After cleaning the coach, we cleaned up and headed out... Joan wanted to see the other Amanas, I wanted to see a Maid-Rite.
Other Amanas? Thanks for asking. There are seven communities in the Amana Colonies: Amana (well, sure), East Amana (which is, incidently, east of Amana), High Amana (which is not the Amana where the stoners live), Middle Amana, South Amana (I didn't notice that they talk with a drawl), West Amana (where the gunslingers live), and Homestead (I guess they were out of Amanas).
Almost half the residents of these towns are descendants of the original German colonists. We did drive by the large Whirlpool manufacturing plant. And stopped at a few of the other shops along the way. The Broom and Basket Shop...
Including a wood shop where they have the "largest solid walnut rocker in Iowa" on display...
Yes, as you can see, I am off my rocker.
Driving through the communities, we noticed that most of the homes are very plain...
We stopped in a quilt and gift shop...
No photos inside - there was a sign saying "No cameras or video cameras." But, an endless inventory of antique quilts, art pieces, upscale clothing, etc, etc. An interesting stop, that seemed to go on and on, from one room to another - it just didn't look that big from the outside.
A locomotive restoration plant...
Part of the Iowa Interstate Railroad Company. It was a large facility.
Before completing our Amana(s) Tour, we made a short jaunt back to the Interstate for the nearest Maid-Rite. I wasn't sure what to expect...
It had a 50s diner feel to it, and the Maid-Rite sandwiches are similar to the Tastee Sandwiches we know from Sioux City. Kinda. There were all kinds of options for the loose-meat sandwiches: cheese, bleu cheese, bacon, chili, etc. Joan had a standard Maid-Rite, I had the bleu cheese. Yes, they were good... what we would both call a typical loose-meat... but, not as good as a Tastee Sandwich. It may be the crack that Tastee uses as one of their "secret" ingredients. Yes, that is a joke... it is probably heroin.
Back through Amana (called "Main Amana" by some, I'm told) which has as many shops as all the other Amanas combined, before coming back to the coach.
I was concerned about a big gray cloud with rainshafts that seemed to be heading for our coach. The cloud didn't make it to us, but the grounds crew put a sprinkler two sites over from us with the gusty wind blowing it our direction. I don't have the heart to look at that side of the coach. Yet.
We have enjoyed our time here. Looking forward to heading east in the morning. We have another stop in mind; they don't take reservations, so we'll see if there's room for us for a night or two.
2 comments:
Another Great Blog Capt'n-- Eat Cheese.. Maybe have some Cannabis too..
Not sure they put that in the sandwich... wouldn't it be kinda chewy?
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