Showing posts with label Iowa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Iowa. Show all posts

Sunday, June 9, 2013, Dairy Queen in Story City, IA


We went with Keith, Erica, Chad and the kids to the carousel in Story City, IA. The kids couldn't get enough of spinning wildly in the bucket. I'm not sure how none of them got sick. They all had a great time followed by a trip to Dairy Queen.


They could get it spinning unbelievably fast.

This works up an appetite.



Saturday, June 8, 2013, Scandinavian Days Parade, Story City, IA


We went into Story City, IA, for the big Scandinavian Days Parade. I believe the whole town was either in the parade or watching.




I didn't hear any singing from the Immanuel Choir, but they sure had some moves with their folding chairs! They seemed to be having a blast!




Grandpa and Grandma O's old house on Elm Street

After the parade, we walked back to the park. Near the carousel, there was a small car show. Joani found this one interesting from an artistic point of view. I have no idea what make/year it is.


Back on the farm, we drove around the fields in the Gator to assess if they could be planted. Sam has never put his head out the window when we drive, so the wind in his face was something new.

Sam liked the Gator ride!

Over at Kathy and Keith's for the evening, Joani couldn't resist roaming around for a few artsy shots.


Sometimes everyone gathers in the kitchen, sometimes it's the garage

You know she's not bashful - must be sleepy.

The Rook playing went on until well after my bedtime.

Friday, June 7, 2013, "Scandinavian Days" in Story City, IA


We went into Story City, IA, for some of the "Scandinavian Days" celebration. Phyllis took us to a church bake sale where we all had tasty homemade pie and ice cream. We walked to the park where the restored carousel is, now 100 years old. Our pictures did not do it justice so Joani photographed a postcard of it (that's not cheating, is it?)


Barbara and Donald have a new look.

Happy our coach doesn't have really BIG tires!


We went to Ames for dinner at Hickory Park Barbecue. I don't think I have ever been to a bigger BBQ restaurant. I now know why there was such a crowd - the food was great!


After dinner, we went by Jamie and Branon's new house where we got to check out their demolition progress for the new floor. We also met Lucy. She is extremely energetic and loved the attention she received from everyone.




Thursday, June 6, 2013, Amana Colonies, IA


While everyone went to Amana Colonies in Amana, IA, for some shopping and eating, I tackled cleaning the coach. Keith had an industrial-sized pressure washer he let me use. I don't think the motorhome has been this clean since it was new.


Mom said someone needed to take her credit card away. No one did, so she was free to shop - that's how it's supposed to be when you're on vacation - isn't it? I think everyone enjoyed the Amana Colonies and they left a lot unexplored for the next time.




Wednesday, June 5, 2013, At the farm, Story City, IA


My aunt Phyllis took us to lunch (at the Royal Diner in Story City, IA?) Since it was Wednesday, it was Kumla day. We each had a bowl of Kumla. My best description would be sticky potato dumplings in ham soup. It was pretty tasty even if my description doesn't sound like it would be.

Later, Donald and Barbara arrived. It's Barbara's first time on the farm, so she got the full tour of all the new equipment.  


She fit pretty well inside the wheel!

The big surprise for me was the new crop they are growing in Iowa - giant windmills! I guess they are really called wind turbines and they seemed to be everywhere. They also seemed to be running all the time. I forgot how windy it is here. You can see the fields are not green. The rain and muddy fields this year have prevented a lot of people from planting. The ones who did, have a lot of places where the seed drowned and will either need to be replanted or just abandoned this year. Not good for farming - let's hope it dries up soon.



OK, if there was ever a scene begging for HDR treatment this was it and I think it worked quite well. With normal exposure, I would have either lost the detail inside or the detail in the sky. Of course, you may be asking why I would take this picture at all - I'm afraid I can't explain that.


She's almost ready to let go!


I love visiting the farm. It's easy to see the appeal of Iowa - there is beauty everywhere you look!




Tuesday, June 4, 2013, Move to Story City, IA


We moved from Coralville, IA, to the farm, just a bit northeast of Story City, IA, (149.6 miles, 1414.9 trip/60,896 total). I think Mom appreciated having room to spread out again.

Our coach looks tiny next to the farm machinery and the buildings

Monday, June 3, 2013, Kalona, IA


We headed to Kalona, IA, to take in a little of the local flavor. We shopped at Stringtown Grocery, an authentic Amish store with almost everything sold by the pound. I guess the gas lamps were used in place of electric lights, but I'm not sure how they rationalized the battery-powered clocks.




Tasted a lot of different cheeses, but had to have some of these cheese curds. Very different taste and after they are pressed and aged they make an awesome white cheddar.

Processing cheese curds which they sell to Kraft.

This is one of many fields flooded. Only 10" of the fence posts are above water.





I can tell Sam misses the kids already!