Whirlwind 2 days

On Saturday night my husband surprised me, by telling me, we were taking an overnight trip to Davenport, Iowa to see the white pelicans that fly north along the Mississippi River. We had a wonderful vantage point on the river. I could not believe the pictures I was getting. These birds are so fascinating. They are beautiful.

Then we checked out a place I had read about, Miss Effie's, in Donahue, Iowa. It was in the country and is a place I would love to go back too. She doesn't officially open until June. In season she has flowers you can pick for purchase. She has a variety of chickens and kitties. She has the only barn quilts in the area. This little kitty launched herself at my husband and while I was standing by him, she launched herself to my shoulder. What a surprise!!

This was the first barn quilt we saw on our way into Kalona, Iowa. On Sunday night Ron said he had nothing planned for Monday, and after we looked at a bunch of brochures, we settled on Kalona. I have wanted to go there because I knew there was quilt barns, and quilt shops. This barn quilt is using Amish coloration. The Washington County, of which Kalona is part of, has 4 different quilt trails. Each trail has blocks associated to the theme. Example. Amish, Liberty, Agricultural, and Nature, plus there are a bunch of self-sponsored blocks. The whole county has over 100 blocks.

The town of Kalona has been renovating and updating themselves. One of the things they have added are these wonderful signs. Each sign is another quilt block. Then the town took it a step further, literally, they are putting the quilt blocks in the sidewalk. I think I remember hearing there are 40 blocks that are in the sidewalks. There is going to be a brochure printed that you can take a walking tour that will tell you about the block. We were a week early. The brochures were not ready yet. Bummer. In some of the stores, you can buy magnets, coasters, thimbles, and postcards of the quilt blocks.I have been wanting a quilt block for my house. I asked at the chamber office if anyone was making smaller versions of the barn quilts. I was in luck! The chamber of commerce office had just received 12 inch squares of the 40 blocks that are being displayed around town. I bought 2 basket blocks. One is the Flower Basket which is in the picture above. I am in heaven and can't wait until I can grace our home with them. (The weather has to get better.)

We love to take the backroads in our travels. You never know what you will see. We did get to see about 10 more barn quilts. I visited the Kalona Historical Societies Quilt and Textile Museum. It had a wonderful display of antique star quilts, and a beautiful display of Amish quilts. I did visit the 2 quilt shops in town. Kalona, is definately a place I would like to go back to some time.

On our way out of town I saw something, and made Ron turn around and go back to a little barn I had seen. It was not a quilt though. There was a mom fox, and 6 babies! Mom let me take her picture, and then she moved away. The pups, I think, knew I was taking their picture. They seemed to be posing for me. The countryside was so pretty, trees are turning green, a lot of flowering trees are starting to bloom. There were daffodils, tulips and hyacinths. Spring is my time of the year. I love this time, the rebirth of nature.

Ron loves to plan these get aways. He finds great places to eat, places to visit, and sights to see. This time the start of all this was because of a hotel room for $19.00, if you were over 50 and could do this on a Sunday night. It is so much fun being retired!!!!

If you read all this, thank you for taking the time. I like to share my adventures.

Piecefully quilting,