"The Boys are Back in Town"

As many of you may know, Daniel and I spent last weekend in Des Moines, Iowa with BJ. The drive was about 5 and a half hours and went smoothly both ways (thank goodness for XM radio). About the only highlight of the drive was crossing the Mississippi- which took about 10 seconds. But the destination was well worth the drive. When we arrived, we met BJ at Drake and he gave us a quick tour the Drake Campus including the building where he works. BJ claimed his office was a little cluttered at the time, but I'm sure I speak for Daniel when I say we felt right at home. Back at BJ's place (which was very organized and neat), we met BJ's roommate Matt and made ourselves at home until we left for the Iowa Cubs game, which was a lot of fun. It's not the major leagues, but how can you argue with between-innings festivities that include a golf cart driving around the field with a cannon that launches hot dogs into the stands- of course they are wrapped in foil when they are launched. Unfortunately, there were no free hot dogs to be eaten for us (or maybe that was a good thing). After the game, there was a fireworks show which was very cool. When we got back to BJ's place, we watched a movie then went to bed for some much needed rest.

The next morning (Saturday), we watched the British Open on TV while we ate cereal on the couch- can't do that at home. After a while, we left to have lunch at Panera Bread. From there we went to Beaver Creek golf course for a taste of Iowa golf. The course was well kept, hilly, and fostered some good boy cousin bonding time- we all know how important that is. After golf, we went back to BJ's place for a little recovery time after golf. Reenergized, we left for the movie theater to buy our tickets for "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry". Just for a little background, the movie theater is part of this expansive Old Orchard-like mall that was built just a few years ago. I am also happy to report that there is a Champps on site, so there would be some where for us to eat if we all headed to Iowa for a Sunday night dinner ;). That night, though, we ate at Buffalo Wild Wings, which was walking distance from the movie theater. We had a sports-filled meal there, and then headed back to the movie theater to catch the movie. "Chuck and Larry" was pretty funny and a little stupid- but what do you expect from Adam Sandler and Kevin James. After the movie, we went back to BJ's apartment and played a quick game of Scrabble before bed- and I've sworn not to reveal the winner ;).

The next morning was much like the first: cereal and the British Open. After that, we left for Principal Park to watch another Iowa Cubs game- again it was not our day with the hot dog cannon. After the game, we went to the domain of which BJ is the master- his league bowling alley- which is a little old school by the way. We also saw the volleyball courts that are right next to the bowling alley where BJ plays volleyball. We bowled a couple of not-too-serious games before leaving for the Iowa Machine Shed. No, we didn't go there to look at tractors- we went there to eat. It is a family style restaurant with the flair of an Iowa farm. Needless to say, we had a very good meal.

Monday morning, BJ woke us up early and reviewed the directions on how to get back to Chicago. After BJ left for work, Daniel and I had breakfast, packed up all of our stuff and hit the road. We had lunch at McDonald's right near the Iowa/Illinois border and didn't stop afterwards until we were parked in the driveway, thus ending one great weekend.

Matt

Here are some pictures of the trip:

BJ's "domain": Plaza Lanes

Iowa Cubs Game and Principal Park

The movie theater

Daniel, BJ and me at the bowling alley