Another Bucket list for me and a True Legend – James Earl Jones (Sept. 2024)

If you haven’t picked up on it yet, we like visiting movie and television site locations – especially me! I’m a huge movie buff and love learning about the “making of films” and the actors who play in them. The original “Star Wars” was released when I was 9 years old and who can forget the “voice” of Darth Vader – the larger than life James Earl Jones. He was truly one of the most admired American actors of our lifetime.

James Earl Jones died on September 9, 2024 at the age of 93. He was a pioneer for all actors, especially black actors and one of the few people to achieve EGOT (winning Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards). He received many life achievement awards, including the Kennedy Center Honor in 2002. How great it would have been to see him on the live stage! (tidbit: I saw Dustin Hoffman in “Death of a Salesman” at the Kennedy Center and fell asleep during the play. Granted I was only 16, on a trip with friends and had not slept in days…but I can’t believe I would fall asleep with James Earl Jones acting!)

JEJ was a pre-med major in college and served as an Officer in the Army during the time of the Korean war. One of the most extraordinary things about him was that he had a childhood stutter, which he overcame to become one of the most well-known voices of our time! One of my many favorite movies with JEJ is “Field of Dreams”.

So of course it was a forgone conclusion that we visit the “Field of Dreams” movie site when we stayed at Riverview Ridge Campground in Cascade, Iowa. We re-watched the movie right before we visited. I could watch that feel-good movie every year!

The town of Dyersville is quaint and we had good pizza at Chad’s downtown.

They encourage donations for visiting the site and there is a charge for touring the home.

Tours of the house were over by the time we arrived.

Dennis Miarecki Stillman came to Dyersville, Iowa in 2012 with an ambitious dream to expand and preserve the famous “Field of Dreams” movie site by creating a youth sport tournament complex – All-Star Ballpark Heaven. In Denise’s words: “Reach for your dreams, no matter what they may be. Be true to yourself. And dare to make a difference in the world.” It was her wish that all who visit may share the special feelings that many experience while standing on this sacred piece of baseball history. Legend has it that by rubbing Denise’s face on her plaque, that both you, your family and the Field of Dreams will prosper, thrive and have great fortune.