This time Southern Iowa

We took a little overnight this week. I had read about a great store in Iowa and told Ron about it. He loves to play tour director. I give him an idea and he runs with it.  This time it was to the Villages of Van Buren in Southern Iowa.   First stop was Kalona.  They have completed the "Quilt Block Walking Tour", which consists of quilt blocks made of bricks in the sidewalks around town.  They have created 42 blocks. The brochure gives the information about the block and who has sponsored it.  Very neat!!

Did made a stop at the local quilt shop, and look they have a mini barn quilt.

On the way south, out of town the Beachy Appliance Barn has a block called Lattice Square on the side of their building.

This Pinwheel Square is on the Colliver Family Barn, south of town.

This is Dog's Tooth, same block, in two colorways. 

Double Aster on the way out of Washington.

In Cantril is the Dutchman's Store.  It looks like they grew and grew. As a store became vacant next door they expanded.  It is now pretty much the whole city block.

It has a bit of everything.  Naturally, I checked out the fabric aisles.  Check out the rainbow of colors.

Looking into the grocery aisles.  Ron had fun looking at all the products they carry.  This store has footware, books, toys, bulk and canned food, a bakery, craft supplies and a bit of every thing else.   Cantril is described as "a town where dreams become completed projects."

We spent the night at the Riverview Motel in Keosauqua.  It is an extension of the Hotel Manning which sits on the Des Moines River.  This was our view from out motel porch.

The next morning we traveled on to Bentonsport.  This is an Iron Truss Bridge built in 1882 for horse and buggy use. It is the oldest and o=longest original bridge across the Des Moines river.  Now it is just a foot bridge.

In Burlington, Iowa we went down "Snake Alley"  It is this one way road down the side of a hill.  There are houses along the "road".  Amazing road work.

We saw barn quilts along the way that are not part of any trail.

Ron was kind to stop and let me get pictures.  We are both fascinated with them.  (It is the closest I can get him to quilting.)

Here is the suspension bridge back to Illinois and home.  We try not to use the expressways.  Taking the back roads is so much more fun and interesting.  You never know what you will come upon.

I got a little bit of hand sewing done on my bow ties.  Now to work on getting that quilt together.

Back to sewing. Seems my son has a project for me.  A Halloween costume needs some alterations.
Happy sewing.  Have a great weekend.

Mary