Des Moines, Iowa: Big City Cow and Calf

The cow and her calf are still there, and they look great!

These festive bovine stand strong through all types of weather and are always dressed for the holiday. More of a local staple than a roadside attraction. If you're getting off the highway to eat or go to the sculpture garden, it's worth driving by but, probably not a typical tripper's standalone oddity.

I visited the Anderson Erickson Dairy in Des Moines to see the Big Cow and Calf. They are doing well standing on the corner of E. University and Hubbell. However when approaching from the east the Dairy has a couple of cow heads mounted on the wall. At first I thought this was what I was looking for and took this image. Then when driving out I spotted Annie and Eric right on the corner.

Someone hit the little cow [with a car] and it's temporarily not being displayed. They took it down after they hit it.

Someone took off with Eric the calf, in the process damaging the cow Annie's leg. Eric has been found, but has been damaged beyond repair. Annie's leg has been bandaged and a memorial cross marks where Eric used to be. According to the Des Moines Register, Eric will have to be put down.