Winterset City Park

We visited the Winterset City Park to see the Cutler-Donahoe covered bridge.  This bridge was built in 1870, and was originally located 18 miles northeast of Winterset.  It was moved to the park in 1970.  

A plaque near the bridge says it was designed and built by Eli Cox.  It's 79 feet long and weighs 40 tons.  Bridges were often named after people who lived near them.  Since both the Cutler and Donahoe families claimed naming rights, this bridge was named after both.  The man who was commissioned to move the bridge, Clair Rogers, gave his time to rebuild the west third of the bridge and re-roof it.

The Winterset area was bustling with people on Memorial Day weekend.  Various ones had their pictures taken on the bridge.  We noticed runners along the roads--and they looked pretty tired!  The ladies with refreshments told us that a 100-mile ultra-marathon was ongoing (The 2015 Booneville Backroads Ultra). 

This stone bridge caught our attention.  We crossed it, and I took some photos.

We went through the hedge maze and found the sundial inside, and then I walked up to the structure shown below to take photos of the maze.  The shelter is a place where I'd imagine weddings and family reunions are held.  

Next, we started on our hike to Clark Tower.  I had read in an online review that it was quite the walk, but I didn't take the reviewer as seriously as I should have, figuring he/she must just not have been very fond of walking.  We walked a short way, and then started to wonder how far away Clark Tower really was, so we asked a girl jogging past us.  She said we had about a beautiful 20 minute walk still ahead of us!  The reviewer was not exaggerating after all! 

I had brought my tennis shoes with me, but they were in the car...so I was walking in leather boots with 2-inch heels.  I usually love them since they're great for almost everything: walking in the rain, winter, spring, long grass, mud, snow, etc., and I even wear them to concerts.  The only things they're not great for?  Hiking and jogging.  But...we made it!

 The walk was beautiful, and at the end of our trail we spotted Clark Tower, erected in memory of pioneers Caleb and Ruth Clark (1846-1926).  After going up the stairs to the second level, we climbed a ladder to the top.

From there, we enjoyed a beautiful view.  There were several people at and around the tower, and I don't think I've ever seen such a large percentage of the population in any place armed with fancy DSLR-type cameras!  They were everywhere.  I asked one fellow red-head if she posted her photos anywhere (i.e. was a blogger or something...), but no luck.  Could bloggers please start wearing name tags: "Hello, I'm a blogger"?

We made it back from Clark Tower to find a group of motorcyclists parked in front of the covered bridge taking pictures. The lady I'm standing with said they were from South Carolina.  After visiting the park, we headed to our friend's graduation open house for delicious walking tacos, brownies, and ice cream.  

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