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Iowa RV Parks & Campgrounds

admin — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 12:27:35 +0000

Before delving further into the topic, I would like to give a brief introduction of Iowa. Iowa is a magnificent state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America. It is also called “Food Capital of the World” and “American Heartland”. It is surrounded by Mississippi River from the east, the Missouri River and the Big Sioux River from the west and the Des Moines River from the south. The economy, culture, and landscape of this state are diverse. It has a humid continental climate.

If you are thinking to enjoy in the fresh air, toasting dishes over a crackling fire and staring up at a sky full of stars then camping would be the best option for you. Iowa is a famous place for camping. It offers excellent camping opportunities throughout the state. There are many RV parks and campgrounds both public and private in this state. Some of them are listed as under:

1. Ambrose A. Call State Park
Ambrose A. Call State Park is located in the east fork of the Des Moines River. It was established in the year 1928.It is a 138 acre oasis of rugged hills which are heavily wooded with virgin timber. There is a log cabin style lodge which provides excellent facility to the travelers. There are 16 camp sites in this park. Out of these 16 campsites, there are 13 full hookup campsites. These campsites have excellent electricity and clean drinking water supply. You need to register for getting camping permission. This park offers 2 miles of trails throughout the forest. Kossuth County is located near to this hotel.

2. Clear Lake State Park
Clear Lake State Park is located in South Lakeview Drive. It is a popular campground which was established in the year 1924. This park has more than 10 acres of picnic grounds. They provide shady and relaxing picnic area to the travelers. The lodge located in this park is highly spacious and well equipped with stove, refrigerator, microwave, and rustic fireplace. It is a great place for holidays or short breaks. This lodge is near to the beach. I assure you that, you will have an excellent camping experience over here. Modern restrooms, shower, cabins, and full hook up sites are provided to all the guests. You should make an advance camping reservation over here because this park is in great demand all round the year. This park is near to the Town of Clear Lake.

These are some of the fantastic RV parks and campground over here.

Read more about Camping & RV Parks. Going to Iowa? Know all Iowa RV Park

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Wine Tours – Iowa’s Thriving Wine Country

admin — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:31:45 +0000

Way back in the mid-1960’s, 1966 in fact, the state of Iowa entered into my consciousness. As a five year old at the time, it wasn’t much of a consciousness. All I really knew was Dad took a temporary job transfer and we’d be leaving Chicago to live in Iowa for a year.

Over the next 15 months, we made several long car trips to and from western Iowa to Chicago. I remember always wanting to see the Mississippi River from the big window of our station wagon.

All these years later, the Mississippi River still holds a grip on me, but for an altogether different reason. Now, historic river towns beckon with their architecture, scenery, and sense of place. And so it was as we traveled west on I-80, destination eastern Iowa wine country and one of our favorite weekend destinations – Dubuque, Iowa.

Iowa Wine

Iowa has a long history of grape growing and wine making, much like other midwestern states. The soil here is fertile and conducive to growing all sorts of crops, including grapes. In particular, the river valleys in Iowa’s western and eastern regions are perfect for vineyards.

When Prohibition arrived in 1920, Iowa farmers turned to other pursuits and the wine industry here lay dormant until the late 1980’s. Now, some 20 years later, the Iowa wine industry is in the midst of an exciting upswing. Wineries number almost 60, and Iowa’s five wine trails are introducing travelers and wine lovers to some terrific wine.

Since Interstate 80 cuts directly through central Iowa, exploring any of Iowa’s wine trails is an ideal destination or scenic detour for anyone traveling cross country.

Of Presidents And Wine

Let’s start our exploration of the Eastern Iowa Wine Trail in the small town of West Branch, adjacent to I-80 and about 45 minutes west of the Quad Cities and the Mississippi River.

If West Branch sounds even vaguely familiar to you, congratulations, you’re an historian! West Branch is the birthplace of Herbert Hoover, our 31st president, and houses the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum.

This was our first stop, and it’s highly recommended. Far from a stuffy and dusty old museum, the Hoover Presidential Library not only chronicles Hoover’s presidency, it features fascinating exhibits pertaining to all the presidents. In reality, it’s a learning center devoted to American history and specifically presidential history. We’ve visited several times over the years, and each time is more fascinating than the last.

Our first winery stop is along the Herbert Hoover Highway, about 4 miles from the Presidential Library. It’s Wallace Winery, about as scenic a setting as you’ll find. With a century old barn and a post and beam tasting room, you’ll want to linger. We felt the white wines starred here, especially the Traminette, made from the gewurztraminer grape – a great buy at $13.

Also be sure to try and buy the Iowa Barn White. This friendly, easy to enjoy white table wine is a tribute to a vanishing part of our national landscape, the old wooden barn. In fact, Wallace Winery donates a portion of profits from the sale of these wines to the Iowa Barn Foundation, a non profit organization dedicated to the preservation of historic heritage barns.

From Wallace Winery, travel north on beautiful Iowa Route 1 toward the town of Anamosa. On the way, you’ll drive right through the antiquing town of Mt. Vernon. Stop, stroll around, and enjoy small town Iowa hospitality.

In Anamosa, you’ll find Daly Creek Winery on north Ford Street. Located in a former creamery building, one of the first things you’ll notice is the Iowa red cedar tasting bar. Adjacent is Daly Creek’s 50 seat bistro, and although we didn’t eat here, the menu is inviting.

On to Daly Creek’s wines. Being a big fan of the movie “The Shawshank Redemption”, my first pour was Penetentiary Red, a Cabernet Franc that’s full bodied and full flavored. Remembering our college art appreciation classes, we also enjoyed Daly Creek’s white table wine, Gothic White. This wine is named after Anamosa, Iowa’s most famous resident, painter Grant Wood, most known for his classic painting “American Gothic”.

After grabbing a few bottles to take home, we headed east from Anamosa on Iowa Route 64. It’s about 25 minutes to Baldwin, a small village that’s home to our next winery, Tabor Home Vineyards and Winery.

We were particularly pleased to visit here, as we’ve tried Tabor Home’s wines before. Since 1997, Tabor Home has been adding to their wine offerings and racking up wine awards. These are true Iowa wines, with most bottlings created from grapes grown in Tabor Home’s vineyard.

Introducing Dubuque

From Tabor Home, it’s a short 40 mile drive north on Iowa 51 to our overnight destination, historic Dubuque, nestled along the Mississippi River at the confluence of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

Dubuque is a perfect long weekend destination that can be combined with its Illinois historic counterpart, Galena, just 20 miles away. Dubuque has been described as a river town, a history town, and a college town. Of course, it’s all three!

Dubuque: The Particulars

In Dubuque, everything starts with the river. Along the banks of the Mississippi, you’ll find a nationally noted aquarium, a 19th century restored brewery building, a redeveloped riverwalk, nightlife, boat rides, and entertainment options. Just blocks away, there’s the historic downtown district with unique shops and live jazz at night. Further west, it’s the college district, with its own style and vibe.

Dubuque is Iowa’s oldest city, celebrating 175 years in 2008, and it has long been a vibrant river city. Dubuque is particularly distinctive because of its steep hills and river bluffs – geographic features that many people don’t expect to find in Iowa. With 62,000 residents, it’s large enough to be diverse and small enough for easy navigation.

There are a number of “must sees” in Dubuque. A good place to start is the Mississippi River Aquarium. Here you’ll enjoy dynamic exhibits, including an up close and personal visit with a few river creatures like catfish and alligators. Plan to spend a few hours. At $10.50 per adult admission, this is one of the best bargains in the Midwest.

From here, you can take a boat ride on the river, or stroll the riverwalk. We did the latter on our first day, up to the renovated Dubuque Star Brewery building, now housing a new winery, Stone Cliff Winery.

When you visit, you’ll taste wines made from grapes grown in Stone Cliff’s vineyard just west of Dubuque. Our favorites were the Cabernet Sauvignon, a silver medal winner at the Indiana State Fair wine competition, and the Riesling, a semi sweet fruity gem of a wine. Open in the Dubuque Star facility since May 2007, Stone Cliff is the newest Dubuque attraction along the riverfront.

Enjoying More Wineries

You’ll find this area’s next winery just 15 miles west of Dubuque. It’s Park Farm Winery and Vineyard, surrounded by Iowa’s beautiful countryside, with rolling hills, trees, and terraced fields.

Park Farm Winery and Vineyard leans heavily on Iowa grown grapes and crops, with grape varieties like LaCrosse, Niagara, Marechol Foch, and Vidal to name a few. It’s a warm and welcoming site, with a stunning new outdoor deck added to the chateau which houses the tasting room and gift shop. The deck itself overlooks a lush valley, and it’s a visit you won’t want to rush.

Another area winery gave us the opportunity to travel north on Iowa Route 52, more or less along the river. Eagles Landing Vineyard and Winery is located in Marquette, Iowa, just across the river from Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin.

Eagles Landing is not only a winery, but a bed and breakfast as well. Located directly on the banks of the Mississippi, this is a bird watchers paradise. The name stems from numerous bald eagles who winter in this area, perching high in the trees or swooping onto the river for a meal.

There’s a separate tasting room in downtown Marquette offering 18 varieties of Eagles Landing wine. Try the Frog Hollow Foch, a dry red finished in oak, with grapes grown in Eagle Landing’s Iowa vineyard. There’s some great fruit wines here too. You can also enjoy the Iowa Pearl, a semi dry white with a nose of apricot and a nice clean, fruity finish.

After exploring downtown Marquette and neighboring Prairie Du Chien (both well worth a stop to stroll around), we headed back to Dubuque. We should mention there is one additional winery on this wine trail – it’s Winneshick Wildberry Winery in Decorah, about 1/2 hour away from Marquette. We heard very good things about their fruit wines, so if you’re in the area, do stop in.

This part of Iowa is a scenic, relaxing place to visit, and Dubuque is perfectly located in the middle of the Iowa Wine Trail, making it an ideal overnight stop. If your plans call for I-80 travel, or if you live in the upper Midwest, be sure to carve out some time for the wineries of eastern Iowa.

Wine Trails USA is the internet’s only site devoted to exploring U.S. wine trails and other wine travel destinations. For the complete travelogue on this and other U.S. wine regions, you’re invited to subscribe to our free twice monthly wine trails ezine.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jim_Hofman

Vacation in Iowa

admin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:20:16 +0000

Winter is a part of life in Iowa and they feature a variety of outdoor and indoor events to suit your travel and sightseeing needs. From winter sports to indoor pursuits there are a wide variety of things to see and do in February. The month kicks off with Bald Eagle Appreciation Day in Prairie du Chien. Bald Eagle Appreciation Day offers outdoor viewing of the bald eagles through scopes as well as bald eagle programs, eagle and raptor exhibits, children’s activities, eagle nest replicas and eagle artwork by local children and artists.

There are also birding experts available to answer any and all questions. Prairie du Chien is located along the banks of the Upper Mississippi River. The area is home to the largest concentration of wintering bald eagles in the lower 48 states. They are believed to host more bald eagles than any other refuge in the states, except Alaska. There are 100 active bald eagle nests with approximately 79 eaglets were produced. This is a huge difference from years past as in 1972 there was only one known eagle nest in the whole Upper Mississippi River Refuge.

The birthplace of John Wayne is located in Winterset, Iowa in Madison County. Stay warm while visiting this cute little home and learning about one of America’s favorite movie stars. John Wayne was a legendary actor and just the mention of his name brings to mind an old cowboy with courage and, of course, True Grit. The home is a modest four-bedroom home that has been restored to its original 1907 appearance. There are hundreds of rare photographs as well as personal letters on display from Lucille Ball, Maureen O’Hara, Kirk Douglas, Bob Hope, Gene Autry, Ronald Reagan and George Burns. You can also see movie artifacts such as the eye patch he wore in True Grit, the hat worn in Rio Lobo and the suitcase used in Stagecoach. Ronald Reagan noted that the birthplace was a tribute to a good friend and great American. The home is open seven days a week except on holidays. Guided tours are also available.

If there’s snow on the ground you can’t miss out on the great skiing and winter activities. There are several ski resorts and ski areas to take advantage of during the winter months in Iowa. Great ski areas can be found in Boone, Crescent, Des Moines, Dubuque and Montezuma.

Rob Vrabel is the co-owner of http://iowa.2havefun.com/, the largest directory of fun things to do in Iowa. Visit this great directory at http://www.2havefun.com

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Vacation Ideas – Village of East Davenport, Iowa, USA

admin — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 13:17:47 +0000

The Village of East Davenport is located on E. River Drive, (HW 67) and Mound Street. The village provides an alternative to malls and big box stores in the form of a beautiful, historic neighborhood with lots of friendly service.

The Village of East Davenport features:

o Shopping

o Galleries

o Parks

o Celebrations

o Pubs & eateries

o A Mighty Mississippi view

Your day at the Village of East Davenport in Iowa can be totally unstructured, just strolling leisurely from place to place and discovering their unique surprises among the gift and gallery shops. Plan enough time to eat and drink there as well.

You can also visit the Village of East Davenport with a particular mission in mind such as finding your wedding needs, clothing, fragrances, stationery, candies, wines, hair styling and makeup, gifts, tea parties, and enjoying relaxing massages. They strive to offer the best to their visitors and guarantee you friendly services.

This community boasts of beautiful views and great attention to preserving an historic neighborhood.

The Village of East Davenport Directory of Businesses includes:

o Antiques

o Artists, crafters & Galleries

o Clothing, Jewelry & Body Care

o Food & Drink Establishments

o Foods and Flowers

o Landmarks

o Offices

o Services

o Health & Beauty Services

o Specialty Shops

Upcoming special events:

Christmas in the Village: November 30 to December 1 and December 7 to December 8, 2007: This event has occurred for over 25 years and features living store windows, live music throughout the village, animals, a special appearance from Santa Claus, and a living Nativity.

While you are in the Iowa areas inquire about Iowa’s trails that include:

o The American Discovery Trail: The nation’s first coast to coast non-motorized recreation trail

o American Trails

o Biking Trails

o Mississippi River Trail

o Raccoon River Valley Trail

o Cedar Valley Nature Trail

o Great Western Trail

o Sugarbottom Mountain Bike Trails

o Wabash Trace

Source: The Village of East Davenport Online

Important Disclaimer: The URL address in the resource box of this article is not associated with any of the attractions mentioned in this article. This article and the web site are offered as a resource for formulating vacation ideas.

This article is FREE to publish with the resource box.

Written by: Connie Limon. For more vacation ideas visit http://smalldogs2.com/VacationIdeas For a variety of FREE reprint articles and special topic articles rarely found elsewhere visit Camelot Articles at http://www.camelotarticles.com

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More About Accommodations in Davenport, Iowa

admin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 13:32:27 +0000

Davenport is the city beside the Mississippi River in Iowa. It is situated about 170 miles east of the Iowa state capitol of Des Moines and 170 miles west of Chicago Illinois. The city is located around 265 miles southeast of Minneapolis, Minnesota and 200 miles north of St. Louis, Missouri.

Davenport has two major universities, namely the Palmer College of Chiropractic and Saint Ambrose University. These schools are the home of wellness technique and chiropractic. Numerous famous annual music festivals occur in this region, including the Mississippi Valley Fair, the Mississippi Valley Blues Festival and the Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival that is dedicated to their native Bix Beiderbecke.

Davenport has a humid continental climate and the summer is known for their temperate hot days. Winter season in the region features high winds and a freezing temperature. Expect snowfall from the months of November to January. The average snowfall in Davenport is 30.7 inches per month. The month of January is, on average, the coldest month while the month of July is the warmest in Davenport. The highest temperature traced in Davenport is about 101 degrees Fahrenheit on the month of July.

Downtown Davenport has numerous points of interest such as Putnam Museum, River Music Experience, Figge Art Museum, the Davenport Skybridge, IMAX Theater and the Davenport Public Library and Modern Woodmen Park that is home of the Centennial Bridge and the Quad City River Bandits baseball team.

Davenport has about 27 parks that have 2,200 acres of land. The major park is Credit Island which has a 420-acre park all in southwest Davenport, situated beside the Mississippi River. The Fejervary Park contains a children’s zoo and a pool, where in, about 20,000 guests come here every year.

The Jungle Park is located beside the Duck Creek Parkway and has softball and baseball fields. This is along with a basketball court and sand volleyball sections. The Vander Veer Botanical Park welcomes about 25,000 guests with their continuous floral shows. The conservatory and rose garden are especially well known as the best wedding sites.

Davenport offers several river-related activities. Celebration Belle has a river cruise from one and a half hours of sightseeing cruise to all day three-meal cruises up to Dubuque, Iowa. Channel Cat Boat offers rides across the river and has three shops in Illinois and two stops in Iowa as well as connected bike paths for each state, having a riverfront.

There are many hotels located in the Davenport Iowa. One of which is the Quality Inn Maingate West. This hotel is one and a half mile away from Disney World’s main gate. Visitors of the Disney World’s could buy their Disney Park tickets in the lobby in order to avoid long ticket lines. The entire family can enjoy a kitchenette suite that features refrigerators and small stoves. Everyone can enjoy standard amenities like coffee makers, colored cable television and in-room electronic safes.

Baymont Inn Davenport Hotel is one and a half mile away from the Wackey’s Water Park. It is also two miles away from the North Park Mall and 15 miles away from the Quadcities Airport. The hotel has laundry facilities and an indoor pool with a spa tub, complementary deluxe breakfast and free newspaper in the hotel lobby. The hotel’s guestrooms provide voice mail, coffee makers, free local calls and satellite television amenities. Baymont Inn Davenport Hotel is situated at #400 Jason Way CT Davenport Iowa.

For more information on Cheap Davenport Hotels [http://www.davenport-hotels.net/davenport-cheap-davenport-hotels.php] and Pet Friendly Hotels in Davenport [http://www.davenport-hotels.net/davenport-pet-friendly-hotels-in-davenport.php], please visit our website.

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Live, Work and Play In Iowa

admin — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 08:25:53 +0000

Iowa has a lot to offer to just about anyone. Whether you are thinking of relocating to Iowa, or if you are just looking to take a vacation somewhere new and interesting, Iowa is worth checking out. Iowa is a state full of opportunities and interest.

Living In Iowa

Iowa is considered one of the best places to raise a family. Their statistics on health, safety and employment are impressive. Iowa is one of the top states for health benefits and safe communities in which to raise a family. Real estate prices are competitive, but not over the top, and most people can afford to purchase a home in Iowa that will suit their needs, whether they want a posh downtown condo in Des Moines, or several acres in the country.

Iowa also has a diverse blend of activities for every member of the family. There are cultural events, historical sites, outdoor activities and much more. Iowa provides many great opportunities for adventure and fun. Iowa is also working to have a multicultural population that will allow residents to learn about and appreciate other cultures.

The weather in Iowa is a pleasant mix of four distinct seasons, and there are things to do in every part of the year.

Working In Iowa

While Iowa has traditionally been known as a farming state that produces both corn and soybeans, Iowa also has a rapidly growing non-farm employment base. There are jobs in many fields, including scientific and manufacturing, to name a few. The unemployment rate for Iowa continues to be just less than 5%, which is better than the national average.

Iowa has excellent schools. They have many higher education choices for students to further their education.

Play In Iowa

If you simply want to visit Iowa, there is a lot for every traveler to do. Indoors or outdoors, tame or exciting, there is something in Iowa for every type of person. Iowa has a rich historical history that you can explore throughout the state. Iowa is bordered by the Mississippi River, and has locales and activities all along the shores. Iowa is also rich in camping, hiking, boating and fishing. An outdoor enthusiast would love all Iowa has to offer.

For the more sophisticated palate, there are cultural activities like theater, opera, and art galleries. There are fine dining establishments and lodging to fit every budget. So if you think Iowa might be the place for you, take the time to find out more.

http://iowahq.com Facts about Iowa from tourism to buying and selling real estate.

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Wine Tours – Iowa’s Thriving Wine Country

admin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:56:53 +0000

Over the next 15 months, we made several long car trips to and from western Iowa to Chicago. I remember always wanting to see the Mississippi River from the big window of our station wagon.

Iowa Wine

Since Interstate 80 cuts directly through central Iowa, exploring any of Iowa’s wine trails is an ideal destination or scenic detour for anyone traveling cross country.

Of Presidents And Wine

Let’s start our exploration of the Eastern Iowa Wine Trail in the small town of West Branch, adjacent to I-80 and about 45 minutes west of the Quad Cities and the Mississippi River.

Introducing Dubuque

From Tabor Home, it’s a short 40 mile drive north on Iowa 51 to our overnight destination, historic Dubuque, nestled along the Mississippi River at the confluence of Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin.

Dubuque: The Particulars

Enjoying More Wineries

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Iowa Tourism

admin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:53:20 +0000

Iowa is not always the first place people think of when they are deciding where to spend their tourist dollars. But the truth is, Iowa has a lot to offer tourists, and Iowa tourism is on the rise. Perhaps it has to do with the fact that Iowa has tourist activities for each season, and there is always something to do no matter what time of year you are investigating Iowa tourism options.

Facts About Iowa

The many sites available for Iowa tourism have lots to offer. These tourism sites are also happy to give some facts about Iowa for tourists to note. For instance, the capitol of Iowa is Des Moines, which is located in the middle of the state and has a population of over 198,000. The state flower is the wild rose, the state tree is an oak, and chances are pretty good that in the spring and summer you may catch a glimpse of the state bird, the eastern goldfinch. Iowa is named for the Ioway Indians that used to live in that region.

What Can You Do In Iowa?

The question should not be what can you do, but what can’t you do. Iowa tourism is the quintessential travel destination in that it has something for every one. If you like to gamble, you can do it in Iowa. Iowa has some of the best cultural opportunities for tourists. Museums, art galleries, and musical and theater productions are common events in the bigger cities.

If you prefer the great outdoors, Iowa tourism is for you. You can hike, camp, fish, boat and golf on one of the state’s many excellent golf courses. There are plenty of state parks to explore to your heart’s content.

Iowa also offers tourists a rich heritage of history. There are historic sites to visit and learn about in every corner of state, especially along the mighty Mississippi.

And if you are just in the market for a good time, check out Adventureland, one of the best amusement parks around. Thrills and excitement are yours for the taking.

What Else Does Iowa Have To Offer?

Iowa has a tourist bureau that is ready and willing to help you plan your business or personal trip to their state. They can help you with family travel, pet-friendly travel, cheap and discount travel options and lots of information for the business traveler, too. They can give you information on everything from lodging to dining to area airports.

So if you have never thought of Iowa as a great travel destination, think again. Check out Iowa, and you will be pleasantly surprised. It’s no wonder that Iowa tourism continues to grow.

http://iowahq.com Facts about Iowa from tourism to buying and selling real estate.

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Why You Should Visit Iowa

admin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:49:28 +0000

Lots of people think Iowa is just a lot of corn fields. Granted, we have a lot of corn here, but we also have many other beautiful things.

Iowa is beautiful in the fall, especially along the Mississippi River. Take a trip on the Great River Road, which runs along the Mississippi River. You will have a wonderful view of the bluffs, the fall foliage, and the Mississippi River. If you do go on this trip, be sure to stop in Dubuque, Iowa, and visit the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium. This museum is wonderful, and if you have children, they will enjoy it. There are a lot of hands-on things for children to do.

While you are on your trip, you can stay at one of the many bed and breakfasts that are available in that area. You will have a wonderful experience, and you will be served an incredible breakfast, usually including eggs, waffles or pancakes, toast, bacon or sausage and many other choices. You will get to eat your breakfast with other people who have stayed there, and this is a great way to get acquainted and see where everyone is from.

I grew up on a farm in northeast Iowa, so I have lived here all of my life. Our farm included 200 acres. We raised pigs, guernsey cows, and chickens. In addition, we had a lot of cats and a dog. We had a big woods on our land, so the deer and other animals would occasionally come close to the barn. Sometimes the deer would drink water with our cows early in the morning. I would not have traded that time in my life for anything. I believe I learned a lot of values from living on the farm.

In addition to rural living, Iowa has three state universities. We have the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Iowa State University in Ames, and the University of Iowa in Iowa City. Our state has a lot of basketball and football fans, and we are very proud of our athletic teams. In addition, all of our state universities are nationally-known.

We are a very friendly state, and the crime rate is low compared to many places in the nation. Our schools are always ranked high in the national rankings. Iowa is a great place to raise a family.

The winters here are cold, and we get quite a lot of snow sometimes. It gets below zero sometimes in December, January, and February. The summers are sometimes hot with temperatures in the 90’s, but this is usually just in July and August. Our spring and fall seasons are very comfortable with temperatures in the 60’s and 70’s.

I hope you will visit us sometime.

C. Macon
july081996@yahoo.com
http://cmacon.blogspot.com/

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Romantic Destinations in Iowa

admin — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 21:47:09 +0000

When you first think of romance, Iowa might not come to mind. In truth, romantic destinations in Iowa are excellent and show you a beautiful hidden side of this underappreciated state.

The Hawkeye State, Iowa, holds much more beauty than a lot of travelers give it credit for. There are ten different travel areas for tourists to explore when they come to this state, from the Northwest area (where you can follow the path of historic explorers Louis and Clark) to the Southeast area that boasts of containing the world’s “crookedest” street. Lovers will also find much to do here, such as solitary hiking and just holing up in a room and enjoying each other’s company – romantic destinations in Iowa are enjoyable for everyone!

Pines on the Prairie Bed and Breakfast is located in Wilton, Iowa, just 30 or so minutes from Davenport and Iowa City, Iowa. This bed and breakfast offers all of the hospitality of a Midwest inn, with the Mississippi River just a small ways outside your door! Located in eastern Iowa, the Pines on the Prairie Bed and Breakfast is convenient to both the Wildcat Den and Palisades Kepler State Parks, which makes it an ideal spot to stay for your outdoor themed trip. This 1910 home, decorated in the “Arts and Crafts” style, is great for seclusion – you are never forced to spend time around other guests unless you want to.

This b & b has just two rooms, which means you will get a level of service that you might not find in larger inns or hotels. The Prairie Room is perfect for couples, with a comfortable queen size bed and its own shower. The Pine Loft is larger (it can accommodate up to six people), but it also includes a claw foot tub as well as other amenities that complete this spacious room. Lovely green plants and a library’s worth of books make this nook of a room one of the most perfect places for romantic destinations in Iowa.

Potter’s Mill bed and breakfast is lodged in Iowa’s oldest grist mill (from 1843). This beautiful inn and restaurant is also a great place to have your next romantic retreat. Located in Bellvue, Iowa, Potter’s Mill offers guests five rooms to choose from, with different themes and motifs in each. Gourmet breakfasts are also included. The atmosphere in this inn is like no other, with the mill theme including exposed beams and other subtle hints to the building’s original purpose. The Potter’s Mill’s restaurant is also open for lunch and dinner.

Spending some quality time with the one you love in picturesque Iowa can be just the thing for any special occasion. Whether you are celebrating a birthday or an anniversary, you can be sure romantic destinations in Iowa will be just the thing.

Richard Rspad is with Resort Spa Destinations – reviews and articles on romantic getaways.

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