Badge entry Ritva
Ritva at Ritva Sillanmäki Photography

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.

The badge contest ended in a tie, so I will be altering the badge I use here, but you are welcome to use either of the winning badges.

We stayed close to Ames, my brother’s home town, while in Iowa, and most of the doors are ones I’ve shared before. I snapped a few doors as we were running errands and heading out to eat. I also took a few during our visit to see Stink Floyd.

Before I share the gallery, I’d like to give you an update on the Thursday Doors Writing Challenge (TDWC). Saturday will be the last day for entries (but I won’t really check until Sunday morning, wink wink). As of the preparation of this post, we have 60 entries, which exceeds last year’s count by a decent amount. 60 entries, and we aren’t done! I will remind you that I have read every one of these entries, and I am impressed!

So, here are some things you can do: 1) Visit the TDWC page, pick a door and create something wonderful. 2) Visit the TDWC page and read a few entries. 3) Check out the gallery below. 4) Follow some of the links in the comment section and see some beautiful doors from around the world.

Whatever choice you make, I assure you, you will enjoy the results.

If you are in a hurry and don’t wish to scroll through the comments, click to Jump to the comment form.

108 responses to “Misc. Iowa Doors”

  1. Great doors Dan, I love that small church. How was Stinky Floyd?? Here are my doors this week https://wrookieschu.com/2025/05/29/doors-of-wordpress-v120/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’ve been trying to get a good photo of that church for years, Wayne. There’s usually too much traffic. Stink Floyd bloomed while I was there, and considering that it only blooms for 48 hours once every 4-5 years, I was extremely lucky to be there.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. Oh wow that’s cool. Yes it’s great to get that shot with no traffic, not an easy feat at times.

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Lovely doors, Dan. I like the contrasts in the garden Centre door photograph. I’ll try for one more poem which will make 11.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thanks so much for your support of the challenge, Robbie. I thought some of the doors this year were challenging, but you’ve done very well with them.

      Liked by 2 people

  3. Good morning Dan and congratulations on the amazing achievement of sixty and counting entries at TDWC you certainly have a loyal following! A talented one too.

    I like all your photos this week! I also like a plane at the end of a walkway,! 😄😄

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Willow. There’s always an uptick in the stress level seeing that empty slot at the gate, especially when it’s a connecting flight. I hope you have a great weekend.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. […] Bhutan and India have three road crossings. The main trade enters through the westernmost border town of Phuentsholing. With over 27,000 people, it is now the second largest town in the country. We were taking the most easterly road, which enters through the town of Samdrup Jhonkar. With a population of less than 10,000 people, this is still the fifth largest city in Bhutan. Between them lies the crossing in Gelephu, which has a couple of hundred people more than Samdrup Jhonkar. We had arrived in Guwahati the evening before and spent the night in a clean and convenient business hotel near the airport. We’d started at 6:30 in the morning and driven rapidly through the flat farmlands and small towns of northern Assam. Three hours later I took the featured photo of the so-called Friendship Gate. […]

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  5. Having waited eight hours for a plane to arrive at the end of my gate last evening, I really appreciate two of your photos.

    Here’s mine: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2025/05/29/a-border-crossing/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I was worried about making it to the next airport in time for my connection, but that flight was delayed over 4 hours, so I had plenty of time. Trying to find ways to occupy yourself in an airport is a challenge.

      Liked by 2 people

  6. Love the wooden doors of Jensen’s Cafe and Ficus.
    Here is my entry: https://wanderingteresa.com/5-from-lake-tekapo-to-queenstown/

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

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  8. I love that mural, very unusual.
    Here is mine:

    Thursday Doors – Culzean

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Sofia. Ames is a college town, so unusual is somewhat normal.

      Like

  9. […] creating your own Thursday Doors post each week and then sharing your link in the comments’ on Dan’s site, anytime between Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American Eastern […]

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  10. I like the small church door. Here are my doors from Delft, the Netherlands https://theredphoneboxtravels.com/2025/05/29/thursday-doors-pretty-doors-from-delft/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Tanja. I like that little church, too.

      Liked by 1 person

  11. Interesting selection

    Liked by 1 person

  12. […] Lifeboat Station doors for this week’s Thursday Doors . This brand new station was opened earlier this year, although there has been a history of […]

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  13. What? No sourdough toast? What a Pavlov — I’m conditioned to look for breakfast when you feature travel doors. Some solid Midwestern doors here. Defy and Delivery — what a duo. How many people have to go to “Defy” just to see what happens?

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I featured the breakfast photo a while back, including the pancakes. I seem to treat myself to pancakes when I travel (or when I eat out around here). I need to find out what’s behind “Defy.”

      Liked by 2 people

      1. Ah. I was going to ask, because I’ve never heard of *Defy* and Delivery. Interesting.

        Liked by 1 person

  14. I am on team small church, it’s fabulous. A good amount of great doors Dan. I am impressed with the number of stories submitted. I have read a few and was so happy to see my doors being selected to write a story on.
    Here’s my special edition for this week. back to the usual next week probably

    Going to the store (just for Dan)

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Brian. The small church is a favorite of mine. Suzette has a new entry today based on one of your photos. I think all three of yours have been used. It’s not in the table yet, but she has a link to it in the comments above.

      Thanks for the tour today!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I left a comment on her post saying that the door is like the ones here 😂😂 I can be a dummy sometimes not recognising my own photo 🙄

        Liked by 1 person

  15. Always good to take a photo of where you leave your car 😀. Reminds me of that episode in Seinfeld where the group is lost in the mall parking lot! Recently, I saw an instruction at a museum, to take a picture of the locker where one left their backpack! To be fair, it did have a lot of lockers, and probably lot of people had troubled the staff when they couldn’t find their locker!
    My entry here:

    Market Hall

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  16. Murphy’s Law Avatar
    Murphy’s Law

    Defy and Delivery! Love this. Great idea taking photo of where you parked your car. Wish I had thought of that when I was driving.

    Yes, a plane at the end of the jetway would be a must! Love that small church. Bet it has a very welcoming atmosphere inside.

    And aren’t you the ham sneaking your reflection in the picture! Lol!

    Ginger 🦋

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Ginger. The image in that door actually scared me a little when I first saw it.

      The parking lot I wanted to park in was under construction. I ended up in the garage, but it was almost full and they had reversed the traffic pattern. I usually snap a photo of where I park, but this time, I really needed one.

      I do like that little church.

      I hope you have a great weekend.

      Like

  17. Wonderful gallery, Dan. I like the sign at the Wheatsfield Co-op. It looks like a welcoming place to shop, and local co-ops groceries have the freshest local produce in my opinion,

    Love the mural, great color combinations that blend well (plus I think I see an outline of a train on the mural so…that adds another point to its charm for me.)
    I like the Jensen’s entryway door; it looks like a warm space to have a rest and a bite to eat…the tiles look newer.
    Something about the name Ficus Figs has a nice ring to it…for a story or something…I like it.

    I love that church, great brickwork and in great shape for what looks like early century construction.
    Wonderful photos all, Dan. I love the capture of the sky and your door selfie…is most excellent.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Suzette. I think Ames has over 80 trains a day passing through. We saw one on our way into Culver’s for lunch, and another as we were coming out.

      Ames is a college town, so it has a lot of life and more than a few quirky things. I always have a good time there.

      The selfie image sacred me the first time I saw it :-)

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Ames and many trains…a perfect place, I would enjoy. Thank you, Dan, for always great city tours.

        Liked by 1 person

  18. A lot of food suggested in that gallery, Dan. How do you stay thin?

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m not sure ‘thin’ is the word, GP. I do work to stay under a weight that scares me. But I don’t work too hard when traveling.

      Liked by 2 people

  19. Airports provide seemingly endless doors.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I don’t enjoy flying as much as I once did, Frank, but airports remain interesting places.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I wonder who enjoys flying these days.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. It’s the new bus, Frank.

          Like

  20. 60 entries! Thanks amazing. I love that small church.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I know! I am so pleased with the entries, Darlene. We have a lot of talented people in this community.

      Liked by 2 people

      1. We do! I was pleased to see someone used my old shed door for a poem. It was very good too.

        Liked by 1 person

  21. I wonder what goes into (or comes out of) the Defy door? I really like that mural too.

    Liked by 1 person

  22. […] Dan’s blog is where you’ll find links to dozens of more doors. […]

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  23. That’s a good mix of doors. I really like the old red brick church and your opening image inside the airport. The sky is lovely.
    I had an opportunity to try Walleye while in Ohio but, tried the Perch tacos instead. They were delicious!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks! The Walleye sandwich was delicious. We get a lot of seafood around here, but not lake fish. This was really good.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I’ll have to try the Walleye when back there. He-Man likes it too.

        Liked by 1 person

  24. Wheatsfield is such a great name for a co-op. In my mind, I picture lotta lotta healthy bread–which sounds great to me. That church is lovely. Is it a log cabin church or just the way the photo was taken? I really like it.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s brick church, but I was shooting from a moving car. I don’t know if my brother knows anything about the co-op, I should ask.

      Liked by 1 person

  25. I like the small church in Ames and the wooden doors in your collection. Here’s my entry: https://natalietheexplorer.home.blog/2025/05/27/public-art-massey-hall/

    Liked by 1 person

  26. […] Linking with Dan’s Thursday Doors. […]

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  27. Thanks for sharing, Dan. I love the old church. So much character! Sounds like a great visit.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was a great visit, Jan. It’s family, we always have a good time.

      Liked by 1 person

  28. Thanks for the photos, Dan. I’m happy you two had a good time — but sorry the trip home was such a dud. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The storms caused the delays, Teagan. Not much I could do about that. They followed me home, too. We had 2″ of rain two days after I got home.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Applesauce! Horsefeathers, and Bushwa!

        Liked by 1 person

  29. What a great idea to take a picture of where you leave your car! I couldn’t tell you the amount of time I have spent in my life wandering around parking lots and parking garages looking for my car.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That garage is very confusing, Liz. I’d still be looking for my car if I hadn’t snapped a picture.

      Liked by 1 person

  30. I like the mural too in the second photo! Nice door collection.

    Mine is here

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I like the mural, too.

      Like

  31. Great photos, Dan. I remember Walleye from living in Illinois. Delicious.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks John. I’d never had it before, but my brother has been raving about their fish sandwiches. It was delicious.

      Liked by 1 person

  32. Nice pics, Dan! I like the mural also. My best friend growing up is from Iowa. We drove through…thats a lot of corn!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Indeed it is, Kim. The fields seem to go on forever.

      Like

  33. […] This post is part of the weekly challenge Thursday Doors hosted by Dan Antion over at https://nofacilities.com/2025/05/29/misc-iowa-doors/ […]

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  34. I got my post together a bit later than planned. Here’s the link to my entry this week.

    Thursday Doors-Ottawa Co. Courthouse

    Liked by 1 person

    1. That’s a magnificent building!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Isn’t it! I’m glad you like it too. Thank you, Dan!

        Liked by 1 person

  35. A lot of ‘utilitarian’ doors in this selection. I particularly like the aeroplane gateway, such a familiar sight so rarely photographed.

    The final act from Copenhagen… at last. https://scooj.org/2025/05/29/thursday-doors-29-may-2025-copenhagen-doors-denmark/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Steve, Seeing that jetway still waiting for a plane is always stressful.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Air travel in general is stressful.

        Liked by 1 person

  36. Very cool and diverse gallery, Dan. Wow, love that the participation increased over last year. Congrats to everyone who shared their entries.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Monika. The response this year has been remarkable. The entries are all delightful.

      Liked by 1 person

  37. D.L. Finn, Author Avatar
    D.L. Finn, Author

    I liked all the doors, including your reflection :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Denise. That reflection scared me quite a bit when I first noticed it.

      Like

  38. Fried walleye sounds delicious! Glad you had such a good time. But you generally do. You must be a wonderful travel buddy. And I take pictures of where I park my car, too! Steffie was a menace to society today: https://marianallen.com/2025/05/29-may-2025-steffie-does-art/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s easy. For years, now, I only travel with our daughter and my brother. Lot’s of common ground.

      Liked by 1 person

  39. Dan I saw these an amazing doors

    Liked by 1 person

  40. I really love doors. I esp love the little church door! This has been a great series. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. it’s me.,, not anonymous 🫣

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks Holly. That little church is one of my favorites.

        Liked by 1 person

  41. The Jensens Cafe and Church were my favorites. Thanks again for the hosting this as always. My simple entry this week https://threwmikeseyez.com/2025/05/29/entree/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Mike. Jensen’s served a pretty good breakfast. We stopped on our way our of Minneapolis.

      Liked by 1 person

  42. Somehow, I cannot enter the link to my post into this form, but I think you have got it anyway.

    I wonder why airport doors have to look the same in every place of the world. But I liked the other doors, especially the one with the mural on the building.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I guess they want all passengers to be equally uncomfortable ;-)

      Like

  43. Taking a photo of where your car is parked would have been very helpful when we were abroad once, It took us hours to find the car, we knew it was near a stadium but we didn’t know there were two.

    LinsArt: Friday Catch Up 30th May 2025

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I lost my car at a stadium once. We went for a Rod Stewart concert. After we entered, we walked about halfway around before finding our seats. Totally lost the car.

      Liked by 1 person

  44. […] For Thursday Doors […]

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  45. Hi Dan,
    I liked the door with the mural. I’m so tired of traveling that I don’t want to see airport doors for a while now.

    Here’s my post for the week : https://smithavpennings.com/2025/05/31/nairobi-diaries-thursday-doors-290525-tanka-tuesday-270525/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I understand about traveling. This is the only flight I’ve made in five years, and I wish he lived close enough to drive ;-)

      Liked by 1 person

  46. Wow! I’ve lost count of the flights I’ve taken in the last five years. Earlier it was just twice a year, when we flew back home and went to some touristy place. But the last 3 years have involved a crazy amount of traveling for me. I’ve stopped saying I enjoy it now😄

    Liked by 1 person

  47. World Farmer Story Avatar
    World Farmer Story

    Nice

    Liked by 1 person

  48. Such a wide range of doors Dan….very wide range!! Love that fact as they all have a story to tell! Having said that I am partial to the architecture of the church and the doors of the church!! Thanks for sharing!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Kirt. I’ve always liked that church, but traffic has usually blocked my view of it.

      Liked by 1 person

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