Iowa

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Climbing the Cordova Park Observation Tower

A few weeks ago, after heading south in search of pie, a rainy afternoon miraculously turned into a sunny one just as we found ourselves nearing Lake Red Rock. Wanting to get out of the car to enjoy the now significantly sunnier day, we happened upon the Cordova Park Observation Tower…

Image of Fenelon Place Elevator in Dubuque from the bottom of the railcar track

Ride the Historic Fenelon Place Elevator in Dubuque, IA

Dubuque has always been a place I’ve wanted to explore. Nestled on the banks of the Mississippi River, the northwest Iowa town is just a stones throw from the Illinois and Wisconsin borders. After some amateur spelunking at Crystal Lake Cave, we spent the better part of Saturday morning exploring Dubuque, including taking a ride on the Fenelon Place Elevator…

All Rights Reserved Megan Bannister

Exploring Crystal Lake Cave in Dubuque, Iowa

As a general rule, I wouldn’t say I’m the type of person who typically enjoys small, dark spaces, but a few weeks ago when we were in the area, a friend and I decided to make a trip to Crystal Lake Cave in Dubuque, Iowa…

All Rights Reserved Megan Bannister

Field of Dreams 25th Anniversary

A few weeks back, I took a Friday off and hopped in the car with a friend, heading east. Our destination for the weekend? Dyersville, Iowa—home of the Field of Dreams…

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Eats: Pitchfork Pie Stand

If you’re a long-time blog reader you know that this wasn’t the first time I’ve visited the American Gothic House in search of pie. One Sunday last summer we set out in pursuit of the Pitchfork Pie Stand, only to learn that Beth had sold out the day before and wouldn’t be baking more. We were crushed, to say the least, but settled for milkshakes at the Rexall South Side Drug soda fountain in neighboring Ottumwa. But even over the course of a long winter we never forgot how much we wanted that pie…

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Experiencing the Freedom Rock near Menlo, Iowa

Lately I’ve gotten way behind on blogging some of my roadside adventures, but in honor of Memorial Day, it seemed fitting to share this one.

In my travels west of Des Moines, I’ve often breezed by I-80 exit 86 without even knowing about the Freedom Rock…

White farmhouse with red trim and sign that says Villisca Ax Murder House in Villisca, Iowa

Discover the Haunting Tale of the Villisca Ax Murder House

When you tell your friends and co-workers that your weekend plans involve visiting a “murder house” in southwest Iowa, expect to receive some strange looks. Now that winter is finally over (or I least I hope it is) I’m back to weekend roadtripping and decided to kick off the season with a trip to the Villisca Ax Murder House…

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Exploring Iowa: Winterset

A few weekends ago, during some sort of wonderful fluke, we had a rare 60 degree, early November Saturday in central Iowa. So Kristen and I took advantage of the sunshine and headed to Winterset, a tiny town just west and south of Des Moines, home to a surprising amount of roadside attractions and a whole lot of charm…

All Rights Reserved Megan Bannister

Eats: Frostee’s

After touring John Wayne’s birthplace and exploring Clark Tower, our stomachs were growling so we decided to celebrate the unseasonably warm November weather with an ice cream cone at Frostee’s…

All Rights Reserved Megan Bannister

Exploring Iowa: Clark Tower

As we studied our handy Madison County map—complete with all the standing Bridges of Madison County and John Wayne’s birthplace—we happened to spot Clark Tower, a three-story limestone structure hidden in Winterset City Park…