Iowa City, Iowa; Herbert Hoover Library – 3/18/2015 – http://fulltimetimeshare.com/blog

March 18, 2015 (Wednesday)

No Chicago today. Today was a trip to Iowa City, Iowa, a little over 150 miles away. We went to see Michael’s sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Ruth and Richard. Ruth was Michael’s first wife’s sister, and Richard is her husband of 57 years. Michael’s first wife died of cancer in 1984 and he stayed in touch with most of her family. When I was pregnant, Ruth and Richard came by our home to visit and have always been special and the nicest people you would ever want to meet. We’ve seen them several times over the years, last time was when they lived in Salt Lake City back in the early 2000’s. They have been having health issues and one of the reasons we opted to “go North” was so that we could see them.

The visit was way too short (only about two hours) but so good to see them and catch up on all that is going on in their lives and the lives of their kids and grand kids. (We didn’t want to wear them out too much.) Four of their grand kids are almost the same ages as Aaron and Alexis. They both looked really good but are getting older (like all of us every day).

A very different state border sign, so subdued we almost missed it.

We left and just took a little drive to the old Capitol part of Iowa City. Lovely area with some beautiful churches and university buildings. We stopped for lunch at a Chipotle and then hit the road to head back to our home.

Along the way we saw a sign for the “Herbert Hoover Library” and decided to go for it. We both didn’t know that much about him and thought it would be a nice and unique way to learn about him.

We stopped first at the National Park area where he was born and went to school. We talked to the employee at the desk and learned a little bit about what to expect and what we should see. The house he was born in was little more than a shed (14 x 20). His dad died when he was young, and then his mother died four years later. He was shipped off to Newport, Oregon (alone by train) when he was eleven years old, where he lived for several years with his uncle (mother’s brother). Fascinating man. We also got to see where his father had a blacksmith shop, and the little school he went to when he was young. This was a free exhibit and quite interesting. They had some other buildings but they weren’t open to the public today.

Where he was born. Two rooms, kitchen on the back porch.

His Dad's blacksmith shop. — His Dad’s blacksmith shop.

Pretty woman got the car, I walked over. Wanted to see the statue up close.

Next we went to the Presidential Library. (Cost was $5.00 for senior and $10.00 for adult.) Great exhibit on baseballs and then the time-line of his life and Presidency. He went to Stanford, married another Stanford graduate from Iowa, went to China with her and survived the boxer rebellion. They went to Australia and made all kinds of money in mining gold. It was thought he was the cause of the great depression, but in reality it just happened on his watch. Michael and I now have a great respect for this man and what he did back in 1928-1932. We now want to visit the other libraries to learn more.

My history lessons left me bereft of knowledge of Hoover's best works. — My history lessons left me bereft of knowledge of Hoover’s best works.

He was a complete Baseball nut. — He was a complete baseball nut.

Incredible collection of autographed baseballs by world leaders.

English Prime Ministers and US Presidents and first ladies going back quite a ways.

All manor of world leaders. — All manner of world leaders.

He went to Stanford at 17 and paid his own way. He was elected Class Treasurer and wiped out a $1.200 debt in the first 6 months. His Quaker background served him well.

He and his bride, fellow Iowan and Stanford grad, Lou.

Mining around the world made him a rich man, especially mining for gold in Australia.

His engineering background showed as he embraced new technologies.

Named Boulder because he was blamed for the crash. His name was restored by Truman.

Amazing reach from Truman to Hoover and the rehabilitation of his name, oh for such civility again. — Amazing reach from Truman to Hoover and the rehabilitation of his name. Oh for such civility again.

One can only marvel at the past and live with hope for the future.

I only knew he caused the depression, great, the only thing I knew about the man was incorrect. — I only knew he caused the depression. Great, the only thing I knew about the man was incorrect.

He ran with a rough crowd, politicians. — He ran with a rough crowd – politicians.

We got back to our home about 5:00 PM and took a nap. We decided not to go to the activities center to work on the computer as we’re both tired. We’re going to eat veggies and go to bed early. We’re still debating on what we want to do tomorrow.

That was our day. Hope yours was great!