What to See in Iowa

[jackellis]

We're spending a few days in Iowa city for a family wedding - the child of my wife's only first cousin. Yesterday we wandered around one of the Amana colonies just to the west of Iowa city. Saw an excellent one hour play that told some of the stories of the history from around 1715 through 1932. Walked around and through some of the remaining structures.

And then we went to the wood furniture factory. It's all done with relatively modern power tools. Many kinds and styles of furniture, all of oak, cherry, walnut and/or maple. Some really beautiful pieces, including a trestle style desk made of walnut my wife urged me to buy that I may attempt to copy instead. None of the pieces are inexpensive, but considering the fact that every piece is solid wood (no veneer, no engineered materials) and carefully made, I'd say the prices are fair.

On July 4th, we're supposed to start the journey home (in our airplane). Hopefully all of the moisture being sent north by Alex will not cause as much horrible weather as is being forecast, or I could be stuck here for a couple of days.

"When time's no care, go by air."

[gsmittle]

In the early 80's I worked for the Old Creamery Theatre Company, now located in the Amanas. (At the time, the company was in Garrison, exactly between Cedar Rapids and Cedar Falls.) If you have the time and inclination, they might be worth checking out.

Back in the day, their productions were pretty good and very popular. I did a little of everything, from design to stage managing to acting to house managing. My last year was '83, and we didn't part on the best of terms. It's amazing what increasing one's hours and cutting one's pay does to one's attitude.

g.