Megan Bannister, Author at Olio in Iowa

December 31, 2018

Olio in Iowa’s Best of 2018

2018 held some pretty big adventures! Read the most popular posts from Olio in Iowa's last year.

Maybe it’s the fact that my birthday also falls around the New Year, but I always enjoy taking time to reflect and look back on all I’ve accomplished in the previous 12 months. While I didn’t travel as much in 2018 as I did other years, I still had some memorable adventures.

I spent a week in Las Vegas, explored new corners of Iowa, and took a fantastic road trip around Kansas. Our year also included some less exciting adventures like having home mold remediation done (twice) and living in a hotel for weeks. But those are stories for another time.

In 2018, all of you really enjoyed posts about food (message received), and loved content that came with a dash of the unexpected. As always, I’m so thankful for your choice to support my adventures and the places I visit by continuing to read. So, without further ado, I hope you enjoy revisiting Olio in Iowa’s best of 2018.

December 20, 2018

Discover Adventure Off the Interstate in Two Lane Gems, Volume 2

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission (thank you!) when you shop at no added cost to you.

Bison near campsite in Badlands National Park

Photo Courtesy of Theresa Goodrich, Two Lane Gems

There’s nothing better than a good road trip. In fact, there are few things I love more than a loose itinerary and the possibility of the open road.

I first met Theresa Goodrich of The Local Tourist almost two years ago at a travel conference. Essentially as soon as we met, I knew that she was a kindred spirit. We quickly bonded over craft beer and a mutual love for roadside attractions. So when she embarked on two cross-country road trips in as many years with the end goal of writing books about her adventures, I knew I couldn’t wait to read them.

Two Lane Gems, Vol. 1: Turkeys Are Jerks and Other Observations from an American Road Trip came out late last year and chronicles Theresa’s adventures from Chicago to San Diego and back again with her husband, Jim. Now her second book, Two Lane Gems, Vol. 2: Bison Are Giant and Other Observations from an American Road Trip is being released and I was lucky enough to snag an early digital copy.Continue Reading…

December 17, 2018

12 Terrific Places to Eat in Wichita, Kansas

Disclosure: Visit Wichita hosted my trip to Wichita, Kansas, and paid for my meals at some of the places listed below. However, all opinions are my own.

Some cities are known as foodie cities. But you might not expect to find small batch coffee roasters, craft breweries, and world-class restaurants in the middle of Kansas. Then again, if you’re a regular reader of this blog, you’ve probably realized that I love a good hidden gem. So it should come as no surprise to hear that there are tons of incredible place to eat in Wichita, Kansas.

Over the course of my travels, I’ve visited some truly delicious places. But Wichita has an entirely different culinary vibe. From an urban chop shop to a bakery offering late night desserts and hand pies, everywhere I went people were immensely friendly and proud to share the stories of their community. In my experience, that’s Wichita—passionate, hardworking, and creative.

In my experience, those traits absolutely translate to the city’s culinary scene, leaving a bevy of options for every type of traveler to enjoy. The next time you’re in town, grab a bite at one (or more) of these 12 terrific places to eat in Wichita, Kansas.

Plus, I’ve created a free digital download so you can keep track of all of your favorite Wichita eats!Continue Reading…

November 21, 2018

10 Things to Do in Abilene, Kansas

Disclosure: Visit Abilene, Kansas and Travel Kansas hosted my visit to Abilene. However, all opinions are my own.

When I’m planning to visit a new place, I love to leave a bit of my trip up to chance. Sure, I will always be an over zealous planner. But I also like to build some time into my schedule to explore, follow through on recommendations from locals, and be surprised by my surroundings. Had I not planned some of that time into a recent road trip, I would have never discovered that there are so many amazing things to do in Abilene, Kansas.

If you’re looking for lots of local history and heaps of small town charm, you won’t want to miss this Kansas community. The next time you’re in the area, check out one (or five) of these 10 things to do in Abilene, Kansas.Continue Reading…

November 19, 2018

5 Ways to Experience the History of Abilene, Kansas

Disclosure: Visit Abilene, Kansas and Travel Kansas hosted my visit to Abilene. However, all opinions are my own.

For a town of less than 7,000 people, Abilene, Kansas has some seriously big local history. From a presidential library and museum to more than 40 sites on the National Register of Historic Places, there’s a historic site for every sort of traveler in this Kansas community.

Established in 1857, Abilene became an early stagecoach stop on the Kansas frontier. A decade later, the Union Pacific Railroad barreled across the Kansas plains passing through Abilene. Around the same time, large stockyards were established north and east of the city. Both of these things perfectly positioned Abilene to be the first “cow town” of the west. Abilene’s growth was accelerated even further when the Chisholm Trail ended in town from 1867 to 1871. Along with hundreds of thousands of cattle, this brought all sorts of travelers to Abilene and made the Kansas community one of the wildest towns in the west.

Today Abilene is a little less wild. But no less worth visiting. This Kansas community is full of interesting stories, passionate locals, and destinations worth the trip. The next time you’re in the area, take some time to discover five unique ways to experience the history of Abilene, Kansas.Continue Reading…

November 16, 2018

2018 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Lover of All Things Local

Joy to the world! This week I’ll be sharing Olio in Iowa’s 2018 Holiday Gift Guide for every type of traveler on your holiday list. From the stylish jetsetter to the intrepid roadtripper, I’ve compiled some of my favorite items so you can give a little bit of adventure to everyone on your list this holiday season.

One of the things I’ve come to love most about living in Iowa, and Des Moines specifically, is the pride that people here have for their city and state. Iowans will never miss an opportunity to tell you why they love living here. On a regular basis, I notice that people from Des Moines seem incapable of bragging on their city more than once and awhile.

In fact, it’s become one of my favorite things about central Iowa. It’s one of the reasons I jumped at the chance to be a part of Brand Launch’s Hummingbird Project, where I’ve really enjoyed lifting up local businesses with other like-minded Iowans. It’s something that continues to delight and encourage me the more Iowans I meet.

So in the spirit of celebrating some of my favorite central Iowa small business owners, I’ve compiled a handful of ways you can give a little piece of Iowa to everyone on your holiday list. These gifts for the lover of all things local are sure to be hits with the Iowans in your life.

November 15, 2018

2018 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Midwesterner

Joy to the world! This week I’ll be sharing Olio in Iowa’s 2018 Holiday Gift Guide for every type of traveler on your holiday list. From the lover of all things local to the intrepid roadtripper, I’ve compiled some of my favorite items so you can give a little bit of adventure to everyone on your list this holiday season.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission (thank you!) when you shop at no added cost to you.

For the Midwesterner on your holiday list, there’s no better gift than something that reminds them of home. One of the things I love most about calling the Midwest home is the sense of community that exists across the region. Not only does being from the Midwest make you resilient (I mean, have you visited during winter?), but I’ve found it also makes you compassionate for your community. There’s something about the Midwest that bonds people together.

From thoughtful gestures to apparel to help share their Midwest pride, there are lots of ways to show you care. These gifts for the Midwesterner in your life will help them remember their roots, no matter how far they roam.Continue Reading…

November 14, 2018

2018 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Outdoor Adventurer

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission (thank you!) when you shop at no added cost to you.

For the outdoor adventurer on your holiday list who is always training for their next big hike or taking up a new extreme sport, no journey is too perilous. While I’m more of a light outdoor enthusiast, I can appreciate the adventurous spirit that these sorts of travelers possess. These gifts for the outdoor adventurer in your life will help make their next expedition a little bit more enjoyable, whether they’re hiking the backwoods or camping in their backyard.

November 13, 2018

2018 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Roadtripper

Joy to the world! This week I’ll be sharing Olio in Iowa’s 2018 Holiday Gift Guide for every type of traveler on your holiday list. From the stylish jetsetter to the outdoor enthusiast, I’ve compiled some of my favorite items so you can give a little bit of adventure to everyone on your list this holiday season.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission (thank you!) when you shop at no added cost to you.

There’s a special place in my heart for the roadtripper on your holiday list. I’m happiest when we’re charting course for our next destination with a full tank of gas and a playlist of podcasts. I feel a certain kinship to travelers who choose the road less taken and are always up for an unplanned stop. These gifts for the roadtripper in your life will help make their next journey a little bit more enjoyable, whether they’re trekking cross country or exploring their own backyard.Continue Reading…

November 12, 2018

2018 Holiday Gift Guide: For the Jetsetter

Joy to the world! This week I’ll be sharing Olio in Iowa’s 2018 Holiday Gift Guide for every type of traveler on your holiday list. From the lover of all things local to the outdoor enthusiast, I’ve compiled some of my favorite items so you can give a little bit of adventure to everyone on your list this holiday season.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission (thank you!) when you shop at no added cost to you.

For your favorite jetsetter, there’s no such thing as too many accessories. These friends are always the ones who have the newest restaurant recommendations, the cutest outfits, and the coolest tech toys. While I’m more comfortable on the open road, you can usually find them buzzing through the TSA Pre✓ line. These gifts for the jetsetter in your life will help make their next trip a memorable one, whether they’re traipsing the globe or exploring closer to home.Continue Reading…