Hi All: Yesterday I took advantage of a great, sunny day to head to the Lamoni, Fayette Township area to look for Creveling, Sweet Home and Hollen Cemeteries.. I've made this large map consisting of all 16 Decatur Co. Townships and so I have a better idea of what is what... I had stopped in Leon last week at City Hall to see if they had a county plat map I could have -- well, no, they only have the extended 911 map and it sells for $5.00 -- no cemeteries shown on it.. I asked her if she remembered the days when maps were something given away at most places, and she looked at me in confusion -- she's young... So, I went to see Gayle Norman at the County Recorder's Office and he only had the individual township maps which are the same as we have on the Decatur County website. He thought it would be a good idea to make one big one showing the cemeteries... Well, he's a nice guy, but he's also a paid county official -- so why would I do this job? So, over the river and through the woods I went to find these cemeteries -- 3 more on my list! After a little looking, I finally found Creveling Cemetery, which is just past Farm Song Road and up a long lane beside a house... I love the feeling I get when I see the headstones sticking up like an oasis in the middle of the field... So, the first order of business was to find a 'tinkle tree' where no one could see me. Alrightythen -- I started chalking and taking pics of the headstones; they are in need of some repair. This cemetery, as with most, sits on top of a hill that overlooks the lush valleys and beautiful farmsteads in the area -- just plain feeds my soul to take it all in! I headed back into Lamoni and followed Hwy 69 south to J67 where I was to head west -- well, it's actually 310th St. I was driving and enjoying the beautiful Amish and Mennonite farms along the way when I suddenly saw a little cemetery to my left.. No name, just an iron gate. It had to be Sweet Home Cemetery, according to my map.. There are not many headstones, so must be a lot of unmarked burials.. I have to say that these iron gates are kept shut by wire, bungee cord, or chain most of the time, and have been secured by strong men!! I always struggle with them, but usually win the battle; maybe my bolt cutters would be something to add to my list of things to take to the cemeteries... smile.. According to my special, home grown map, I needed to go to J47 (which is Elk Chapel Road) as I later learned. As always, I headed the direction I thought I should be going.. I stopped a couple of times to look at the map and try to get my bearings, and the nicest Iowa folks stopped to see if I needed any help.. A fellow on a 4-wheeler came out of nowhere and looked at my map and said, "You're way north of where you want to be, you're in Bloomington Township." Of course I always claim being map challenged and old - to preserve what female dignity I might have with these fellows... I do get that look that says "What is an old woman by herself doing on these gravel roads?" I just give 'em my best 'Maxine' smile and go on my way.. You know, I do know that the sun comes up in the east and sets in the west, but when I'm cemetery hunting it always seems to be high noon.. Add a compass to my list of things to take to the cemeteries.............. I headed back the way I had come and looked for R14 (which was actually 105th St.) and managed to find the way to Hollen Cemetery.. A pretty place with no sign and no gate.. Wow, being successful at finding these cemeteries was going to my head!! I headed back to Lamoni and noted the silage pits are happily ripening. I passed a house that was painted the color of bubble gum with a bright blue door -- so don't tell me these country folks are bored or plain. Then there was the detour which took me through more country where the water had been over the road, due to the 7 " of rain Lamoni had Saturday; but didn't have any problems navigating it in my 'almost amphibious little green hearse'. Feeling I had accomplished my mission, I headed for the Visitor's Center which has a good old fashioned Maid Rite Restaurant in it and enjoyed one... In the hall they have a lot of historic Lamoni pictures and narrations to read which I found to be very interesting.. Three more cemeteries to add to the Gravestone Photos.. Yippee... As Always, Nancee