Classic Chrome Hood Ornament

This summer has afforded seemingly endless opportunities to observe vintage cars. One example at the 2011 Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa over the Labor Day weekend showcased early to mid-century cars among all the farm machinery. At a certain red, old time car, a few people busily photographed this classic design hood ornament. I decided to get in on the action and took this closeup image. Several other people waited to take photos of the winged chrome ornament and car after I was done. Too bad that I did not record the year and make of the vehicle. Who knows this may be a famous one of a kind. Now you've seen it too. Know that.

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Haying Time in Iowa

In northeast Iowa's driftless valleys, conditions were right last weekend for farmers to make hay as the saying goes. This farm uses a square baler while other models can produce the much larger round bales. Frost is possible later this week and will make production of another round of hay less likely. Know that.

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2011 Old Threshers Reunion - Part III

Lots of heavy machinery paraded before the grandstand at the 2011 Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa over the Labor Day weekend. This bad boy made a lot of noise from steam valves and a whistle. The farm field behemoth is basically a boiler on wheels.

Families of tractor owners rode along on these well maintained working machines of days long gone. The kids seemed to enjoy the parade as much as their parents.

The old tractors certainly have a lot of charm, retrospectively speaking. However, look at the open gears, hot boiler accesses, chains links and other hazards on these machines. Its a wonder that anyone survived with all their limbs and various digits in place. Know that.

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Late Summer Rays on the Pools of the Mississippi River

At Bellevue, Iowa the late summer sunshine is enough to get people outside to enjoy the weather and the beauty of the Mississippi River. This pontoon boat eased upriver and passed a sunbather just south of Lock and Dam No. 12. Notice how high the roller gates are positioned on the dam. The river's current level is low so the dam's gates are pulled up to allow more water downriver. The lock, off to the left hand side of the dam, was being filled upriver by a tow and its barges. Navigation pool 12 runs from here north to Dubuque, Iowa. Pool 13 (where the pontoon and sunbather enjoy the water) is defined by the water south of this dam all the way to the dam at Clinton, Iowa. Know that.

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2011 Old Threshers Reunion - Part II

At the Old Threshers Reunion on Labor Day weekend, there is an emphasis on the progression of labor saving machinery. To start things off there is a parade of animal power as it applies to farm work. Here a team of large horses are prepared to pull a wagon before the parade begins. 

The team winds up pulling a wooden school bus wagon that was actually used in the Mt. Pleasant area around 1915. Its a far cry from the modern Bluebird yellow school buses that are made nearby.

One of the trainers takes her horse back to the stable. The powerful horse demonstrated how walking in a circle while tethered to a hay bailer automated some of the intensive laborious process back in the day. 

In the twentieth century, horse power eventually yielded to steam and gas powered tractors. Some area Amish farmers still use horses to work their land. Other farmers do the same on smaller scales or keep horses for events such as the Old Threshers Reunion. Know that.

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2011 Old Threshers Reunion - Part I

For decades the Old Threshers Reunion in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa has celebrated machinery, animals and people. The three day exhibition runs like a mini state fair complete with food on a stick, named music acts, machinery and process demonstration, and a parade of progress as viewed from the grandstand.

Old and young come to the Labor Day weekend event - many are from machinery or agriculture backgrounds. Plenty of people from all walks of life came out to just enjoy the day.

Food and beverage vendors did quite well this Sunday before Labor Day as the weather was perfect to watch over a hundred years of farm machinery, from steam to gas, pass by the grandstand.

Proud owners of life size and scale model engines took time to explain what their machine did, how it ran, and how they became interested in motor ownership and maintenance. This owner explained how the wide belt running off this motor was used to calibrate the equipment for various loads.

What is a fair without an artist drawing funny faces of the kiddies? This girl tried to sit still while her brother attempted to annoy her. Sound familiar?

While powered machinery helped ease the amount of labor on the farm, it also meant that the operator had additional chores to fill the gap. Early models like this gas powered tractor required big muscles to steer since all the motor generated horsepower went into rotating a flywheel or pulling things rather than into steering. 

At the end of the day the reunion is a celebration of the machinery and people who help put food on our tables from these mid-northern latitudes. Know that.

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Psst, Hey Buddy. Do Ya Wanna Buy a Model A?

So you want to get into the old car restoration business? Here's your chance. A 1929 Model A frame and a few parts for only $6250.  Cheap right? Think again. You have to sink in a bunch to upgrade the frame, refurbish the engine and re-do the interior. You may be dishing out wads of sawbacks to get that authentic late 1920s look on the road.

Its a dream a lot of people have. Buy a car in sore need of restoration and then spend years getting the auto ready for summer parades and display. The quickest way of course is to buy a restored Model A and just maintain it until something else catches your eye - like a 1955 Chevy. Know that. 

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