Puglieses Point, Sports
Field of Dreams Still Rocks
Posted on Nov 09, 2009 by Nick Pugliese.
It’s been 20 years since we all heard the question, “Is this heaven?”
As well as the answer: “No, it’s Iowa.”
This past Sunday, I took my recently arrived family to Dyersville to see the main site of “Field Of Dreams,” the ballfield, white farm house and rows and rows of corn where the supposed Hall of Fame major-league players came and went. Happy to say, it still looks just like the film. Even the bleachers and lights are up.
It was my second trip; I took my parents, who visited last month, up there. That time, I played catch with my dad on the field. Unlike the main character in the film, I’m happy to say my father always was there to play catch with me. He instilled a love of sports that lasts to this day.
That’s something I want for my daughters. So, this time, my wife, Denise, daughters Victoria and Alexandra and I all had fun on the field, hitting baseballs, playing catch and running the bases, just like thousands of others have done the past two decades. We even walked out to the corn field past the outfield and went deep in search of Shoeless Joe Jackson. Found corn, no Joe.
We had a picnic on the grass in front of the house, talked about Kevin Costner and that cute little girl who almost choked on the hot dog — yes my daughters, ages 7 and 4, have seen and enjoyed the movie with some help from mom — and bought souvenirs.
We later drove up to the bluffs that frame the Mississippi River in Guttenberg and marveled at that mighty body of water and the quaint little town, and promised to come back and spend more time.
And, on a sunny, breezy, postcard-perfect day in early November, we agreed that this indeed was heaven.
OPon a picture-perfect early November day, realized something many of you already know.
Pugonick
10. Nov, 2009
A very heart warming story! Looks like you and your family are starting to get acquainted with Iowa and enjoying its better qualities.You seem to have the right attitude about sports and your blogs about sports and life in general are really entertaining and pleasant to read.Hope your stay in Iowa remains as pleasant as your trip[ to the Field of Dreams was.
abeemer2
10. Nov, 2009
What a great story! Love the personal touches you add to your sports blogs on a daily basis. Like you, my father was always there for me too always teaching me good lessons about life. I am sure you will be teaching your daughters the same principals. Good luck to you and your family as you enjoy the good life in Iowa. You sure are making it sound like heaven!
nickpugliese
10. Nov, 2009
Thanks for the kind comments. We actually watched the movie again last night and the girls were very excited to point out the house and field every time they came on.
ctiger
10. Nov, 2009
Welcome to Iowa. I hope that next summer or fall, you will have time to travel the Great River Road to the north.
Yellow River State Park and Effigy Mounds are worth visiting also.
nickpugliese
10. Nov, 2009
Thank you …. and I do plan on driving all over this great state as well as the neighboring states in the years to come. Of course, my wife already is planning a trip to the Ikea located outside Chicago!
Lew321
11. Nov, 2009
I know of a middle aged couple that moved to San Francisco when a job opportunity opened up. They returned 7 years later saying they missed Iowa. "This state has a subtle beauty of it's own," they said. Here you can spread out and be yourself for half the price. Also, the real Field of Dreams is more than a particular location for a great movie. The real one exists within one's own heart. You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars to travel half way across the country to play ball. Look to your own back yard or a nearby park.
nickpugliese
11. Nov, 2009
I couldn't say it better myself.