Iowa

What can I say about Iowa. It's as nice a state as can be (except the weather). Frankly, I don't miss the cold and snow of the Upper Midwest. Luckily I am not here in the winter.

In the past, I have just driven through Iowa, or flown over it. This time I came here for a purpose. Does that farm scene look familiar?

It may if you've seen the film, Field of Dreams.

I am not a huge fan of baseball, but I like the game. Played it like most American kids. I wasn't a very good player, but I did manage to look like I knew what I was doing. I'd get up to the plate, take my stance and a few practice swings. This was good enough to get the fielders to back up, expecting me to wallop the ball. I was good for my fumbling base hit. It looked like I intentionally deceived them. That was good enough. to get on base, and not look like a complete doofus.

As for being a semi-fan, I really like minor league baseball. Whenever I used to travel a lot, I'd try to catch a local game. You can't beat the more intimate atmosphere, the fans and ballpark junk food. When you yell at a referee for being a blind idiot, you can be sure he hears you. Same with the players. No one is there being a smug superstar millionaire. Folks are there for the love of the game.

But I do absolutely love baseball movies. I don't know why. On the big screen, baseball seems magical. One of the more recent films that touched me was Field of Dreams. I am not exactly sure why, but I think it's the combination of the plot, the Midwest, following a dream, and that bit of "magic".



So, when I found out the baseball field set was still in existence, I put that on my itinerary. I found out, that the area had seen a big rainstorm mere hours before I got there. The ground was still damp and it was quite humid. It didn't stop me from visiting the corn rows, walking the field, and just enjoying being there.



Yes, I even sat on the bleachers.



The Field of Dreams Movie Site

Dyersville, Iowa


"If you build it, he will come"

I did, too.