Wed., June 23

Well, we (my family and I) have done the Amana Colonies. 2.5 days is OK if you have something else going on, like family reunion. Otherwise, there is not much to do here. Three restaurants, all serve family style and way too much of everything, and all quite redundant of each other. Also, after a few hours of exploring, there is not much else to do.

To be fair, we were greatly hampered by weather. Had some tremendous thunderstorms and heavy rain. My RV Resort, although very clean and lots of grass, has no concrete. Therefore, with all the rain, everything is very muddy. And I had just cleaned the coach in anticipation of my family visit. We had planned to spend a lot of time under the awning, but much too muddy.

But we had a good time together nonetheless. Tomorrow I take my brother and his wife back to Minnesota, and then on to Mpls., to pick up my friend John Winter who will accompany me on the rest of the trip. We'll also see friend Pam Holt in Mpls.

Amana Colonies is not an Amish community, contrary to popular opinion. It is rather an updated version of same, with some contemporary amenities and conveniences within a very plain, simple lifestyle. Great shops and antiques. Some interesting simplistic architecture, the shop keepers and service personnel all fit the very old fashioned lifestyles. Many could have stepped right off the stage of "The Sound of Music". With all the rain they have had this spring, everything is very lush and green here like earlier in the trip.

Well, must close and transition myself to a new leg of the trip. Ta-ta.