We arrived in Kalona, IA on Tuesday the 23rd of May. It was a very charming drive once we entered HWY 1 (yes indeed - just a tad east of the other one 😉). Rolling green hills with lush farmland on both sides. Now Ron and I were a tad surprised when we found the road had very wide sides to it that showed some frequent horse poop. We saw our answer when we saw our first Horse and cart. We had no idea that we be in the middle of the largest Amish/Mennonite settlement west of the Mississippi. We entered an area that seemed to have slowed down from all the business we encountered every day. Time even seemed to slow down for us…
But first thing first. We pulled into the Kalona City Park hoping we could find an open spot since the Memorial Weekend loomed largely in from of us. After all the last campground we left at Grundy County Lake was packed. Well, we did see lots of open spaces. However I wasn’t able to see a space that could fit our size. I found this campground through RV Life/Trip Wizard and as always I had my filters in place that told I wanted to see only campgrounds that are Big Rig Friendly, are pet friendly and offer 50 amp. I even checked my go to Google Earth to make sure it looks like we can fit.
Oh my we were in for a challenge! The access to each row was tight and narrow. The back in sites were much too short but we saw something that looked like pull thru’s. Of course, on closer inspection they were not true pull throughs as they had a little yellow marker in the middle dividing the space… oops and that made it of course too short for us.
Luckily, we had a fairly empty park in front of us, so with lots of maneuvering and backing up by Ron he finally got us into a site, two sites to be exact. We decided then we would just use both and hence pay for both. We got ready to set up when Ron motioned to me to stop. We were facing a power post with only 30 amps! A no go for us. So if we went on a walk to find the 50 amp. Turns out the sites facing large power-poles had the 50 amp. On to moving our 65 feet again, with Ron squeezing past some very nice people that were camping in a tent.
I did provide them with Ice Cream after we were finally parked and set up.
When we did finally get into spot 8 and 9 we were beat! It was hot plus flies and bugs were everywhere. We were exhausted, tired and hangry by then so not a pretty sight to watch and hence I was so thrilled the park was NOT busy. Two days after we arrived it was almost filled to capacity. Timing is everything in the way we travel 😂
So our supposed $20 a night turned into a $40 a night for electric and water. Dump station is located on the way out.
We were beat that first day but still I was able to get a little bike ride into town. Absolutely charming! Cute shops from Ice Cream Parlor, CoffeeHouse, Chocolatier, even a brewery.
Day two I went to the Historical Village Museum. Which was amazing! You step into history and tour a village of the Rock Island Railroad Depot, houses, a church, school house, grandfather house, post office etc. The heart of it is the Amish/Mennonite Museum where you are treated to a personalized tour. This is where I met Bonnie, a most beautiful soul that took me back in time but also showed me about life now. She is a gift to humanity. As a retired teacher she had a way of bringing this part of history alive for me.
Now I started with this museum thinking I be through in one hour. Oh was I wrong! Because I also met Heather at the front of the museum exhibits and we clicked from the get go. She is the kind of souls that makes you feel ‘at home’. We were not even entering small talk, we dove into deep conversations right from the get go. Well in the front building of the museum village you can see so many treasures from the Reif gem and mineral collection as well as petrified wood, two quilting rooms as well as antique spool cabinets selection. Honestly I can list all one can see. A fun and unique gift shop as well. They even offered a wine selection for sale. I tell you this trip kept surprising me on every turn I took.
Now Heather, just like Bonnie was true sunshine. Friendly, warm, funny and highly educational again. I left the museum 3 hours later having exchanged contact information with three people by then. Heather, Bonnie and Janice, a fellow traveler and visitor to the museum from Oklahoma City who has a travel van she shares with her pup. She was fun and gave me a tour of her beautiful van.
Other highlights here in Kalona were the Creamery that sells yummy dairy products, all organic. Yummy Cheese Curds, Kefir and so much more. Same with the Golden Delight Bakery with their daily fresh baked breads and pastries. Just stepping into the bakery and the smell of yeast and sourdough is heaven. Oh and since it is all Amish or Mennonite owned you pay only via cash or check. That took some getting used to I admit.
The campground is located in the city park so we saw daily baseball and softball games. One can play tennis or just enjoy the park and the large playground that is available for kids. One day a food cart showed up, and today an ice-cream truck came through. There also is an animal exchange so on a couple of days we saw and heard some cows and goats but it was not bothersome. It is located right in town so one can walk or bike everywhere. And yes there is a beautiful pool as well but sadly it won’t open until June 2.
And last but NOT least we met a most wonderful couple, Candace and Al and their son at the campground! They are local so they get to enjoy this campground frequently. Both were so very welcoming and kind and even invited us over for a night around the fire. Oh and Al even helped Ron out with the Aqua Hot. Again, for someone like me who can be very reserved in opening up (i know hard to believe from all the shenanigans i have been up to) it was so easy and natural talking to them as if we had known them for years. I really wonder what it is about people here in Kalona. Beautiful souls, and I am counting on seeing them on the road and meeting up with us!
I think this trip has us moving on with the wish of returning. We had 6 days of relaxing here but still I learned so much and there is even more to explore. Did you all know there are the Amana Colonies, 7 villages of German heritage just 45 min away? Iowa is a Gem ♥️
Afterthought. If you come to Kalona you should go to Yottys Ice Cream and get a small vanilla soft serve. You take this down 1/2 block and enter the coffee house. Here you hand it over and tell them you want an espresso float the way they make it for Heather. Two expressos and you have the perfect summer treat! You can thank Heather later at the need to come back 😉
So a lot of love from us towards the State of Iowa! how can I not love a State that embraces Butter???? They speak my food language in so many ways that it makes sense I felt at home!
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