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!

Sunday, June 2, 2013, Colony Country Campground with the Reimer Kids in Coralville, IA

We started the day with breakfast at the Bluebird Cafe in North Liberty, IA, (Thanks again, Kathy and Keith). Macey figured out how to spoon scrambled eggs off of my plate and into her mouth.

 Harrison's self-portrait

Later, the whole crew - Cameron, Harrison, Maryn, Emerson (plus the grown-ups - Kathy, Keith, Erica and Chad) brought pizza out to the campground. It seemed like the kids would never run out of energy!

 Soaking up the rays

Can you do that?

I see a happy camper!

Saturday, June 1, 2013, Move to Iowa City, IA

We needed to get an early start to make it to Iowa City, IA, by noon (had a lunch date with some special dancers!). We were ready to roll by 6:45, but we wanted to wait until 7:00 before starting the engine. When we left, it looked like everyone was already up anyway - never saw so many people moving around so early! Our route was pretty straightforward - around the southern edge of Chicago and across I-80 into Iowa (263.4 miles, 1265.3 trip/60,746 total). We were surprised those Chicago gangsters could hold us up for a toll on a Federally funded, taxpayer-supported Interstate Highway, but then there really was no option.

We set up in Colony Country Campground in Coralville, IA. It was a very nice small campground with a very laid back atmosphere. We were only about three miles from Chad and Erica's home. We got there right on time to see the girls in their dance recital outfits.

Emerson looks like a princess in her recital dress.

Cameron is such a poised young lady.

Maryn conquered her fear of dogs to become Sam's good friend.