Freedom ride
Joe Plane takes time for adventure
Joe Plane is a self-proclaimed nerd for tourists’ spots, and with a lot of time on his hands from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Iowa Central swim coach embarked on a trek that’s going to take some time, but has a lot of sentimental value in his life.
With the weather warming up and the thrill of feeling the wind at his face on his motorcycle, Plane started the journey of visiting all the Freedom Rocks in Iowa.
“It was kind of a spur of the moment thing (visiting the Freedom Rocks), but I’m a nerd for tourist traps,” said Plane who took the trip on his 2001 Kawaski Vulcan 750. “Two or three years ago my family and I visited the largest frying pan in Iowa (Brandon), largest popcorn ball (Sac City), the Mallard Duck, the Indian in Pocahontas and the bull in Audubon. We also have some other stuff planned as a family.
“I like to have a destination when I ride my motorcycle and I thought this would be a great thing to be able to do.”
With temperatures reaching the 60s on Tuesday, Plane decided it was the perfect time to start the adventure that had a lot of meaning for him.
The Freedom Rocks were created by artist Ray Sorensen and designed to honor veterans and provide a unique piece of art to each of Iowa’s 99 counties.
“I was never in the military, but a lot of people in my family were,” Plane said. “My father, grandfather, great-grandfather, stepfather and father-in-law were all in the military. My grandfather was drafted at the age of 47 in World War II as part of the old man’s draft and everyone else volunteered to fight and put their life on the life.”
Plane’s first stop was in Humboldt County to visit the Freedom Rock in Livermore. On his first day he also rode to Kossuth County (Whittemore), Pocahontas County (Rolfe) and back to Webster County to see the Fort Dodge rock.
“Usually for the beginning of the season for the past two or three years, I have my team run to the Freedom Rock in town,” Plane said. “I explain what it means and that there are bigger things in life than ourselves.”
While in Rolfe, he learned a lot more about the Freedom Rocks and how they began.
“In Rolfe I stopped at a gentleman’s house where he had a rock in his front yard,” Plane said. “He had some history with the military in his family so it was painted in his front yard.
“It was great visiting with him as he showed me some historic memorabilia. He had three eagle statues, a Cy statue and a big barn with lots of memorabilia.”
On Wednesday Plane went to Hamilton County (Stratford), Boone County (Boone), Greene County (Jefferson) and Calhoun County (Rockwell City). Thursday’s lone trip came with the company of his 18-year-old son Aiden Trimble in Sac County (Sac City).
“It’s really special to visit these rocks that mean so much,” Plane said. “With not being out as much (with COVID-19), to be able to ride my bike, and enjoy the beautiful Iowa land and the freedom that these rocks represent is a great feeling.
“The ride (Wednesday) I was able to see the beautiful land that we have in this state. People say it’s just flat land with corn, but the makeup of this state is unbelievable. To be able to see all the river towns was pretty cool.”
There are currently 87 Freedom Rocks in 87 counties with 12 more rocks planned to fill all 99 counties in Iowa and Plane plans on visiting them all.
“I want to visit all 99 counties once they’re all done,” Plane said. “It will be neat to go see all of them because of what they stand for.”