Kalona, Iowa

On day 4 we decided to head over to Kalona. Another Amish colony about 2 hours away. Its one we always go to cause they have the best market!

First stop....Donutland

This place is right by our hotel and we went to it the last time we were there.

We got a bunch of flavors to split. 

But really...How can you resist a donut hole.

After our drive the first stop was to the cheese factory. The cheese making facilities are closed now but you can still buy stuff inside. They have the best cheese curds. 

Up next was our favorite market. 

A few buggy's outside. That white building behind them used to be the old market. But just opened up a much bigger one right next door. 

Inside. Everything is super cheap and mostly homemade. 

An Amish lady stocking. 

Hard candies

Dried fruit's

Sprinkles

Soup mixes

Gas lite to.

We were also told to head our and about a 3 min drive was where they'd get their textiles and a authentic bakery. My mom fell in love with this rocker.  

Inside the community annex

Hats anyone?

Downtown Kalona.

Did I mention it was raining and very windy...yup.

I LOVE this store. We've gone to it before. I had to go back. I knew my sister would like it to. 

Its a house and a barn filled to the brim with new and old. Plus the outside is a hole wonderland in itself. I would seriously take home so much if I lived there. 

Inside the top level of the house.

Out front. 

I think it was a success

Amana Iowa

OK, I know I really should get back to my Iowa trip. Especially since the good part where we went to see the Amish are coming up. Ill try to do as much if not all now. So on Monday, Day 3 of the trip we had it to ourselves. Although it was 100% chance of rain it was the only day we could go to Amana. So we pushed on and drive over an hour to get there. It only poured on the way home and of course there. And no we didn't have umbrellas. Oops! Needless to say we bought some. We found some kid ones that I took home for the kids. We went to a few of our favorite shops and the first one the nice man gave us a 10% coupon ( written on a post it of course! ) to go eat at the local restaurant. We also visited a few of our favorite shops that unfortunately will be closing in a few days. Glad we got to get in before it did.

Local Weather.

I asked Siri to give us directions. She took us the back way in. 

Which was down a dirt road. We thought we were lost but at least we got to see some cool barns. 

First stop was this little in door out door shop. Tons of cute garden decor. 

If I lived there Id buy tons for our yard! This is where we got our coupon. 

Post it!

The food was good and got us out of the rain. 

Then off to the woolen mill.

The inside.

Everything was pretty dead since it was pouring the entire time.

Mom even used our cool kid umbrellas. 

The Kitchen sink. Really this huge store ( had a big basement to ) that we go to every time was closing.  

Right outside the store.

Couldn't get enough of the tress!

And the leaves! Oh my! 

I can only imagine these branches covered in ice!

Amana.

Cambria, my mom, and I went to the Amana's to walk around and do some shopping.

It was pretty quite. But it was a weekday.

Checking out the Woven mill.

Loved this Lil Antique store outside the city.

Cambria fell in love with this cake topper. I was hesitant cause it was $5 but she played with it the whole time. She kept calling them "Get Married".

Last mini day on the train and our first day in Iowa.

The last day on the train we got off around 11am. Theres only 1 stop in Iowa and our destination was 3 hours away so we got a rental car after our train station stop and headed out to cedar rapids.
We missed the 100 degree Cali weather and faired well with the mild temp's. That's a first for Iowa summers!

Unfortunately my glasses didn't travel well.

Good thing I had the iPad to keep her entertained on long car rides.

We headed off to the mall soon after our arrival. I was gonna try and find a new pair of glasses but stoped in at Lens crafters and they melted the metal back and fixed them for free! Cambria was in heaven with this playground they had.

We stayed at the Hawthorn suites by Wyndham, It was a very nice hotel with the perfect size rooms for all of us.

This was her face the first night she had to leave Hannah's side to go to bed, without her. Oh boy!

Good morning.

The next day we took Hannah over to Aunt Marie and Jim's barn so that she can see some horses. My mom,Cambria, and my self headed out to Kalona and Amana's for the day. We ran into this Lil Antique store on the way.

First stop the Kalona cheese house.

Watching them make cheese.

Next stop StringTown Grocery. This is the Amish grocery that we usually visit when in town.

Complete with Buggy's outside!

You bet I bought a ton of these. I think the most expensive was 97cents!