Iowa - southeast - Ottumwa/Bloomfield
 

We have a family reunion at Lake Wapello Iowa every year for a week. Lake Wapello is in the southeast part of the state betwee Ottumwa and Bloomfield.

We are looking for quirky or unusual or just fun things to do without a couple of hour drive from there. For example, at one time, Roseanne Barr and Tom Arnold had a restaurant in a tiny town that featured their memorabilia. I think that ended when they broke up.

Another town has the American Gothic house - great for photo opportunities.

Does anyone know of anything that we might have missed in our umpteen years at the family reunion?

Debbie

Have you been to the Monument to the Wheel just north of Lynnville. It is in the shape of a large spruce tree and stands around 30' high and 20' across. If I remember right the fellow that built it was in his 80's at the time. It's made alomst entirely of steel wheels from old farm wagons welded together. At the edge of town is an old mill alongside the river that's been turned into a b&b.

No, I'd never heard of that. That's exactly the sort of thing that I'm looking for.

We could combine that with a trip to Des Moines maybe.

Debbie

The Amana Colonies up near Iowa City.

If you do not mind traveling southeast and crossing the river into IL you could visit Historic Nauvoo on the Mississippi River. We found the area interesting.

http://www.beautifulnauvoo.com/

http://www.historicnauvoo.net/

Thanks for the Amana colonies and Nauvoo tips.

Nauvoo would be on our way there if we take two lane roads rather than the Interstate. I told my husband that maybe we should do that anyway this year. We always went that way as kids, but my son has never gone that way. (Of course, I don't think he will care. (G))

Debbie

If you do stop in Nauvoo, cross the river at Fort Madison to head toward Lake Wapello. If you're in FM around lunch time, stop at the Ivy Bake Shoppe. They have a great lunch and terrific desserts! The Old Fort in FM is also interesting and right on the Mississippi. You could then follow Highway 2 toward Bloomfield. There are lots of interesting places in Van Buren County. Check out http://www.800-tourvbc.com/

In Centerville, a short drive west from the lake, there are a couple of places that are fun for shopping - Bradley Hall and The Columns. They have a lot of unique gifty kinds of items. http://www.bradleyhall.info/ and http://thecolumns.info

Have fun!

Iowa SR-2 across the southern part of the state also follows the The Old Mormon Pioneer Trail. At least that is what the sighs say.

http://www.americanwest.com/trails/pages/mormtrl.htm

We might try to do the Fort Madison crossing this year. When I was a girl, we'd always cross at Keokuk. More recently we take I-74 up to the quad cities and cross up there. We are thinking of going the "old way" this time, and could go across at Fort Madison instead of Keokuk.

I did some searching on Centerville and it looks like there are several "things to see" in that area. I don't think I've been there before. I've been north of the lake and south of the lake and east of the lake - but never, you guessed it, west of the lake.

I hadn't thought about their being signs for the Old Mormon Trail. I do remember stopping at the Carthage City Jail as a girl since it was one of the things to see on the route. It is a Mormon site.

Debbie