Area fields are prepared for planting and in some cases have already been seeded. As corn prices remain high the amount of acres planted in corn continue to rise annually. Ethanol production and the worldwide demand for other corn products are the reasons. Each planting year is interesting - that's for sure. Here's a look into the not so distant past with seed sacks of yesteryear. Know that. 
Air Force One (USAF 28000) parked away from the main passenger terminal near the overnight parcel service terminal. For security concerns the tarmac fence line was obstructed by cargo containers, equipment and other vehicles making it near impossible to see the entire plane. However there were few places to see portions of the huge 747. Air Force One is, as you would expect – shiny, clean and impressive, and guarded by a security detail.
While looking for best area to photograph the plane, a member of Cedar Rapids’ finest drove up and asked the small crowd to leave the area for security reasons. He was polite and the five people took a souvenir photo of the plane and left. He then positioned the squad car in the general area as to ward away more onlookers. Other airport property and nearby roads were patrolled by police, sheriff, homeland security, airport security and unmarked, large black vehicles.
Spring is here. And its been here since February and March. In areas where no one picks up leaves in the Fall, the vegetation is protected from the cold and snow. One sure sign of the Spring is dandelions - old french for Lion's tooth. Bright green and yellow, these plants are hearty enough to burst through a pile of oak leaves and announce the season. If left unspoiled by herbicides the plant can be eaten, the flower made into wine and the root used for a diuretic. So much uses for a plant that is the bane of lawn owners but also cherished by children. Know that.
On this day the towboat, Cooperative Venture from St. Louis passed southbound pushing an array of barges under the Great River Bridge at Burlington, Iowa. Painted numbers on the bridge support indicate the distance from water level to the lower portion of the bridge to aid tows and other craft in negotiating the overpass. The barge configuration, three abreast, carries a flag designating the lead formation.
Constructed of native limestone, the castle is a cylindrical stone tower with a winding staircase to a small top observation area. Inside the castle is a winding staircase that narrows as you approach the upper third of the structure. At some time the castle had a flagpole that stood from the interior center all the way through the stone roof and above. It appears to be long gone. The castle overlooks the Mississippi River at Clinton, north of Lock and Dam Number 13 - the so called General Zebulon Pike Lock and Dam. Today the view from the top is spectacular and probably even more so in autumn. The stone work from the same WPA project at Eagle Point Park can be found throughout the property attesting to the workmanship of the era.
