Covered Bridges

Travel America, Sept-Oct, 2004

* The Oct. 9-10 Madison County Covered Bridge Festival in Winterset, Iowa, is the best time to come see the area popularized in the Robert James Waller novel and subsequent movie starring Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep. Weekend festivities include old-time craft demonstrations (like soap- and rope-making), an antique vehicle parade, a collectible coin and belt buckle auction, quilt and classic car shows, and bus tours to the historic covered bridges.

Winterset's main year-round attraction is the Birthplace of John Wayne. Contact: Madison County Chamber of Commerce, (800) 298-6119; www.madisoncounty.com.