We came, we saw, we conquered - the Amana Colonies!

Willkommen to Amana   

This past weekend Mary, Maria and I drove out to west to the Amana Colonies in Iowa - home of the Zubers.  Our dear little german friend Maria invited us to experience her home town - where she was born and raised as well as her parents, her grandparents, her great-grandparents, and great-great-grandparents.  Yes, they were the original settlers of this BEAUTIFUL town.  Because I do not want to butcher the history of this amazing place you can learn more about this German colony here and here - or leave a question below because you will get the best answers for the settlers themselves.  I am sure the Zubers would love to answer any questions you have.

  

But enough words - let me show you how amazing this destination is and how much fun we had.  

WARNING: There is a dizzying amount of photos coming.

giant, steroid fed pigs

lots of ladders, very old ladders in vacant barns - love it

every girl's dream - running wild through open fields - oh, just me?

Mary and I tackling our first barbed-wire fence - we're champs

checkin' out Mr. Zuber's deer blind (a must in Iowa)

the hunter

and the gatherer

the brand new truck - she was a beauty and so lush

 the quintessential farmer pose - so much to ponder

so we tried it too

 hay bales - hours of fun (and itching)

and corn fields before they are hay bales

downtown Amana - so quaint

so many beautiful, original homes and buildings

 dirndls - HOT

milkmaids....

the hills are alive, with the sound of music

i love this pic of Mary - so pretty

Maria's family cemetery.  

cheese curds!