if you want to know the story you'll have to go and see for yourself.
Photo ops at his home (outside only) and at his statue on John Wayne Drive plus a quick run through the gift shop and we were on our way.
St. Paul Lutheran Church was the setting for a delicious lunch served by members of the church. Ham balls (an Iowa favorite), gourmet potatoes, green beans and a dinner roll were enthusiastically received by the group. You'd have though we never eat on these trips but we all know better. Apple pie a la mode or rhubarb pie with a cup of coffee rounded out a most wonderful lunch, and once again we were on the move.
In The Mood
Glenn Miller's birthplace and Museum in Clarinda was our next stop. Half of the group toured the museum and half tour Glenn's home. His home was typical of the times with small rooms and little furniture but enough for a family to live. Alton, or should I say Glenn, was born to music. We heard of his life in Clarinda, his family and how he came, to be who he was. Our guide in the home told us of stories of Glenn and his time in World War II and of his untimely disappearance over the English Channel which to this day remains a mystery. 
The museum is full of photos and records, sheet music and even a drum set and Glenn's trombone. A video presentation was also available but thanks to the kind folks at the museum we received an advance copy of the DVD which we played on the motor coach while travelling to Clarinda. True fans of the life of Glenn Miller and his music will enjoy walking through a musical history of one of the Big Band era's real giants.
Julie & Julia
Two hours on the road from Clarinda we would headed toward Kansas City, Overland Park, Kansas to be exact and a dinner event at the Culinary Center of Kansas City. The drive gave us just enough time to enjoy Meryl Streep once again as she portrayed the legendary chef, Julia Child.The Culinary Center was ready for our arrival on Santa Fe Road event though we showed up about 15 minutes early. We disembarked the motor coach and made our way into the aromas of the Center and our dinner being prepared by their Executive Chef.
Brie en Croute with Apricot Chutney as our opening taste of tonight's meal, delicious to all who sampled. Once we were all seated the fun was about to begin. The Chef informed us that we would be making our own dessert for tonight's meal. Those who wished to cook on one side of the room and those who wished to watch on the other side. The dessert we were to prepare was Chocolate Souffles with Vanilla Anglaise. All of the ingredients were prepped and ready for each group (there were 5 groups) to begin. The fun was in watching and taking part in following the recipe and operating the complex mixer. One of us who shall remain nameless (Bob) managed to pull the beaters away from the machine and wear a bit of the egg whites he was beating. (I hope we won't regret this later.) With all of the groups working feverishly to prepare the ramekins for the mixture to be poured into and making sure the batter was just right (gotta taste it, don't you?) we managed to fill nine of the ten ramekins given to our group. Don't know how the other groups did although I know one group was still hard at work when they started serving dinner.
Speaking of the main course, Salad Nicoise was followed by Coq au Vin with Caramelized Onion Whipped Potatoes and Haricot Verts (French for green beans). It was amazing! The salad was skillfully prepared and the main course had just a wonderful aroma to match the incredible taste.
For dessert out soufflets turned out just perfectly. Topped with the Vanilla Anglaise it was simply the perfect way to end the meal. Hats off to our cooks, to the Executive Chef and the staff at the Culinary Center of Kansas City for a wonderful dining experience.
Once again, fully fed and satisfied we boarded our Village Tours motor coach and headed for our home for the night, Drury Inn & Suites in Overland Park, Kansas.
Memories have abounded on this tour and we still have one more day to go. I can't wait!
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