Dyersville, a quaint town nestled in the heart of the Midwest, had been etched into my travel bucket list for years. It was home to the Field of Dreams — a place where baseball, nostalgia, and a touch of magic converged.

The movie came out in 1989. The first one I’ve seen Kevin Costner in. It tells the heartwarming tale of Ray Kinsella, an Iowa corn farmer. Guided by a ghostly voice, Ray plows his crops and builds a baseball field right in the middle of his cornfield. This field becomes a portal for long-departed White Sox players, ousted from the team in the infamous 1919 Black Sox scandal.

Today, the very same baseball diamond from the movie exists as a tangible slice of Americana. Located just outside Dyersville, Iowa, it stands as a testament to the enduring magic of cinema.

The Iowa scenes for Field of Dreams were shot across two neighboring farms. Don Lansing and Al Ameskamp generously lent their cornfields for the project. Most of the turf fell on Lansing’s side, creating the iconic baseball diamond.

The production company left the field behind after filming, and Lansing turned his property into a tourist attraction. Visitors can now stand on the pitcher’s mound, gazing out at the endless rows of corn, and feeling the whispers of baseball legends.

And just a short drive away was the Baseball Hall of Dreams. Owned by Dwier Brown, who played Ray Kinsella’s father in the movie, and David Feigin, this gift shop is a treasure trove for baseball enthusiasts. From signed memorabilia to T-shirts, they’ve got it all. I picked a simple fridge magnet, as I do in all of my travels.

Russell and I, then, took a leisurely drive through downtown Dyersville on our way out. Historic buildings lined the streets, I’m sure each with its own story to tell. The town exuded a timeless charm.

As we merged back onto the highway, I glanced back one last time. I was reminded that sometimes, reality and fantasy intertwine in the most unexpected places. Today, the iconic whisper — “If you build it, he will come” — echoes on.