Luxury at the Hotel Pattee in Perry, Iowa

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 would go off without a hitch. Everything was perfect from the food, to the social hour, to the conference room we used. I highly recommend the Hotel Pattee if you are looking for a hotel for any event.

Now, on to the hotel... I stayed in the Irish room.


The room was tastefully decorated with Irish woolens, Aran knits and rough hewn furniture. Irish knick-knacks were around the room and Irish sayings rimmed the ceiling. When lit from just below with a dimmer it was almost ethereal. My favorite part of the room were the built in cabinets. Mine had a small nook with a pull out writing table. This room was so comfortable... I could have easily curled up in here and let the weekend pass by.

The bathroom was large with an oversized sink/ vanity and a bathtub/ shower combo.

The Hotel Pattee is a boutique hotel and has only 40 rooms, each with it's own theme. All have the wonderful built in cabinets, some have whirlpool tubs and some are handicapped accessible. Two rooms, the Kids' Suite and the Travel Suite, are family friendly and overlook the whimsical sculpture garden.

The wonder of the Pattee isn't only in its' rooms. It begins as you walk through the heavy wooden doors into the lobby. I think breathtaking is the only way to describe it. The tiled floors, the mahogany desk and the stone fireplace, modeled after the one at the Biltmore in North Carolina. It's beautiful and inviting and unexpected.

Just to the side of the fireplace is the library. Shelves of books, floor to ceiling, invite you to peruse, choose and relax. Even the bathrooms are fabulous!

In the basement of the hotel is a rare treat: a two lane bowling alley. Leave the husband and kids there and go relax in the spa. There is also a fitness center, steam room, sauna and hot tub.

If you're hungry you don't have to leave the hotel as the best food in Perry is found on property at David's Milwaukee Diner. I recommend the quiche. If you are there on a Sunday morning don't miss the brunch, served from 10 am - 2 pm.

The Hotel Pattee sits on the edge of Perry's quaint downtown area. Wander around, take in the small town atmosphere,relax and just enjoy your stay.

Room rates vary depending on type of room and day of the week. Be sure to check for special package deals.

Hotel Review
Perry

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Salisbury House, Des Moines, Iowa, USA

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 Salisbury, England in 1921 and saw "Kings House", which now houses the Salisbury And South Wiltshire Museum. They knew instantly that they would design their Des Moines home after the Tudor style mansion. Not only did he design his home to look historic- many of the materials actually were historic. The west section of the roof and the cottage were covered with 17th century tile from Lord Nelson’s Trafalgar estate in England and interiors included imported 16th-century English oak paneling and floors, as well as five fireplaces. It's spectacular.

Salisbury House is now owned by the Salisbury House Foundation and is open for tours March 1 thru December 31, Tuesday thru Friday and Sunday. Schedules and prices can be found here.

The Weeks were avid collectors. In addition to the antique art and tapestries you'll see antique swords, rare books and documents (including a leaf from the original Gutenberg Bible), English Wedgewood, and medieval armor. What's most impressive, though, is that Carl and Edith Weeks raised four boys in this home. Upstairs reflects more about their life as a family.

In addition to tours Salisbury House also hosts public events and allows the house and gardens to be rented for private events- like weddings. Talk about a fairy tale! Some of the most popular public events are:
Chamber Music Concerts

History Lectures

Salisbury Automobile Classic

Gatsby Gala

Shakespeare on the Lawn

Jazz in July

In the past Salisbury House has also participated in the Holly & Ivy tour. Viewing the house decorated for Christmas is truly magical. We have also had "Tea at the Castle" for Mother's Day.

Salisbury House was featured in an episode of America's Castles: The Anglophiles on A&E in 1997.

To view more photos from this amazing house click here. It may just make you want to visit Des Moines! There's more here than you might think!

Things To Do
Des Moines

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Principal Family Fun Fest: Coming to a Minor League Team Near You

As much as I love traveling the world I am a proud Iowan. I love my state and I do my best to support the businesses that base themselves here. So when I heard about the Principal Family Fun Fest, a carnival (of sorts) that travels across the US to minor league baseball parks with over 20 midway style attractions & activities, well, I wanted to share it. Partly because Principal is an Iowa company but mostly because the Family Fun Fest is FREE!

Principal Family Fun Fest begins this Friday May 1 in Charlotte, SC. It will travel north, south, east and west across the country, from Charlotte to Reno, with dozens of stops before ending in Woodbridge, VA on September 5. Want to see if the Principal Fun Fest is coming to a stadium near you? You can view the itinerary by states or by game date.

The Principal Family Fun Fest runs 3 hours before each scheduled game and does not include game tickets. As most minor league tickets are relatively inexpensive you can get a full day of family fun for less than taking the kids to a movie!

Feelin' Lucky?

Enter the 401-K challenge and you could win $5000! Just choose the team you think will reach 401 strikeouts at home first. There are also local prizes awarded including a Best Buy gift card and a night's stay at Days Inn.

If you get a chance to attend before the tour hits Iowa June 19 please let me know how you liked it!

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

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 secret: Des Moines is the #1 spot for US insurance companies to do business and is home to ING Group, Aviva, Principal Financial Group, Nationwide, Holmes Murphy and others. Banking is also big here with Wells Fargo recently building a 176 acre, $250 million campus in West Des Moines. In fact, Meredith Publishing (Better Homes & Gardens, American Baby, Parents, Family Circle & many more) is headquartered right downtown. So we are very popular with businesses.

Des Moines is also becoming quite the popular place to live as noted by Kiplinger #9; ArticlesBase.com #6; and Forbes . And the suburb of Ankeny (my home) was touted as one of the 10 Best Towns for Families by Family Circle.

But what good are jobs and great communities if there's nothing to do? Well, as Des Moines has grown in business it has grown in substance. Take a look at these offerings:

Downtown
It wasn’t long ago that downtown Des Moines seemed to roll up its sidewalks at night. The revitalization of downtown has changed that. With new condos and lofts replacing vacant buildings the downtown area has responded with great restaurants and activities.

If you’re looking for funky charm the East Village, which sits just below the state capitol, provides an eclectic atmosphere for retail therapy and amazing dining.

For night life and more food head over to Court Avenue and take your pick from dozens of amusements. A family friendly atmosphere can be found at Spaghetti Works, Court Avenue Brewing Company and the Royal Mile (best fish & chips in town).

For dining and gaming fun head to AllPlay, formerly InPlay, for food, mini bowling and two floors of games for the whole family.

Des Moines has culture, too. The Civic Center features Broadway plays and musicals, Hoyt Sherman Place and the Temple of Performing Arts host more intimate performances. Des Moines even has a ballet, a symphony and a Dance Theater. You can also explore a couple of art galleries and every summer brings the Des Moines Arts Festival which is quickly becoming a "must do" for artists from all over the world.

For sports fans we have the Barnstormers minor league arena football, the Iowa Cubs minor league baseball, the Iowa Chops AHL hockey, the Des Moines Buccaneers US Hockey League, and the Iowa Energy NBA Developmental League basketball. Want to get out and be active yourself? Explore the Riverwalk or the Gray’s Lake area.

More kid friendly activities include the wonderful Science Center with play and learn displays and the Blank Park Zoo, which isn’t really downtown but is mighty close.

If you happen to be in Des Moines on a Saturday between May and September Court Avenue closes to traffic and is filled with vendors for the Downtown Farmer’s Market. Fresh produce, food stalls and crafts line the street. The months of November and December bring an indoor version just in time for the holidays.

Out from Downtown
If you’re searching for history you’ll want to head west out of downtown on Grand Avenue. As you crest the hill you can’t miss our governor’s mansion, Terrace Hill, overlooking the city. Terrace Hill was given to the state in 1971 and has been home to our governors, who live on the 3rd floor, since that time. Tours are available Tuesday- Saturday from March thru December.

As you continue west watch for the signs for Salisbury House, modeled after the King’s House in Salisbury, England. Built from 1923-1928 this majestic building was a family home and now houses amazing collections of swords, art and books. The house is available to tour March through December, Tuesday through Friday and Sunday. Many events also take place here including weddings, classical concerts, teas, Shakespeare of the Lawn and the Salisbury Classic Auto Show.

Historic Valley Junction is just a bit farther west and offers dining, unique shops, art galleries and a look back at Des Moines history.

If you want to take a “step back in time” be sure to visit Living History Farms in the suburb of Urbandale. See how life was “in the olden days” from the native Indians to the settlers that farmed the rich soil.

The Suburbs
For upscale shopping and dining head to West Des Moines’ Jordan Creek and West Glen areas. Jordan Creek Town Center houses stores like Sephora, Godiva, Barnes & Noble, Build-a-Bear and many others. It also has a large theater and dining at restaurants like the Cheesecake Factory, Champps and Panera.

Surrounding the mall is the Lake District and the Village, home to more shops (like DSW and Ulta as well as the new Aveda school) and restaurants like Joe’s Crab Shack, Fleming’s Steak House and PF Chang’s.

The West Glen Town Center, just off Interstate 35, brings exclusive shops, scrumptious dining and urban living together with a small town feel.

In Altoona you’ll find Adventureland, an amusement park for all ages. Nearby is Prairie Meadows for more adult entertainments like horse racing, casino gaming and live music.

Though it's not really a suburb I must mention Newton, a bit farther to the west, and the Iowa Speedway for NASCAR enthusiasts.

The remaining suburbs- Ankeny, Waukee, Norwalk, Grimes, Johnston and others- provide parks, pools, libraries, golf, summer festivals and other year round amusements.

Iowa State Fair
I can’t really talk about Des Moines without at least mentioning our great state fair . The setting for movies, songs and Broadway musicals the fairgrounds sit on Des Moines’ east side. The Iowa State Fair runs for 10 days in mid-August and brings people from absolutely everywhere in the world.

How to Get Here
Des Moines is located in the center of the great state of Iowa. It is serviced by the Des Moines International Airport. Des Moines is also the meeting place of two main interstates- I-80 & I-35, making it an easy destination to get to.

Where to Stay
Des Moines and it's suburbs have hundreds of hotels. Choose your favorite; chances are it's here.

It's funny how I can say I'm from Iowa and practically everyone has an Iowa story. Come make your own. And be sure to let me know. I may be able to take you to a real farm with live animals. And, a big thanks to reader Melody (who commented) who supplied this link to Agritourism Farms in Iowa.

Things To Do
Des Moines

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Our First Camping Trip

Doug and I had camped many times before the girls were born. But that camping was so much different than what we did this past weekend. You see, before the girls came along we did very rustic camping (read: no running water, no electricity, no toilets). What we did this past weekend with the girls was almost like camping in luxury.

Don't misunderstand, we were in a tent- a very nice tent, but still a tent. What made it nice was the campground. We stayed at Pammel Park, just south of Winterset, Iowa in Madison County (as in "The Bridges of", about 30 minutes south-west of Des Moines).

The campground is set up for RVs with water and electricity but also has "tent only" sites without those amenities. We chose an RV site and went to work setting up camp. The girls helped in their "this is a game" way but overall it was painless as the tent went together easily and I brought chairs, drinks and snacks to keep the girls occupied.

Close to the campsite was a play area (a must with my girls) and a modern restroom (with a shower). Each campsite also has a fire pit and picnic table.

Pammel Park was one of Iowa's first State Parks and is full of history and adventures. We spent time exploring the park around the Lodge (built in the 1920's), playing in the ford across Middle River (I have yet to meet a kid who can't spend hours throwing rocks into water) and hiking through the wide expanses of parkland. Brenna even toasted her first marshmallows.

With all the fun we had there are a few things that would have made our stay better. I found this great camping checklist online but have some necessities of my own to add to it:

• I pack for camping in plastic totes (like Rubbermaid or Sterilite). Why mess up nice luggage? These also come in very handy for keeping your food safe from small critters (or larger ones).


• The new SpaceBags Cube are perfect for condensing heavy bedding. (And if you have an airpump for an air mattress you can repack everything quite easily.)


• Oh, yes, definately an air mattress and air pump.


• Don't forget towels if the park has showers.


• Always pack one or two spare sets of clothing "just in case"


• If there is electricity available don't forget a long extention cord with plenty of outlets


• If you plan to be inside your tent in the afternoon for naps (and you have electricity available) bring a fan. Yes, really. You'll thank me for that tip!


• Don't forget the marshmallows!


• Even if it's summer bring jeans, socks and long sleeved shirts if you want to hike through the woods.


• Baby wipes are a life-saver (even if you don't have a baby!)


• More blankets than you think you'll need. You'll want them for padding under sleeping bags (or get a mattress pad), to lay on top of an air mattress (or, again, a mattress pad), and it can get chilly even in the middle of summer out in the wilderness.

Camping is a great family adventure. It's also very affordable- you don't need a big RV and you don't have to travel across the country to have a good time.

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Geisler Family Farm Corn Maze, Ankeny, Iowa, USA

Travel doesn't always have to take us far from home. Here's a bit of fun just minutes from Des Moines, Iowa:

This was written for my other blog Iowa Geek:

Last night was the Harvest Moon (the first full moon after the first day of fall). It is called the harvest moon because farmers were able to harvest crops long into the night by the light of the moon. This was, of course, before tractors with headlights.

Yesterday was a gorgeous fall day that became a perfect fall evening. I had reserved a fire pit area at Geisler Family Farm Corn Maze and invited a group of friends to join us for roasting hotdogs, toasting marshmallows and fun in the corn.

This is quite possibly the best corn maze I have been to. I love the layout- pictured below. You are given a picture of the maze with the locations of 10 numbered posts. If you find all the posts and stamp your card you get a prize.

But before that fun the kids wore themselves out on all the fun stuff the Geisler family set up. There is a huge tire swing (think rear tractor tire huge), a swingset with a "lookout tower" and slide, beanbag toss games and roping a (PVC) steer. The rope was also great for some impromptu tug-of-war.

Of course cooking over fire was a great hit. Here is my nephew Carter learning the fine art of marshmallow toasting.
The fire pit areas are set up with benches and a table to lay out your feast. There is an electrical outlet (with two plugs) if you want to bring something in a crock pot. (I brought Taco Soup. It was a hit. I'll share the recipe soon.)

After cleaning up and when the moon was high in the sky it was time to take the girls and navigate the maze. Here's Brenna at a crossroads.

I wish you could see how spectacular the moon was. It was huge and so bright. Unfortunately I didn't think to use the "fireworks" setting on my camera... I bet it would have worked.

And here we are deep in the maze. We had a great time. Caelan even stayed awake the entire time. She was bouncing around in the backpack as we went trudging along the paths singing "Old McDonald".


If you are anywhere near central Iowa some weekend during the next month I really recommend a visit to Geisler Family Farm. In addition to the fun stuff I mentioned they also have a soybean maze that the kids can navigate on their own, hayrack rides (handicapped accessible) and pumpkin picking! It's great family fun. I promise.

This just proves that you can have great fun in your own backyard. Here are some links to corn mazes around the US. This list is current as of 9/26/2007


Corn Mazes America
About.com: Puzzles
Cornfieldmaze.com
Corn Maze Directory

Alternately you can do a more specific search using your search engine of choice. Unless, of course, you decide to come to the midwest. I do promise a great time at our local maze.

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