PanethosA scenic excursion through Iowa’s Loess Hills
Tranquil serenity as seen from the hill town of Castana, Iowa
Winding up and winding down through farmlands, villages and small towns. The 220 mile long Loess Hills National Scenic Byway is pleasant road trip along the western ridges of Iowa between Sioux City and the Missouri border.
Windmill of time
One of a few places on the planet where Loess Hill geography occurs, this scenic corridor is a trip through time, both geological and historical. The photos accompanying this text are just a few of those taken while traversing this lovely byway last week.
Source: visitloesshills.org“Formed by deposits of very fin, windblown soil at the end of the last ice ages, there are not your average hills.”
Source: https://www.visitloesshills.org
With so many sites and vistas along the byway, it would take multiple days or trips to visit them all. In the half-day we spent there, we hardly scratched the surface. There are a number of loop road and side-trip options that can take the adventuresome beyond the byway’s two-lanes of pavement into adjoining/nearby parklands, forests, grasslands, and other natural areas.
Roadside remnants
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So, if you are tired interstate highways, high speeds, and heavy traffic, consider a dose of Iowa tranquility and grace along the serene Loess Hills National Scenic Byway. Additional images from our excursion are provided below. Peace!
Over hill and over dale
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Mother Nature awaits!
Nature’s beauty at the Harrison County Historical Center Badger Ridge Trail at Hitchcock Nature Center near Crescent, Iowa——-
Keepsakes of a playful past in Canstana, Iowa
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History abounds
White beveled clapboard buildings Handsome courthouse in Logan, Iowa Round barn Old grain elevator in Castana Beneath the water tower——-
Missouri River Valley – Nebraska in the distance
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Former Ford dealership
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Honor and remembrance
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Southern Minnesota Guy