Pass The Gravy

This is meat and potatoes country. Oh and don’t forget the sweet corn! It seems that we spend our time eating while planning what and where we will eat the next meal. We have sampled sweet corn from four different counties (so far). Everyone claims to have the best so we are compelled to try it and see for ourselves. Some more of my favorites; MaidRites (ground beef sandwiches), rhubarb pie, and fresh green beans right out of the garden.

Little Wall Lake - On a beautiful Sunday afternoon we went to Little Wall lake and had a picnic. This lake is about 3 miles from where I grew up. so memories of fishing, swimming and doing boy things ran through my memory that day. It was so nice and restful to just sit and wait for the sun to set.

Amana Colonies – This past week we took a side trip to southern Iowa and the Amana Colonies. Over 150 years ago a group of German immigrants established a communal settlement on 26,000 acres of land in the Iowa river valley. They founded seven villages and called their new home Amana. The name Amana was taken from the song of Solomon 4:8 and means “to remain true”. They farmed the land, established woolen mills, bakeries, meat shops, furniture shops and other businesses to provide their needs. Today, these businesses continue to thrive. Most are located in historical structures that are part of the National Historical Landmark called Amanas.

While in the Amanas, we toured the woolen mill, watched the craftsmen create beautiful handmade furniture out of walnut and cherry woods at the furniture factory and of course fattened up on some of the best German food this side of the Mississippi. The restaurants serve up huge portions “family style”. You want more? Just ask for a refill and another huge bowl of food will be served. I had to agree with a neighbor camper who exclaimed that he had to leave Amana “because there’s just too much good food to be had”.

National Balloon Festival, Indianola Iowa - We attended, or at least attempted to attend, the annual balloom festival in Indianola. When I say we attempted well we were about a half hour late from missing lift off. There were over 100 balloons and seeing them all up floating over the Iowa countryside was an impressive site to be sure. We ended up chasing them along with several hundred other crazy balloon enthusiasts. I guess I keep forgetting that things run on time here in Iowa, no Filipino time here.

Road Revelation #8 – Make sure to operate in local time. Not only is it important to adjust your clocks to the local time but to also consider the local customs and traditions. Around here in Iowa, if you snooze you lose.