Chandler, Minnesota

On June 16, 1992 an F5 tornado roared through the area flattening most of Chandler.  Amazingly only one person died.  The town left the battered "In God We Trust" water tank standing as a memorial.

At the lower left you can see the memorial plaque which had this photo of the aftermath.

As we drove through the small town (pop. around 300) I looked at all the buildings and homes thinking they are all less than 10 years old.

Driving through these mid-western states I saw pretty much the same although Minnesota had a lot more trees among the farmlands.  Every town and road is neat, clean and tidy.  No litter and lawns are all well maintained and mowed.  Riding lawn mowers are a big item here - well they do have mighty large yards.  Being Labor Day weekend flags are out (I think they are out all year long here) lining the streets and homes.  Large family picnics can be seen at farms, parades are set for main street.  I notice kids are well-groomed and dressed - no hats on backwards, pants hanging past butt cracks.  The girls are shy and the type your mom would hope you'd bring home to meet.  Boys and girls playing kick ball together.  Kids riding Sting Ray bicycles.  I felt I had driven back in time to the late 50's, early 60's.  It was refreshing to see and to know there is an America like I once knew still existing today.  On a side note, all through Minnesota I saw only 5 people jogging and just two serious bicyclists.  I do not recall any in the Dakotas of Nebraska.  But seeing the motorcyclists riding without helmets is unnerving.  Your health, fitness and life is not a priority here?

Today we enter Iowa.