So Long, Amana!

In a couple of days we are moving on to our next destination, Loudonville, Ohio.  We are going to miss the Amana Colonies.  It is so peaceful and quiet here.  We ride our bikes around Lily Lake almost every day.  One day after a rainy night there were quite a few water puddles on the bike paths.  I drove through every one as fast as I could.  I laughed a lot and had so much fun.  John didn't want to get his shoes wet but he said he had fun watching me have fun.  He said I looked like a 12-year-old--I felt like a 12-year-old!  Of course, when we got to Amana my shoes and clothes were wet but I didn't care.

What's the deal with my visor?

Fall is here and the shops are decorated for Octoberfest which is the first weekend in October.

Amana at dusk:

In the month we were here we were intrigued by how quickly the corn changed from green, to brown and brittle, to gone!

So long, Amana!  We hope to visit again some day.

More Photos of Amana

Here are some pictures of the Communal Kitchen and Cooper Shop in Middle Amana.  People worked hard all day.  Children went to school 6 days a week until the age of 14 and everyone attended church services 11 times a week.  The communal kitchens prepared 3 meals and 2 snacks 6 days a week.



Oven

7-Burner Stove

 

 

Ice Box



Menu



They Look Like Very Serious People

The Cooper Shop is where they made and repaired barrels.

Some other buildings in the Colonies:

Home Turned Into Bed and Breakfast

Home in Middle Amana

Barn

Amana, Iowa Part 3

Storms seem to sweep through Iowa with a vengeance. One day the clouds looked very threatening.  We were sure we were going to get clobbered with a big storm but it turned out to be just a brief rain shower--thank goodness!

The Clouds Are Moving In!





It Rained For About An Hour
















Down the street from the RV park is the Old Creamery Theatre.  We attended a live stage musical of Grease.  The singers/actors were all wonderful and we LOVED the music!

We took a break from biking to the Colonies and drove about 25 miles to Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  We visited the National Czech and Slovak Museum.  It was a reminder of how hard some countries fight for democracy and freedom--two things we should not take for granted. 

There was also an exhibit of costumes and props from the movie, Amadeus, and an exhibit of Andy Warhol art.

 



Beautiful Chandelier in the Museum



Who Is This Actor?

Cedar Rapids has many old homes that are cute and small.  Many houses had an American flag flying.  Here's a sampling:

Back in Amana, we visited some of the local wineries and cheese shops.  I am not a big drinker but I found I can "tolerate" a glass of sweet wine.  :)  I purchased a bottle of Autumn Blend, a mixture of apples and cranberries.  John bought some Habenero Ghost Cheese--BOY IS IT HOT!  Notice the tiny schmear I put on my cracker--even that was quite hot!

Amana, Iowa Part 2

Here are some pictures of Amana Colonies and the surrounding area

Cornfield Next to RV Park

Lily Lake

Lily Lake Close-Up

Metal Corn Yard Art

Woolen Mill

We paid a visit to Iowa's largest rocking chair.  It was a long climb up!

I was afraid I'd fall through the back!

Finally, ready for the picture!