#22 – Look! Up in the Sky!

Attend Ottumwa Pro-Balloon Races held in June of each year

After being told for several months how big a deal the annual pro balloon races were, I was excited for the big weekend to arrive.  The fact that it came on the heels of flood watch only served to buoy many people’s spirits.

#7 – Go Gothic

Take your picture in front of the American Gothic House, one of the world’s most recognized images made famous by Iowa artist Grant Wood.

It is part of an American icon, but probably three-quarters of the country does not know it actually exists.  The house portrayed in Grant Wood’s American Gothic is located in southeast Iowa, in a town of less than one thousand people (as of the millennial census), Eldon.

#18 – Tour the Ottumwa Cemetery

#18 – Walking the Cemetery

Take a self guided walking tour of the Ottumwa Cemetery, 1302 N. Court, brochure available at the Chamber on 217 East Main Street.

Something seems a little morose about touring a cemetery, even in famous cases like this, this, or this. That being said, it is on the list, so I am obligated to give this one a try.