My wife and I have visited all 50 states. Now when we travel domestically, we target a state or states to go back to so we can hit the highlights or lowlights we may have missed. This trip was centered around a three day seminar I was to attend in Ames, IA. We left NC early so we could catch a few highlights in KY on our way to Iowa. Our intention was to cover Iowa and Nebraska primarily on this trip.
My wife is a retired HS Guidance Counsellor. We still drive by any colleges we happen to pass. On this trip we attempted to see UK in Lexington, KY. With so much construction going on in and around the university, we will have to go back another day to see the KY. We did manage to drive around four other campuses, the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa State University in Ames, the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and the University of Missouri in Columbia. All really nice campuses.
After stopping in Lexington to see the University (maybe next trip) we stopped at a needlework store for my wife. This is one of her hobbies, so we stop at needlework stores whenever we travel. You may have seen some of her work with the Alabama sampler she did for Dee. From there we drove to Louisville through some of the most beautiful country. We passed horse barns that were nicer looking than a lot of places I have lived. We stopped for the night there. After dinner, we drove around and found a really interesting little bar (the Bacon Bar) in Jeffersonville, KY.
You know I had to stop. My wife waited in the car while I went in to see what this place was all about. They cook their own meats on their smoker. It smelled like heaven outside. They make their own rubs and sauces and use some of their smoked bacon to infuse several brands of bourbon. I wished I hadn’t eaten. If I ever go through that area, I want to stop and enjoy a meal. I called Tee to tell him about this place. I have the owner’s card and he will be in touch with them.
Our first stop in Iowa was Davenport. We had seen some interesting old homes on one of the HGTV shows. We were a bit disappointed to not see any really old Victorian-style houses. On our way to Iowa City we passed the World’s Largest Truck Stop on Iowa 80.
Our next target of opportunity was Herbert Hoover’s birthplace. We stopped and toured around his home which is still there today. Not very big by any standards. I would have a difficult time staying there today.
Our next stop was Iowa City to see the University of Iowa. We enjoyed lunch at a local restaurant right off campus in the downtown area. Good burger, but nothing to brag about.
Our next stop was Waterloo. My wife wanted to go see where the Sullivan Brothers had lived. The town has honored them with 5 Sullivan Brothers Convention Center.
We found where their house used to be. It is now a park dedicated to them. In case you don’t know who the Sullivan Brothers were, I’ll give you a very brief bio. They were five brothers who joined the Navy during WWII and served on the same ship together. The ship was sunk in a battle in 1942 and all were lost. Their lives were memorialized in the 1944 film, The Sullivan Brothers. As a result of their deaths, the Navy changed it’s policy to not allow siblings to serve on the same ship together.
We made another side trip to Ackley, IA. This was the birthplace of my daughter-in-laws grandparents. Small town, not too much to see. However, I did come across one picture that was worth taking. Grumpy’s Bar. There are more than a few of us on this forum that fit right in at that bar.
We had to stop at the Amana Colonies. Interesting town. Lots to see. In fact, if you are really into that kind of town, you almost have to spend the night in one of their B&B’s. I’m not that into it, so we spent a fairly long day there. We stopped at a first rate quilting shop. My wife doesn’t quilt, but her sister does. I ended up taking pictures and texting them to her so she could decide if she wanted us to pick up any supplies. After running my batteries down on my phone and approaching $100 in supplies, we finally left there. Enjoyed lunch in a German restaurant (the Ronneburg Restaurant) in town. My wife had her favorite, brats and sauerkraut. I had a pork cutlet sandwich that was delicious. I did take a picture of their pickled ham recipe. Outstanding and looks easy to make.
We drove back to Cedar Rapids next. This town was amazing. There is a Czech-Slovak Museum that should not be missed. A wonderfully constructed museum. The building was flooded by a storm back in 2008. They moved the building to it’s current location and re-opened it in 2012. During the move they did not break so much as a brick or any windows in the building. The entire process of moving the building is documented on film. Quite a feat. They also moved an original Czech pioneer home next to the main museum. This was a much easier task. I saw a Czech Proverb in the museum that I just had to post here. I like their style.
We went to the local Czech bakery in town and sampled some wonderful pastries. That was in lieu of lunch.
Next up was Ames. We arrived several days before my seminar was slated to start. Our intention was to do some sightseeing, with Ames as our base. Since we had been to Lubbock, TX and had seen the Buddy Holly statue there, we decided that we needed to go to Clearlake and check out the town and the famous crash site.
The original Surf Ballroom burned down many years ago. It was located right on the lake front. The new Surf Ballroom is in a different location, about a block off the lake. Here are a few photos around the Surf.
We just had to find the crash site and visit it, too. The farmer that owns the field where the crash occurred has allowed visitor access to the site. The access to the site is marked with a pair of giant black rimmed glasses. It is a long hike back to the actual crash site, and it was hot that day. We did it anyway. Boy did I need a cold beer after that.
After the seminar was over we headed for Omaha, NE. Another target of opportunity crossed our paths. The Museum of Danish America in Elkhorn, IA. A little off the beaten path, but worth the stop. They had a special exhibit that piqued my interest, a SKOL exhibit. Lots of history about the various Danish drinks and drinking. I took two pictures of recipes for aquavit. Might have to try these, too.
This concludes Part 1 of our trip. Nebraska and the return trip home.
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