"John Wayne, Covered Bridges, Middle America" Winterset by basstbn

Madison County and its famed bridges were the setting of Robert James Waller's best-selling novel The Bridges of Madison County, later made into the successful movie of the same name starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. The movie was filmed on location in Madison County, and film-buffs may seek out sites from the film. Neither Nancy nor I had read the book or seen the film, so only took time to visit the well-known covered bridges.

Famed actor John Wayne, born in a modest wood frame house in 1907 is an honored son of the Winterset, Iowa, community. His birthplace is open for tours, and a new museum is in the planning stages.

Middle American values and lifestyle - friendly, unpretentious people - love of God and nation - mother and apple pie - they are not just romantic clichés here.

Winterset, and Madison County, are a good place to experience that old "hometown" feeling many of us are fortunate to have grown up in - a small-town rural way of life that is still appealing.