Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Travel - Storm Lake

Storm Lake Iowa has a rather unique attraction. Citizens obtained cuttings from famous trees. Who knew trees were famous? And after a few years growth the Living Heritage Tree Museum was public-ready. Some highlights: Little House on the Prairie Cottonwood. This tree is grown from a cutting of the cottonwood whose planting in DeSmet, South Dakota is detailed in "By the Shores of Silver Lake." Then there is the plant produced from the tree whose apple smacked Isaac Newton right on the bean. They have a tree descended from a willow tree that grew at the birthplace of Joan of Arc in Domremy Haute Marne, France. How do they even know this stuff? Who kept track of Isaac Newton's tree? And they have over 50 of these! Here is a link to the list of trees and a map. You can pick out just the ones that grab your interest. It's free, so you don't have to pay a dollar and a half just to see 'em.

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