A bridge through time... Linda's parents purchased "the farm" in rural Allamakee County in 1967. The farm had been walked and worked by many hands over the decades, and past use left a signature in the form of the trees, buildings, and artifacts remaining on the site. The bluff country landscape reminded Phil Haefner of his childhood adventures and heritage in northeast Iowa, and he fell in love with the property the first time he hiked it. The Haefner family lived on site roughly 1968-1973, 1978-1983, and 1993-2021. During the "in between" years, various people rented the farmhouse. The old house was never a prize, but living in the forest nurtured the heart of every child who lived here, including my own. The woods inspired me to go study forestry, a path that led to a 32-year career as a forest pathologist with the USDA Forest Service. (Interestingly, during high school Dennis hunted ducks in the River sloughs just across the road from the "farm"... but Dennis and Linda wouldn't meet until years later, and that is a different story!)
When mom was no longer able to live by herself, we thoroughly cleared out the old farmhouse and let the fire department burn it as a training exercise in 2022. Through 2022 and 2023, we were blessed by the skills of a myriad of local craftsmen who built a new house that we are now proud to call home. They helped us bring forward components of the old house and the local forest as integral parts of the new home and guest spaces. The design and furnishings of the guest spaces serve as a bridge through time, preserving the legacy and memories of the past.
When you visit us at Iowisota, you will find hardwood flooring from the old house in the guest rooms. You will find wainscoting and doors built from trees that grew (in an oak wilt pocket!) on site. You will be surrounded by furnishings that hold warm memories and glimpses into past lifestyles. And the light touch of my parents on the land over the years has left a rich mixture of old and young native forest, a bounty for birds and wildlife. We are so excited to be here, living in the forest again, and helping share this bridge to the past and this bridge to nature.
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