I know Iowa was in June, but I wanted to wrap up the trip highlights. I have three more trips planned for August. THREE! What was I thinking?
Anyway, one of the highlights of my trip to Iowa was a chance to get some new ink with my daughter. We made appointments months ago. The artist at the Iron Heart cleared his schedule for us. My brother entertained the 6-year-old while we spent the afternoon getting stuck with needles. Fun, fun! Here’s the tattoo parlor in Des Moines that we went to.
My daughter has a thing for garden gnomes and decided to have both of her daughters made into gnomes. The lighting is bad, so is the swelling. The colors today are beautiful. I’ll have to have new pics done so you can see them better.
Here’s mine. I wanted something simple and “Story” was the word that meant the most to me. Josh made it beautiful. And since I have a thing for fairy art, this turned out perfectly. The colors don’t really show up well here either. It’s gorgeous. The fairy looks like a Dominatrix. Perfect!
Brother and SIL took us to a township called Amana. The shops are very retro. Tons of artisans—glassware, fudge, etc. Needless to say, I spent a lot!
On the way back from Iowa, we passed acres and acres of vineyards, and a sign—Wiederkehr Wine Cellars. Of course, we had to stop. While we strolled through their shop selecting t-shirts and bottles of wine, a funny thing happened that reminded me we were back in Arkansas. A woman came through the doors. She was dressed in shorts, big hair, and a t-shirt that rode up her round belly. In a very loud voice she yelled to one of the employees, “Y’all got any strawberry wiiiine?”
The clerk pasted on a bright smile. “Ma’am, we have our own grape vineyards.”
Maybe that was too ambiguous.
“Y’all got any other flavors? Got any peach wiiiine?
The clerk’s smile tightened. “Sorry, ma’am. We sell only grape wine.”
My daughter and I snickered. Yup. We were back home all right. Here’s a picture of the vineyards the woman couldn’t have missed seeing on the drive.
We stayed for a very nice German-style meal in the vineyard’s restaurant.
Then back on the road. By this time, our luggage and everything we’d bought took up all of the tiny trunk area and most of the back seat. Little one didn’t complain a bit about being squished.
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You would think living in Minnesota I would have visted Amana at least once, but I haven’t. I’ve heard it is beautiful. I’ll get there one of these days. I’m going to Mount Rushmore and the Black Hills for the first time in October and I can’t wait.
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that sounds like so much fun and that tats are gorgeous. i have 5 myself and they are all roses. the reasoning behind that is that i may look like something that is sweet but watch out for the damn thorns! LOL!
i’m glad you had fun.
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Gotta say, woman that’s one ~*awesome*~ bad-ass tattoo! 😀 …just sayin’ …bringing ~SEXY BACK~!…Oh, Hell Yeah! 😉 #CoolSummerRoadTrip
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Lisa J! I’d much rather make the road trip you have planned! I want pics!
Tammy! Roses are cool too!! But I have pansies on my feet.
Bookhookah! Ahhhh thanks! And I saw your RT too!
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I love a road trip when you have time to stop when & where you want. What a day, first you got to poke around in those shops & then a vineyard (love to taste before I buy).
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A great time had by all!
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I am happy for you that you’ve been able to spend some time traveling…nothing like it.
Haven’t had the time for a US road trip in the past few years, but someday would love to do just that. I’d do the national parks first, I think. Add New Orleans, Jackson Hole, and Grand Canyon.
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The garden gnomes tattoo is cute. I don’t have the guts to get a tattoo. I like your simple “story” tattoo.
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I really want to get a tattoo!! I think a hummingbird with pansies to start with. I have to say gnomes are kinda creepy!! But the artist did a great job!! I love your fairy and “story” is so spot on for you!
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Wow, awesome tat, savonna’s right, coz it’s so you! I saw a fairy on the moon tat once but without any colors… kinda dark and mysterious.
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How fun, Delilah! Loved the photos–your family’s gorgeous 🙂
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Welllll………HOLLLY…… when you take a dive you take a dive… That is one large tattoo (albeit beautiful one)! You must have been thinking about it for a while. It isnt often someone is willing to share both personal and family pictures,–kudos to you and thanks for sharing!!