Into Iowa
Julie is taking a virtual walk to Moab, UT, to see her nieces and nephew. John and Ben are tagging along. As they pass Smallwander towns, John has a stream of consciousness. Read the origin story.
Julie crossed the Mississippi and arrived at Decorah, Iowa, this week. This town was named after the leader of the Ho Chunk Native American tribe, who was an ally of the US in the war against the Black Hawks in 1832. Future President Abe Lincoln served in that war, but he did not see combat. This area became a major destination for Norwegian immigrants. It has a Norwegian-American museum, which is the largest museum in the US devoted to a single immigrant group. Decorah also hosts Nordic Fest, which is scheduled to happen this July 22. John and Ben converged this week in Nashville, Indiana.