Now if you were to turn east and go through Ottumwa, you would be at my front door. That route would be just as good :o) Yes, Kalona is a fun place to visit...you should try some of the pumpkin fudge they have at this time of year. Is your daughter an Iowa Hawk?

Moni, is this the one who just got married? And lived where it's nice and warm, like AZ or NM?
Leslie

Maybee, tell me more. You can mail me through "my page". No, she is not a sports fan at all.

Leslie, that is the daughter that used to live in Korea, and then she lived near us while we were still in Tulsa. She came back from Korea last September.

The other one lives in Albuquerque, and got married in 2006, and is expecting my first grand child. :)

Moni

I enjoyed seeing the Amish quilts in Kalona. I also enjoyed seeing the Amish buggies being pulled by horses. I bought some great cinnamon rolls at an Amish grocery. I might be able to meet up with you near Des Moines. Maybe I can talk Sandy into coming along.

Okay, youngest daughter is expecting your bundle of joy. Hopefully I'll keep that straight.
Sounds like a fun place to visit. I'd sure like to meet up with you, Linda and Sandy.
Leslie

OK, ladies, the way I see it, it will be a rather long day (for me anyway) to get to Des Moines. I could spend a night there easily.

The reason for the arrival on the 6th, is that is the last day of tests for Ulrike's "boy friend".

I really don't want to cause a bad grade. :)

With other words, tell me a good place... , I spend a night, and gladly meet with anyone that can come.

I have no reason not to leave a day or two earlier, for my trek north east.

Moni

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

Hmm Maybee, that doesn't look to far, from Des Moines.

What if you came to Des Moines? Sounds like Linda and Leslie might.

Moni

Moni,
We visited Amana Colony near Iowa City just before that last Iowa gathering at Sandy's. We found it to be very interesting as we visited many shops around their town. This was also our first experience with a meal served "Family style." We sat down and they started bringing all sorts of bowls of food. There was no way we could eat half of what they brought, but we tried. It was wonderful!

I'm guessing your DD is very happy there!
Enjoy your visit and I wish I was able to drive down that far and meet all of you at Des Moines.

Did you see the red line I put on that second map? Irregardless of Ottumwa, I can't see why anyone would come from the south and go clear to Des Moines to get to Iowa City..miles and miles out of your way. Unless it was for a KT meeting, of course, :o)

:)

Maybee, I feel the need for speed, when I travel such long distances. If it was spring, or summer, I would go per bike, and prolly use your route. ;)

I put both ways in my routing program and came up with 648 miles, in about 10 hours and 21 minutes, or using your route
651.2 miles in 11 hours and 26 minutes.

Not shorter, but longer in time for sure, cause speed limits are lower when not using the interstates.

I would love to get together with KT members, if possible. So far, all I ever met were super nice. Not a single ax murderer.

:)

Moni

Awwwwww crap. Do you mean I gotta leave my ax at home if I come? Keep me posted where you plan to stay, or meet up, and when, Moni. I got an appointment I'll have to cancel so I can do it.
Leslie
Psssssttt Patti, wanna go along? Anyone? Wanna go along?

Patti, I sure hope you can come along with Leslie. Looks like Sandy might come along also. If you get 5 KTers together that will be a party for sure.

Kalona ia a quaint little Amish town. Don't forget to try the local cheese! When going to Iowa City from Fairfield always stopped for cheese and the ring bologna they sell!

And then we would make bologna salad...mayo, onion, celery, pickles, mixed into the ground up bologna...and put on bread. (Preferably toast) We called these funeral sandwiches, because they were ALWAYS at the funeral meals.

Don't forget the cheese curds either. Oh my heck!