VIEWS OF A FARM BOY

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans tp prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. Then you will call on me amd come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." (NIV) (Jeremiah 29: 11,12)

NEW-2020

Look what's NEW-2020!  I love the Gray's Lake--Waterworks Park area and I have ridden my bicycle and run/walked on this network of paths and trails hundreds of times. A new recreation underpass, called Ruan Connector, now takes you directly from Waterworks Park to Gray's Lake. This 10 ft. high, 19.5 ft. wide tunnel allows outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy both of these great recreation areas without having to compete with the vehicle traffic on heavily traveled Fleur Drive. As I walked through this newly opened trail today (September 15, 2020) I thought another piece of the puzzle is in place for me to be so convinced--"Iowa must have the best recreation trail system in the whole world!!!!"

OCTOBER--2020

More NEW-2020! Ragbrai didn't happen this year--but this beautiful sculpture, located in Waterparks Park, did. Ragbrai is normally scheduled for the last full week in July, so it is very fitting to have this sculpture unveiled, July 16th. This beautiful work of art, created by Gail Folwell, is appropriately titled, "Ragbrai- River to River." The two bronze bikers are Ragbrai founders, John Karris and Donald Kaul. I don't go on Ragbrai anymore, but I did ride my bike today--so I could park it by the sculpture (left) for show and tell. If you ride a bike and/or like art, you need to see this sculpture!

Once again--NEW-2020! The new Jamie Hurd Amphitheater opened with a first performance Friday, September 18, 2020. This beautiful structure is in a nature lover's setting. It is located on the north shore of a pond between West Des Moines City Hall and WDM Public Library. Actually, I'm not big on performing arts, but a lot of people are. This new outdoor amphitheater will be a real asset for the greater Des Moines community.

I titled this page, "NEW-2020" but maybe I should have called it "BREAKING NEWS." All three of my featured venues were introduced to the public during the past 60 days. As you all know, our state and our country have faced some challenging times this year--2020. Yet, through it all--good things are still going on!

RETURN TO HOMEPAGE>>>>>>>