Bright and early went straight back to John Deere Pavillion and were greeted by super friendly retired Mechanical Engineer. He told us all about the history of the company, family and the machines. Did you know the company was started in 1837 and is SECOND oldest company in USA. Guess who is number 1?
It is a wonderful place for kids and kids at heart. They let you climb on most of the equipment....really and it is so empowering to sit in the driver seat of this huge COMBINE and pretend you are harvesting 1000s of acres of " high fructose corn syrup..( corns).
One can also have actual factory tour but we decided to see other stuff first ( may be go back on the way back). The Rock Island, which is right there is a military installation and only US citizens are allowed to go there. ( how did they know we were US citizens...i have no idea but they did ask and checked the license) . Anyways interesting place for many things: 1) It has oldest Lock and Dam system and not only that but also one of the only two operating bridge that swings open for boats to pass and if that is not enough, this bridge has trains going on top deck and car at the bottom...America did wonderful engineering in the Past....
2) It has the FIRST home build by Europeans on the west of Mississippi. Island was a native American Paradise, was taken over in a treaty and then was turned into a fort.
3) Has the oldest and still operating Arsenal Factory in America. The Museum has weapons and stories to go along with them, from civil war, world war one, all the miscellaneous wars ( Korean, Vietnam etc) , world war two and even Iraq war...
Interesting place but we needed to move on. The fun part of all this is , I had not planned any of this. After the first place, someone suggested something and it turned out to be a wonderful suggestion..that is one of the reasons I love this part of the country
So, when three women suggested we should check out President Hoover's birthplace and library, we had to do it. It is in West Branch and is definitely a worth while destination. More on that later. His birth home is exactly how and where it was..a very tiny two room home. Only new thing on it is a hanging that says, " this is a living proof of all dreams are possible in America"
We drove to Eldora and of course Leona was waiting with warm smile, wonderful home and a great inspiration. Drive there are uneventful, miles and miles of " high fructose corn syrup waiting to be harvested by John Deere's equipment" . I asked Leona , " So what does the little farmer do"..and she said , " he does not farm" or there is no such thing any more...( those machines are $200k or more)
Here are few pictures..
Davenport home: First home on the west of Missisippi
Guns, Guns and more Guns at the Arsenal Museum, Rock Island, Moline
Lock, Dam and Swinging Bridge at Rock Island < Moline
The River
President Hoover's birth home
It is a wonderful place for kids and kids at heart. They let you climb on most of the equipment....really and it is so empowering to sit in the driver seat of this huge COMBINE and pretend you are harvesting 1000s of acres of " high fructose corn syrup..( corns).
One can also have actual factory tour but we decided to see other stuff first ( may be go back on the way back). The Rock Island, which is right there is a military installation and only US citizens are allowed to go there. ( how did they know we were US citizens...i have no idea but they did ask and checked the license) . Anyways interesting place for many things: 1) It has oldest Lock and Dam system and not only that but also one of the only two operating bridge that swings open for boats to pass and if that is not enough, this bridge has trains going on top deck and car at the bottom...America did wonderful engineering in the Past....
2) It has the FIRST home build by Europeans on the west of Mississippi. Island was a native American Paradise, was taken over in a treaty and then was turned into a fort.
3) Has the oldest and still operating Arsenal Factory in America. The Museum has weapons and stories to go along with them, from civil war, world war one, all the miscellaneous wars ( Korean, Vietnam etc) , world war two and even Iraq war...
Interesting place but we needed to move on. The fun part of all this is , I had not planned any of this. After the first place, someone suggested something and it turned out to be a wonderful suggestion..that is one of the reasons I love this part of the country
So, when three women suggested we should check out President Hoover's birthplace and library, we had to do it. It is in West Branch and is definitely a worth while destination. More on that later. His birth home is exactly how and where it was..a very tiny two room home. Only new thing on it is a hanging that says, " this is a living proof of all dreams are possible in America"
We drove to Eldora and of course Leona was waiting with warm smile, wonderful home and a great inspiration. Drive there are uneventful, miles and miles of " high fructose corn syrup waiting to be harvested by John Deere's equipment" . I asked Leona , " So what does the little farmer do"..and she said , " he does not farm" or there is no such thing any more...( those machines are $200k or more)
Here are few pictures..
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