Welcome to Thursday Doors! This is a weekly challenge for people who love doors and architecture to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos, drawings, or other images or stories from around the world. If you’d like to join us, simply create your own Thursday Doors post each (or any) week and then share a link to your post in the comments below, anytime between 12:01 am Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time). If you like, you can add our badge to your post.

in primo piano – photos

When I was visiting my brother in June, we did several things that required drives through the abundant farmland in that state. The benefit of being a passenger is that I had a chance to snap some drive-by photos of interesting buildings and structures.

I am running very late, and I know there are people out there who expect to add their doors shortly after midnight. So, I’m done, except to say, I hope you enjoy my photos and I hope you take a few minutes to look at theirs.

All five of my current books are now available in audio book form thanks to Amazon KDP’s Virtual Voice process. The voice is AI generated, but I can honestly say, it’s pretty darn good. The audio books are reasonably priced (all below $7 US) and, if you already own the Kindle version and want to add an audio version, you can do that for $1.99. There is a five-minute sample on the book page for each book. If you’re interested, click on any of the Dreamer’s Alliance book links below the image or on the link below for my latest book.

Bridge to Nowhere

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102 responses to “Iowa Farms”

  1. Makes me think of the Grant Wood painting.

    Liked by 4 people

  2. Dan Thursday Doors so many varieties. . Anita

    Liked by 2 people

    1. There were so many to choose from, I tried to mix it up.

      Like

  3. […] am linking this to Dan’s Thursday Doors […]

    Liked by 1 person

  4. Lots of different and interesting shapes. Great drive by shots, Dan.

    Here is mine for this week: https://wanderingteresa.com/doors-in-covent-garden/

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Teresa. It was so fun driving along and seeing one of these farms coming up in the distance.

      Your photos are wonderful!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. I really enjoyed these buildings, great variety of shapes.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks!. There sere so many to choose from.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. these barns are far more interesting than any of the barns we have in the UK . 💜

    Liked by 3 people

    1. We don’t have farms like this around New England, Willow. These are serious operations. I’ve been there during harvest, and it’s amazing to watch.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Oh! Yes I understand 💜

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Nice skies, Dan! I get in a mild panic if my Monday post isn’t ready to go out at 8.00 on a Monday morning so I know the feeling.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Jo. I have the post pre-staged, so I can give people the link, but I have over 30 photos to search through and many were from a distance (set back from the road) so I had to crop. Plus, I started late.

      Liked by 1 person

  8. Growing up on a farm in northeastern Indiana many of these buildings are familiar architecture. We had a shed like the one in “Big barn doors”. They are large boxy structures with a dirt floor. We used it as a garage to store and work on the tractors and other equipment.

    I noticed that I had a door in one of my recent posts. The door is off-centered. I think I was more interested in the handrail: https://frankhubeny.blog/2024/08/21/perfect-peace-ovi-poetry-challenge/

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks for the information, Frank I was wondering about the purpose of these buildings. I’ve been to Iowa during planting and harvest, and I know that lots of machinery is involved. The farms are amazing.

      Thanks for joining us. Your door photo is lovely, and I like the way you used the photo for the message. I also like handrails, so that works, too. Have a great weekend.

      Liked by 2 people

  9. […] Posted for Dan’s Thursday Doors […]

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  10. These are so different from what we see around here. I love all the shapes you got here.

    Here is mine:

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Iowa is serious farming country. We don’t have barns and buildings like this in New England (maybe up in Vermont??). It’s amazing driving out there. You see these coming from so far away, and they look small. Then you get up on them, and they don’t fit in the frame.

      I liked that cottage you shared today. Lovely entrance.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Whenever I see Vermont I think of Bill Bryson and the way he described New England.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. He paints a good picture. Flatten Vermont out and spread it out, and you have the midwest.

          Liked by 1 person

  11. […] Posted for Dan’s Thursday Doors […]

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Great finds and excellent drive-bys. I love the barns. That one with the little topper is so unusual.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Brian. I had seen cupolas on top of barns before, but nothing as elaborate as these. They look like separate spaces. We passed so many. I could easily do another post, but I think I’ll drop them in at random when I run out of doors for a theme.

      Liked by 3 people

  13. […] own Thursday Doors post each (or any) week and then share a link to your post in the comments on Dan’s blog post. Check out all the other door posts […]

    Liked by 1 person

  14. I love farm pictures, especially the barns. Here is my offering for this week. https://darlenefoster.wordpress.com/2024/08/29/thursday-doors-arran-revisited/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Darlene. We don’t see farming done on this scale in New England. It’s always a treat to drive past these operations.

      I really enjoyed your post today. It’s great to see the connection between real places and the settings in your books.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. These farms are more like we would see in the Canadian prairies. It’s great to be a passenger and able to take pictures! Pleased you liked my post. Thanks for running this fun challenge.

        Liked by 1 person

  15. I’m surprised that there aren’t more Quonset huts in use as barns. At one point there must have been enough war surplus to convert all Iowa’s barns.

    Here’s mine: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2024/08/29/cabo-de-rama/

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Most of the Quonset hut style barns seem to be the older structures in a group. The preference now seems to be for large rectangular buildings with enormous doors. When you see the equipment these farmers roll out for harvest, it makes sense.

      I loved the images from the for today. Beautiful stormy shots.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. Good morning Dan, our posts today, have stirred a desire in me to get in the car and drive, sigh., timing!! Here is my post for today..https://dymoonblog.com/2024/08/29/thursday-21/

    Liked by 2 people

    1. You’re right. The things we see while on the road are inspiring, and beautiful. I loved the photos you shared today!

      Like

  17. Nice collection. One thing for sure is that riding around in the country is relaxing.

    Liked by 2 people

  18. Our tastes are similar, so you know I prefer the original style barn, such as your favorite on the bottom.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Yeah. I guess they aren’t big enough for the equipment these guys use.

      Liked by 1 person

  19. I liked the traditional barns and farms the most, and especially the silos. Nice series, Dan!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Deborah. I like those, too.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. Great photos, Dan. I spent time in Indiana, and the scenes were very similar. That stone silo was a stand-out.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I was surprised to see that one, John.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’ll bet. It is quite unusual.

        Liked by 1 person

  21. These are beautiful, Dan. All that wide open space and that big sky. I especially like the ‘lines and circles’ photo. It might be typical, but it would never get old for me!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It’s funny, Lois. We drove for miles and miles between these sightings. So much corn and soybeans…it’s endless.

      Thanks for joining us today with a most unusual door.

      Liked by 1 person

  22. I love those big skies! And does anybody else think that last barn looks like a Puritan lady? All it needs is a big red A painted on the front. My doors today are gifts, which are the doors I like the most: doors sent with thought and kindness. :) https://marianallen.com/2024/08/thursday-doors-from-bosnia-to-the-louisville-zoo/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. So, would the A be painted on the lower roof? I’m working on conjuring up that image.

      Great doors from friends and family.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Yeah, the top bit is her big-eyed face under a white hat, and the lower roof is her bodice cover. The A would be on that.

        Liked by 1 person

  23. […] Thursday Doors 2024 […]

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  24. I LOVE barns, silos and farmhouses, so today’s gallery is a real treat. Traditional style barns are my favorite, but these new barns are impressive. Serious farming needs serious equipment and serious storage space.

    I’ve never seen a stone silo before and the one featured today is a beauty. Clearly Iowans like white and gray for their buildings and that makes for awesome photos against that blue sky.

    Great gallery Dan. Enjoy today’s cooler temperatures!

    Ginger 🦋

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Ginger. We certainly didn’t have cool temps when I took these. I wasn’t even putting the window down to get a better view. It was fun riding around, though. We’d see these coming from such a distance, I’d be shocked when we got close and saw how big they were.

      Nice cool temps – I can live with that from now to November.

      Like

  25. There’s a timelessness and calm to these that I really like. And open skies! (K)

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It really is calming to drive through that country. I know I’d need some music playing to keep me from dozing off.

      Great post today. Something new for me.

      Liked by 2 people

  26. First, Dan thank you for these photos…they are Exactly the images of beauty and sprawling spaces that come to mind when I read or hear of “Iowa farmland.

    I enjoyed these photos Dan. Love the sky (as I always notice the sky in photos, just my thing) you captured the drama of what looked like coming rain in some of them too.

    The barns are a favorite so all the photos of barns are a delight. I like the one with the top section like a small loft or something. And the new barn is indeed modern and functional in character.

    Love the one with differently- shaped structures/barns.

    In essence I enjoyed all the photos. I do love the refreshing feeling of the open spaces and of farmland.

    Great sharing as always Dan. I delight.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed these photos, Suzette. The skies were beautiful during my visit (these were taken on different days). It never ceases to amaze me how massive these farming operations are.

      I love the barns that have what looks like a mini-barn on top. I can’t imagine what that structure is for, but I love it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I might be mistaken; but, I think that mini barn on top is an old style hay loft?

        Liked by 1 person

        1. It might be. I think I need to do some digging 😊

          Liked by 1 person

  27. […] contribution to Thursday Doors by Dan […]

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  28. The barns are all so beautiful! Some of them remind me of paintings.

    My door is here

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I love seeing the barns from a distance, and then up close as we approach.

      Your post was so fun!

      Like

  29. A lovely post! Here’s my contribution: http://jenniferkellandperry.com/2024/08/29/the-open-door/
    Have a great weekend. 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks! and thanks for joining us with a beautiful photo.

      Liked by 1 person

  30. Your favorite is mine as well.

    Liked by 2 people

  31. I am always a passenger. I don’t like driving and TC doesn’t like me driving so it works. Great barns!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. That’s funny, Robbie. It sounds like my wife and me. My brother likes to drive. In the midwest, distance doesn’t matter like it does around here. If I drive 45 minutes (south or north) I’m either at the shore or in another state. In 45 minutes, he’s in the next city.

      Like

      1. I think South Africa is like your midwest. You can drive for miles and miles and not see another car. It is fabulous.

        Liked by 1 person

  32. A wonderful representation of farm country!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you like this, Jan.

      Like

  33. I think I have not seen a new barn in ages 😂. So in my head, the word barn conjures up the image of a place with aged doors and a dirt floor! My entry here:

    Illusion

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Your vision is typical of what I see around here. The farms in Iowa are serious business.

      You posed a very interesting question with your post.

      Liked by 1 person

  34. Dan, I enjoyed this drive through the countryside. Thanks for sharing the photos. I agree, that brick (or stone?) one really does stand out. It looks like it’s made so that something can go (or be raised) up and down too. Yes, I’m that fascinated by it, and totally curious. (Rolling my eyes at myself.) :) Hugs.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I think that’s what that “slot” is for, Teagan. To get material in or out as the level inside changes. I guess modern techniques work differently.In any case, I’m glad you liked this.

      Liked by 1 person

  35. […] making this a better place to live, Have a wonderful Labor Day weekend! And don’t forget to visit Dan @ NoFacilities for more wonderful Thursday Doors […]

    Liked by 1 person

  36. Drive by photo-taking. Now that feels familiar! lol Thanks for sharing rural America!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. In the wide open country of the midwest, I had a lot of time to get the photos. I am always amazed. Those farms are huge, and essential.

      I liked your post!

      Liked by 1 person

  37. ❤️ these farms are essential to our life existence. Nice pics.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. They truly are – thanks.

      Like

  38. I love these pictures. We have been traveling through a lot of farming country on our current road trip and I always enjoy looking at the barns, silos, and farm houses dotting the landscape. Such a different lifestyle than my own. And, thank goodness for the farmers for doing the hard work and keeping us fed.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s very different country than what I’m used to, even in “farm country” around here. We have nothing that spans such huge distances. I can’t begin to imagine the work involved.

      Like

  39. People laugh at Indiana because it’s so flat — well, most of it — but I’ve always loved the expanse of farmland here. Such open skies, and in the summer such waves of green! Your photos are so full of peace and order that it’s easy to forget how much work it takes to make things look like that. You sure made the most of the passenger seat!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I do love being in the passenger seat out there. On several occasions, my brother drove me to Omaha for a flight, and the ride was amazing. Watching the fields light up with the rising sun was a thrill. I’m not used to being able to see so far.

      Liked by 1 person

  40. I like Midwestern barns, not only the doors !
    These are more doors from Munich, one is rather special:

    Doors in Neuhausen/München

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The barns and other structures always amaze me.

      You have great doors today, and talk about amazing – those gates!

      Liked by 1 person

  41. Field of Dreams. Love the barns!

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  42. I know these are some lovely images and they must look even better in person. However, being a horror movie fan, I cannot stop myself of thinking that these could be a great location for such movies. A lot of slasher movies I’ve watched have barns in the plot and hence. I hope you don’t take it wrong. :)

    Like

  43. Nice! Also, looks like home to me :)

    Liked by 1 person

  44. You captured some interesting barns! Were there any round barns out that way?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I saw one during an earlier visit that has been made into a home.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Barn conversions can be very nice.

        Liked by 1 person

  45. […] own Thursday Doors post each (or any) week and then share a link to your post in the comments on Dan’s blog post. Check out all the other door posts […]

    Like

  46. I love farms and barns, but the Iowa landscape isn’t my cup of tea. It’s beautiful but I need more props. Trees and such. 🤪

    Liked by 1 person

      1. I know. Been there. 😉

        Like

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