Saturday, April 9, 2016 – Amish hat country, Mormon Pioneer Trail

Today was our P-day and all of the new Senior Elders and I needed to buy two new hats for the two plays we will be performing in.  One hat has to be a black felt pioneer looking hat and the other has to be a straw pioneer hat. These type hats cannot be found at Walmart! 

So, bright and early Sis. Johnson & I with five other senior couples piled into our cars and headed to Amish country about 70 miles away in Iowa. We found exactly what we were looking for and less expensive than ordering on line, which would have taken too long anyway.

 

We had a grand time buying the hats, seeing new country and visiting with all of the Amish folks we met.

 

I was surprised to discover that the Iowa Route 2 Hwy we were driving actually crossed the historic "Mormon Exodus Trail" four times as we drove west away from the Mississippi River. Markers noted each spot and the whole length is designated as a "National Historic Trail." It gave me great pause to think of those heroic pioneers leaving their homes in the dead of winter and starting their 1500 mile trek to Utah with only a few meager possessions and their faith to sustain them.