The Delightful Community Of Osage

When knowing I had a great deal of desk work on my plate, I made sure to be at office at least an hour earlier, just so I could get everything completed long before the hour of eight arrived. I was a little creeped-out when pulling into my parking space before dawn, when seeing one of the nighttime dumpster-divers, standing next to that transformer at the rear of my office with her cellphone light on, and digging in a box she must’ve pulled out of a nearby dumpster. She acted as if she didn’t even hear me pull up our get out of my vehicle. For whatever reason, I’m convinced their numbers are increasing. What really got me agitated, was seeing all the paper and plastic which had blown in at the rear of my office, and likely all of it was from those ‘divers’ opening up those many garbage bags in those various dumpsters. Just this past Saturday morning, I picked up a half a garbage bag of the same stuff I was looking at this morning. Ugh!

After waiting far longer than I was expecting, I finally received the documents I needed for a morning meeting with a seller who lives in Osage, so once I printed them out and filled in the appropriate blanks, I grabbed my file along with my camera and headed out. The reason I took my camera, was because I wanted to stop at Mitchell and take some photos of their historic dam and its surroundings. I knew this would be the perfect time of year to get some photos of those cliffs with all their leafless trees.

It’s too bad I didn’t have a video camera attached to my vehicle, because those countryside views were almost surrealistic where there was no snow or greenery. I noticed several farmers out working in their fields, which was telling me they were wanting to get their corn in the ground during these abnormally warm days. Just as I was leaving my office, the Downtown temperatures were registering at around 85 degrees. I’m sure there were some records being broken today.

When knowing business always comes first, I went directly to the seller’s office where I proceeded to go over all his closing documents, and then get signatures. After we finished-up on the business side, I sat and had a nice little chat before bidding him farewell, along with the great big thanks for listing his home with me.

When I got in my car, I decided to take a full driving tour of their Historic Downtown, and even though I don’t want to admit it, there’s no question that community has got its act together. I actually don’t remember seeing one empty storefront, which was quite remarkable considering how much our smaller communities are struggling to keep their brick and mortar stores open. One could also sense a vibrancy which I translated as it being an entire community of residents who’re continually working for the good of all.  I know I’ve talked about my feelings regarding Osage some years ago, but I’m back cheering them on once again. My hat goes off to the delightful community of Osage.

On my way back, I turned off Hwy 9 onto the ‘River Road’ which is just east of the Cedar River. For the first time in my life, I found myself following the Cedar River all the way to Mitchell. What an experience! If any of you are into river scenery, you’ve got to take a drive on that narrow blacktop, because it well worth experiencing.

I’m sure the next time I’m in that area, I’ll have to drive all the more slowly, just so I can take in everything I happen to see. Because I’d not been on that winding road before, I really had to watch for those sharp curves, which kept me from getting a better look at the little country homes and acreages along the way, as well as the drop-off points for those wanting to casually float down the river. As much as I’m becoming all the more jaded with North Iowa’s natural beauties, there’s no doubt I was wowed by it all. There were several moments when I could’ve sworn I was out in the hills of Eastern Iowa.

As I was driving thru the little town of Mitchell, I got good look at several large plots of grape vines, a folksy tavern, a repair shop, an abandoned church, along with several very old homes which certainly date back to the 1870’s or earlier. Truth be told, Mitchell is a very old community which would’ve survived if Osage hadn’t blossomed as quickly as it did. If I’m not mistaken, Mitchell served as their County’s Courthouse around the arrival times of our first settlers.

When I got to the dam site, I parked and then with camera in hand, began taking some photos which I thought worthy of sharing. There wasn’t a soul in sight, which offered me more time to get a good look at everything. That hydroelectric dam is still working, because that big transformer was just a humming away while I was there. Truth be told, I was walking around out in that sun without a hat on far too long, and only because I later noticed my face had become rosy from being out there.

Tonight’s photo, is one I took of a collapsed cliff which must’ve taken place in the not so distant past. When seeing how much of it had broken-away, made me all the more determined to never live anywhere near such cliffs, no matter how good the views would be. Yes, it was a perfect example of how Mother Nature can change a landscape in seconds.

Once I arrived back at office, I busied myself with getting tomorrow’s closing file completely prepared, and once that was done, I went out to the house and removed my lockbox from its front door, and then pulled my sold sign.

In spite of my being in beginning stages of getting another home sold which I’m going to remain positive about, I have to admit the highlight of my day, were my travels to Osage and Mitchell. If you should have a half-day free, do take a trip over and enjoy it all.

Tonight’s One-liner is: If you wish to be loved, then love you must.

Joe Chodur

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