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Despite a tendency to "break every bone in its body" when attempting to build something for The Hills Line, even I occasionally have moments of mild success in constructing something from scratch. For the lattice-truss bridge over the Iowa River I have the advantage of having done it once before. I left the deck in … Continue reading Do Over, Part Two
"Eventually, all things merge into one, and a river runs through it." -Norman MacLean- While additional detail parts may eventually find a place, I'm ready to call the first significant rural scene on The Hills Line complete. The 10,000-foot view shows the relative placement of most of the elements. All the foliage and flora follow … Continue reading Haunted By Waters
Up until now, progress on The Hills Line has focused on the more industrial Iowa City with its tight clearances and numerous grade crossings. I'm now working in the town of Hills, a stark contrast with its agrarian open spaces and features. One key feature of any rural area in the Upper Midwest is a … Continue reading The South 40
"Rivers flow not past, but through us" -John Muir- It took me some time before I was able to determine the name of the small creek just north of Hills, Iowa. But thanks to some first-hand information from local residents I discovered what could simultaneously be the best and worse possible name for a body … Continue reading Force of Nature
The Hills Line 