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You are here: Home / Archives for Iowa

The Ramsey Farm at Lesanville, Ringgold County, Iowa

By Jody Halsted April 25, 2007

Mt.Ayr, Ringgold County, IA Link to Ramsey Farm Homepage We spent an entire weekend in the Axtel House with my siblings and their families in the early fall of 2005. This house has two bedrooms with ensuite baths and two bedrooms with a shared bath. There is also a half bath on the main level. […]

3 Comments · Filed Under: Hotels and Lodging, USA · Tagged With: B and B, Farm, Iowa, Iowa

Des Moines, Iowa: There’s More Here Than You Might Think

By Jody Halsted February 9, 2009

I recently spent the weekend in Nashville meeting bloggers from across the country (and even a few from Canada). It was an amazing experience but I was surprised at the “What can you do in Des Moines” questions. A Great Place to Live and Work First I want to let you in on a little […]

5 Comments · Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged With: Des Moines, handy tips, Iowa, Iowa

Coral Ridge Mall near Iowa City Has More Than Just Shopping

By Jody Halsted June 1, 2011

Old Fashioned Carousel at Coral Ridge Mall in Iowa City

Road trip season is upon us- yea!  If your family is anything like my family you love the rest stops en route to your destination.  A few weeks ago Caelan an I were traveling to eastern Iowa so I could make a presentation to the Eastern Iowa Tourism Board.  At the invitation of the Iowa […]

3 Comments · Filed Under: Driving, USA · Tagged With: Iowa

Hometown Cookin’ at the Colorado Grill in Boone, Iowa

By Jody Halsted April 12, 2010

Colorado Grill

A  spectacular March Sunday sent us home from church to change clothes and head out for a hike at Ledges State Park near Boone.  Before our hike we would grab lunch.  Where?  It remained to be seen.  I was hoping for a small town greasy spoon; someplace you enter and people look you up and […]

3 Comments · Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged With: Food and Restaurants, Iowa, Iowa, Midwest

Spring Hiking at Ledges State Park

By Jody Halsted April 20, 2010

Flooding at Ledges State Park in Iowa

We’ve been enjoying spectacular spring weather this year- dry and warm (usually it’s cool and rainy).  The warm weather got us thinking about summer camping and we decided to check out the grounds at Ledges State Park and then take a hike.  We had a perfect day for our adventure. Though the weather was dry […]

5 Comments · Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged With: camping, Hiking, Iowa, State Parks

Salisbury House, Des Moines, Iowa, USA

By Jody Halsted August 12, 2009

Salisbury House viewed from the gardens I’m not sure anyone would think to look in Des Moines, Iowa for a 15th century English manor. OK, building began in 1923, at least 400 years after its namesake was built, but the date makes the building no less impressive. Carl Weeks and his wife Edith were in […]

Leave a Comment · Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged With: castle, Des Moines, history, Iowa, Iowa

Southern Iowa Gateway Welcome Center

By Jody Halsted March 15, 2010

Exit 4 on Interstate 35 is the last exit as you leave Iowa heading south.  Which, of course, makes it the first exit as you drive north into Iowa.  No matter which way you are driving, pull off the interstate at Exit 4 and wander in to the Southern Iowa Gateway Welcome Center. The Welcome […]

4 Comments · Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged With: Iowa, Iowa

Staybridge Suites for Business or Family Travel (Video)

By Jody Halsted June 21, 2010

I recently stayed at not one but two Staybridge Suites in the past month.  The first, in West Des Moines, Iowa was for a business meeting (I had also hosted a Moms Nite Out there a week prior).  The second, near the Galleria in Dallas, Texas was for a visit to my husband’s family. Both […]

1 Comment · Filed Under: hotel, Hotels and Lodging · Tagged With: Dallas, Des Moines, Iowa, Priority Club, Staybridge Suites, Texas

Images from Prelude to Christmas in the Amana Colonies, Iowa

By Jody Halsted December 8, 2009

We spent Sunday in one of our favorite Iowa areas: the Amana Colonies. I’ve written many times about the Amana Colonies but I just wanted to share some photos from our day. We visited the Tannenbaum Forest in the Festhalle Barn behind the Visitor’s Center. The girls were both happy to see Santa- he had […]

1 Comment · Filed Under: Uncategorized · Tagged With: Amana Colonies, food, history, Iowa, Iowa

Luxury at the Hotel Pattee in Perry, Iowa

By Jody Halsted November 16, 2009

This past weekend I hosted the I_Blog Conference at the Hotel Pattee in Perry, Iowa. I have to say that beyond the beauty of the hotel the staff worked very hard to make sure a good time was had by all. They worked with me every step of the way to make sure my event […]

3 Comments · Filed Under: hotel, USA · Tagged With: Des Moines, Fun for Kids, Iowa, Iowa

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