SAGiles-writing about life!

IOWA!  A state I have seldom thought about, and have never until 2 weeks ago visited.  My oldest son however worked there for over a year after graduating from A & M.  It was his first "out of the office" assignment for the consulting company that had hired him. 

We all had to get out the Rand McNalley to find   PELLA, Iowa.  I had certainly never heard of this town, and neither had my son.  But he was going there to work in the IT department to redo the internet marketing for a company we all recognize--Pella--as in the window and door company. 

It was only natural then that on the road trip my husband and I took that brought us home from Minnesota through Iowa that we would spend some time in a state we new very little about.  Oh, I knew about the Bridges of Madison County, both from the book and the movie, and this held no interest for my husband.  I knew about Mason City and its connection to Rock 'N Roll with the plane of Buddy Holly, Richie Valenz--going down in a corn field outside of Mason City, and yes!  there is a museum there for Buddy Holly--but we didn't get to see that either.  We had interesting conversations with a group of local farmers in a sandwich shop in Mason City and ate a "famous" maid rite sandwich--this is unusual to say the least! 

But, the purpose according to my husband who was doing most of the driving, was to go to Pella to see this small town that truly held my son in awe--How was that possible?????  You must know--Pella centers its existence around the HUGE Pella window factory--and believe me from what we saw, every home in the town has Pella windows--also, there is a Dutch influence here, and they hold a tulip festival every year--missed it too.  The have a large windmill in the downtown--I have a picture of it somewhere--and a klockenspeil which chimes and figures revolve during certain times of the day.  But, the one place we had to go was "the bakery", our son would bring us the most wonderful baked goods from this bakery every week or so when he came back to Plano from his consulting job.  No Krispy Creme here--but what there is is Jaarsma Bakery.  Old world treats!!!! This is a business that has been in existence for over 100 years.  OH my!!! did we go crazy buying cinnamon rolls, kringles, cheese Danish--etc!!  Three huge bags full of food--and while I figured we had broken the bank--it was only $28.00. 

Could we use a credit card??? NO, as we had learned the night before at dinner--all the merchants in the downtown area--and it is a thriving downtown--take only that thing called "cash".  And there are few A T M's in the town.  So plan ahead if you go there, and enjoy this little throw back to Holland.  This maybe a factory town, but the atmosphere is heart-warming, as are the very friendly people.  Arrive hungry as there are so many great places to eat--the bakery is only one, and there are several bakeries in the downtown, as well as a smoked bologna shop--and restaurants with wonderful food.  All very reasonable priced.  We hope to hit the tulip festival next year--oh!  We are planning a return trip!

For all of you from Iowa--I now know a bit more about your lovely state--and I find it charming!