A trip to Iowa

We took a little trip to Iowa. We were gone eight days and eventually we were 4 1/2 hours from home.  We were able to spend a little time with some friends and family. I rested a lot (but evidently not enough). We ate well and had plenty of treats from some great bakeries. Ray took photos. I bought fabric.

IOWA 2021

Here's a few photos I took with my phone.

In Iowa City, there was a neat display downtown called Loop near the Graduate Hotel. One or two people can sit in the loop and push/pull the handle back and forth. Pictures go around inside the loop and lights on the outside get brighter the faster you move the handle.

Photos from Hotel Millwright which opened last October in The Amana Colonies. The hotel took over the buildings where the bales of wool arrived and where the wool was dyed.

Our huge suite in Hotel Millwright - this is part of the living room / kitchenette.

This is looking towards the door from the bedroom door. The open door is the bathroom with a closet next to it.

Lily Lake in the Amana.

Scenes in Pella, Iowa. 

We stayed on a farm in Indianola. These flowers were near the barn.

This is one of many quilt shops we found. This one is in Indianola.

Ray carried the bag of fabric that I bought at Quality Time Quilts and decided I should take a photo.

We went to the National Balloon Classic in Indianola. There were so many people. The area on the far hill was the least populated as it was the furthest from the parking. On stage were the Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. 

It was fun to see the balloons inflate and lift off.

Over 100 hot air balloons were there.

Up, up, and away!

We loved traveling again although it was quite different from our usual trips. There was no hiking but in all honesty the weather was too hot and humid be outside much until the last couple of days. Our accommodations were the one hotel, 2 AirBnb rentals and 1 VRBO rental. All were great - clean and comfortable. We both enjoyed our Iowa trip.

Now I am recovering - I might have overdone a little. I got in a fair number of steps each day (far more than usual) but I only gained 1/2 pound from all those treats so I think that is a win! I've mostly slept since we got home Monday evening. I think I'm finally feeling better tonight.