Iowa City, Iowa & Great Hospitality

Neither one of us were looking forward to being in Iowa. We had no idea that the one place we thought was going to be the most boring, actually was one we will never forget. We spent the morning driving from Bloomington, MN to Iowa City. We made our usual pit stop to take our photo at the welcome sign.

We had plans to camp for about 4 days. We didn't stay in a national park, as we couldn't find one near Iowa City. We had an event scheduled at Fin & Feather while being here. This was going to be a unique event as it was technically a 2 day event for us. The first night would be us at the retail store giving our usual presentation and then the following day we would be at their small lake where they have rental kayaks and paddle boards teaching and helping women get inspired to try them out!

We were both pretty excited about this event. We arrived at Lake McBride State Park in the afternoon. There wasn't many other campers there just yet, as it was a weekday when we got there. We knew it would fill out though considering it was Memorial Day weekend. We quickly set up camp and in doing so our neighbors across the way struck up conversation with us. This would be our first time in a campground since having our vehicle wrapped so, we were prepared for conversation everywhere we went.

It was this couple maybe in their 70's who had this gorgeous RV. They had invited us over for dinner and to chat. So we hung around their fire for a while telling them all about what we were doing, where we were going, and where we had been. They seemed to have enjoyed our company. Unfortunately for us, they were leaving the next day to avoid the crowds (they were locals). The next morning on their way out, they offered to give us some food they had left over. They gave us 2 rib eye steaks, ground beef fresh from Iowa, and this bag of pretzel mix which was amazing! We were so grateful we met them. We all exchanged addresses and info to keep in touch and later for us to send them a thank you card and let them know where we were.

We had our event the next evening. We geared up, packed the car and headed to Fin & Feather for what would be our 5th event of the summer. This was such a great group of ladies who had come out. Not to mention F&F did such an amazing job catering to a "Ladies Night" for our event. There was drinks, wine, cake, and all kinds of snacks to munch on! It was so exciting. Here is where we met by far some of the most enthused ladies. It was probably our largest group yet, and all of them seemed as though they loved the outdoors just as much as us. But what do you do in Iowa?

Well, boating is the thing in Iowa, more so than climbing big mountains. Which was ok with us. Temperature the next day were supposed to be pretty warm, 80's if I recall correctly. So, Becca and I decided to go down to the rental facilities where we had to be later that night and asked if we could take some boats out during the day. They were kind enough to let us use them all day for free. This would be my first time on a stand up paddle board. I was super excited to try it. Maybe a little nervous too.

It took some getting used to once I stood on it, but then after that it was a breeze. There isn't much balancing to do on a paddle board, and it is by far one of the most peaceful activities I feel you can do on the water. My goal by the end of the day was to land a headstand on one... even if it took me falling in a couple times. I was determined. A few hours of paddling on the lake and we were getting hungry.

The nice part about living out of your car, is that you always have everything you need with you. We went back to the car and broke out the Jetboil and some Mountain House. Lunch was served in the parking lot. We got a few weird looks, but hey, what did we care we had the coolest job in the world. Back out on the paddle boards once again. Here goes. I was finally ready to give it a try. It took a few times trying to get myself up in position before I made it somewhat up. I didn't have the straightest legs, but I did it! Also, without falling in! I was so proud of myself. A little while later a few women showed up for our on the water educating. Some were so nervous that they just watched as others went out to try it, then eventually getting themselves to go. All of them had so much fun out there and all came off the water with the biggest smiles on their faces! Such a good feeling to inspire others to try new things and watch them quickly fall in love with it.

Jetboil Parking Lot Lunch!

Well it had been a long day in the sun and the 2 of us were ready for bed. However, the next morning was Becca's Birthday!!! We got to celebrate hers at the beginning of our trip and mine at the end. It couldn't have worked out more perfectly. So in order to make it a good birthday, Becca wanted just one thing. Ice cream cake for breakfast. Sounds great, minus one thing- we don't have a freezer to keep it cold. We awoke bright and early that morning and hit the closest grocery store right when they opened, which was 8am I believe. We found whatever the best ice cream cake was and brought it back to camp. In the days prior we had made our usual Target stop, and while I was there I picked up a few small things for her for a gift. However, we had no room in the car for much so when I say small, I mean small. She had been suffering from the worst allergies since we hit the road, so I bought her some tissues, fireworks, candles, loofa, and her favorite small cans of coke.

My bug suit-bugs were awful!

We put the candles in the cake and lit them, and face times both her parents and Josh and Harper so everyone could "be there" to sing happy birthday to her. We ate pretty much half of the cake for breakfast. I'd say it was a hit. We decided to spend the rest of the afternoon at the small beach at the campground relaxing. It was a good plan. We basked in the sun for a while enjoying the somewhat cloudy day. Later that night our new neighbors who had just gotten there that afternoon had struck up conversation with us about our cool tent. This couple had 2 young boys. We all got to chatting and then they invited us over for dinner and dessert. Little did we know, they would make Becca's birthday quite a treat. We enjoyed dinner with them at their camp, and then they made the best dessert over the campfire. They consisted of a sugar cone filled with chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, peanut butter, and banana. WoW! These were amazing!!

While at our camp that morning we also came up with the idea for the "Period Pouch". This was very creative. Being a women specific tour, most women will ask about being in the back-country while it's that time of the month. How do you deal with it? Will the bears smell it? Where do you put your trash as a leave no trace rule? A period pouch is a plastic sandwich bag covered in whatever fun duct tape you like on the outside (also, acts as a place for your tape) and in the inside you have a second baggy for your waste. That way while on trail especially with others when it can be embarrassing, you put your waste into the second baggy and then into the taped one. That way when you take it in and out of your bag no one knows or can see the yuckyness in your baggy.

We were really starting to enjoy our time in Iowa very much. We were meeting some of the nicest people around. Not to mention, 2 ladies we met at our event exchanged phone numbers with us and asked if we would want to join them for their Memorial Day cookout on their boat. So we had tentative plans for that the next day!

We were up early again the following morning and we were looking to do some exploring. We took a walk around the campground and then asked a few locals what there was to do around here or something cool to see. We got about a 50/50 split of some who recommended the Fossil Gorge and some who didn't think it was worth going too. We took a chance and went for it. We eventually found it, parked the car and started exploring. This was by far one of the coolest things I had ever seen. The rocks had millions of small fossil formations in them, from years and years ago. They were uncovered by a massive flood that had happened.

We spent a good half of the morning here until we heard from Kara & Beth. Then we headed to their place on the lake and spent the rest of the afternoon with them on their boat. We had such good laughs. We met a ton of new fun people. While out on the boat it kind of broke down on us, and Becca being the person she is, fixed it! Woohooo! She had saved that day and everyone was so grateful. It was a great time spending a holiday weekend with such great people.

After our adventure on the boat we decided dinner that night would be at a local brew. Plus we had to get our local Beer still. So we found a spot that was hoping and enjoyed dinner and drinks there. It was by far one of the best meals I had ever had. And the beer was pretty damn good too! While sitting at the bar we got to talking to the bartender who was really nice and told him what we were doing and he was kind enough to give us a growler on the house. We were so thankful for that, and in return gave him a free pair of socks we had in the car and told him to follow us.

The next morning was the end to our great adventure of Iowa, and we knew we had a long boring drive ahead of us to Omaha, Nebraska. However, Kara and Beth had suggest to avoid the major interstates and take this road that crosses the entire state and is an Amish route. We took their word and followed that route. We were so glad we did, because we passed some of the coolest unique things.

 

It was raining off and on as we passed through thunderstorms, and at one point during a torrential downpour to our right we spotted these massive metal statues. One was of a t-rex so of course I yell, Becca we have to pull over! She immediately agreed and pulled over. The two of us jump out of the car take our photos and run back- soaking wet. It was moments like those that were what we wanted this trip for. Later on down the road we would eventually pass Amish farmlands, and then the first town we came into we noticed a Dairy Queen. We both stopped to use the rest room and then to get an ice cream. As soon as we got back into the car, at the first corner was an Amish mother and 2 daughters selling goods at their farm stand. We got out took a look and noticed pickles. We bought them and enjoyed them as our snack on our drive over to Omaha. This route was a big hit for us and we were both glad we took it.

Overall, Iowa was nothing like we had expected it to be. I wasn't really sure what to expect. I just have always heard the typical, it's just corn fields there, nothing else. Well, I learned that the people in Iowa had the BEST hospitality that we came across in the entire country. There wasn't a weekend like that in the entire rest of the trip. We both needed that kind of experience to forget about the one previously where someone had stolen our clothing. We needed to be reminded that there are good people in the world, and obviously some bad. I can not thank every person I met that weekend enough, for giving me such a wonderful experience in Iowa!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY!!