Amana Colonies

A National Historic Landmark and one of America's longest communal societies, the Amana Colonies began in 1714 in the villages of Germany and continues today on the prairies of Iowa. Because of religious persecution economic depression the group left Germany in 1843 and eventually found a new home in Iowa in 1855. Seven villages were established over 26,000 acres arranged for communal living..all assets were shared and all needs provided by the society. Because of outside influences, such as radio and telephones, in 1932 the group voted to end the communal living. Thursday we visited to learn the history of the area.

We attended a performance of "Stories of Amana", a witty, endearing look at Amana's communal past with historic photos and oral histories. Excellent entertainment!

The Ladies Shopped

This is what men do when ladies shop!

The campground gave us a gift of a pound of local sausage, we went to collect and also purchased cheeses and smoked pork chops. We had lunch at the Ox Yoke Inn, world famous for German food served family style....we ate sausage and drank German beer. Of course we didn't miss the bakery for goodies.

On the three hour Village Voyage tour we saw all seven villages with stops at historical points of interest; communal kitchen, communal house, tinsmith's workshop, an artist's studio in an historic church, and more.

Amana furniture

For further info go to www.amanacolonies.com

Today is rest day...time for laundry, coach cleaning, etc..... then Happy Hour and our communal dinner.  Tomorrow we move on to Des Moines to see the state capitol a short 94 miles.

Amana, IA

Happy Hour at the campground

Watchin NCIS on outdoor RV

Yesterday we crossed the Mighty Mississippi traveling 240 miles to Amana. We'll be here five days.

Today's adventure was to the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum at his birthplace, Long Branch, IA.  Hoover was the scapegoat for the Great Depression but he served our country in many important ways and died in 1964 as a respected elder statesman.  http://www.hoover.archives.gov

Springfield, IL

Illinois State Capitol

Today Jack &  I toured the "old" state capitol and the "new" state capitol. The city is full of Abraham Lincoln history....he lived and worked, served in the state legislature, ran for President and is buried here. At the reconstructed old capitol we had a fabulous tour guide dressed in period clothes. We learned secrets and hidden places. .....stories of the relationship between Lincoln and Stephen Douglas.... entertaining and educational. At the present capitol we enjoyed the beautiful architecture and lavish decorations.  Still hot here but only 90. Tomorrow we roll to Amana, IA.

Paducah, KY

So hot here we thought we'd beat the heat and start sighseeing early....didn't work, we all sweated! This city is at the confluence of the Ohio and Tennessee Rivers, founded in 1827 by William Clark of Lewis and Clark fame.  We're at the flood wall on the Ohio River viewing more than 50 life-sized panoramic murals depicting Paducah's past and rich history. Very beautiful!

Jack's favorite

An outstanding stop was the the National Quilt museum.....exhibiting the finest quilts and fiber art in the world. Stunning, unbelievable beauty from 200 year old quilts to the latest in fine art made with fabric and thread. Please view some at www.quiltmuseum.org

 

A fun stop was at the Purple Toad Winery for tasting and tour. The group purchased many bottles of wine, t-shirts, wine glasses...we liked it!
We lunched at  Kirchoff's,  a bakery and deli since 1857, five generations have run the business. Can Chip handle that sandwich???

Metropolis

After a short and safe drive of 140 miles we arrived at the campground in Paducah, KY.  Blazing hot here! We took a sightseeing trip to Metropolis, IL to visit Superman just across the Ohio River.

The main reason to visit Metropolis is to see the huge Superman statue.It is gorgeous! Of course the town has a  Superman museum & gift shop....also a casino along the river.

Rolling Rally

 

The Rolling Rally is underway! We met Nick & Ann Paul (on left) and Chip & Sarah Wright at the campground near Nashville. We know them from our NC club, Coastal Tarheels. The rally has shrunk in projected size; we meet the final couple in North Dakota later in the trip. After Happy Hour in the Wright's coach we dined at Outback. The fellows are great kidders and this trip promises to have many, many laughs. The group unanimously elected me Honorary Rally Master.....a great honor, you think?

As an extra treat, the campground had fireworks last night. We could watch from our coach, lots of ooohs and ahhhs. Today we travel only 148 miles to Paducah, KY.

On the Road Again

Hooray! We are on the road again!

This time for a 2 month Rolling Rally...heading north to the Great Lakes region. We spent July 4th in Knoxville for free camping at Buddy Gregg's RV dealership. Had a wonderful dinner at Bonefish Grill...happy hour food and drink...just our style!  Today we travel to Nashville to meet our Rally Master and the first two coaches of our caravan.