Des Moines, Iowa

You, Aunt Darla, were correct! Congrats you Google Queen!

It was only supposed to take 4 hours to get from Madison to Des Moines. Due to the flooding in the Midwest it ended up taking 8 hours.

Too Many Detours.

But these detours were for good reason.

I saw a bridge  that had water only a foot  below it. The bridge acted as a skimmer, trapping at least 15 huge trees that were uprooted by the floods and were stuck there, floating on the murky, mucky flood waters. A little league park was flooded with over two feet of water. And these sights were seen a week after the flooding occurred, after the clean-up.

We had two days off after we arrived in Des Moines. So after a run, and taking bread, peanut butter and jelly from the free breakfast my coworkers and I decided to contact the Red Cross and see how we could help. We ended up visiting a home for displaced kids. It was really nice to bring some smiles to this area. I am glad we did that.

We also visited a “Living Farm.” Very, very similiar to Mystic, CT’s Mystic Seaport- but allll about FARMS! In fact one employee had been to the east coast once, and where did he go? Mystic Seaport. Small world?

I got to pet a baby cow, realize I could never own pigs (they smell sooo incredibly bad–even if they are so cute!) and I even learned the difference between straw and hay at the children’s museum. For the record: straw is what animals sleep in, hay is what animals eat!!!

The farm was followed by a HUGE hot dog feast at Hickory Park in Ames, Iowa right outside of Iowa State. I had a “Garbage Frank.” GET IT! It’s a 1/2 pound of hot dog with bacon, ham, sautéed peppers and onions with melted cheese on top. The best hot dog I have EVER had. I mean it.  (But as I travel I am sure I will be trying more—so I will update you accordingly.)

I also ate at Myrabi9 and had some fabulous sushi and a Kirin (excellent Japanese beer) in downtown Des Moines. In that same area I suggest the Hessen Haus for some German food and to play a lil’ DAS BOOT.

What is Das Boot you ask?

Well I am glad you asked. I had only heard about it when I was in Wisconsin, but now I have been involved in TWO boots in IOWA.

At this particular bar you purchase a Boot (a glass shaped as a large boot and filled with whatever beer you want) and you pass it around the table taking sips. Not so tricky, huh?

Now, for the rules:

1. The tip of the boot must stay pointing into the center of the table for the entire game.

2. You must never set the boot down.

3. Before passing the boot you MUST flick it.

4. If you get splashed in the face with beer (which is inevitable at the end) you must drink again.

5. If you finish the beer you must buy the next one!

Fun game–ignore the germs! When in Des Moines I say!

Oh, and what beer did I drink that night? Kostritzer Schwarzbier and Hacker Pschorr Alt. I am mostly German you know.

What was even more fun is that we got to play with some actual Des Moines-ians. We met a girl while working and we ended up meeting up her and her people at the Hessen Haus–they introduced us to Das Boot. Good people.

So, after a week in the land of cornfields, pork and pretty much nothing else it’s off to the “city” life of Indiana.

Me and Norman, the baby cow.

The “Garbage Frank” at Hickory Park in Ames, Iowa.

Madison, Wisconsin

This city really, truly surprised me.

This may be shocking to some of you but if, and I mean IF, I didn’t go to Penn State I would have LOVED to have attended the University of Wisconsin.

It is an absolutely beautiful “city.” A little bigger than State College with a very similar set-up. The main street is State Street which crosses Madison diagonally and is within walking distance to the prominent capital building. State Street is home to dozens of bars, about every other store front is a bar—my kind of town There are many outside drinking spots and the streets (even during the summer months) are packed with students and “Madisonians.”

Madison is also home to the fabulous “Spotted Cow.” Mmmmmmm. It is so good. Golden. Light and so crisp and oh so refreshing.

I miss it already.

The whole crew went out to my coworker “Mr. Beeftastic’s” former employer’s “Brat’s” (pronounces Braughts…not Bratz—whoops. ehhhhh). Brat’s had three bars and a tiny sliver of a lit up dance floor. Which, as expected, I along with my coworkers were all over—while the locals stared at us and our amazing dance moves.

OH! Another thing about Madison. I must say, formally, that Madison, Wisconsin has THE best radio stations in the entire country. They surprise you everyday by playing everything from Fleetwood Mac to Weezer to The Eagles to Chumbawamba to The Temptations and even Lil’ Wayne–all on the same station. Perfection.

When in Madison, you MUST try Cheese Curds. Believe me. Just try them. They don’t wear those cheese hats for nothing.

I cooked my own kabob, that weighed about 30 lbs on an open grill at “Prime Quarters” and had a Nitty Gritty Burger at “The Nitty Gritty” where you get free beer all night on your birthday.

ALSO:

Eat at these places:

Old Fashioned (have a cheeseburger with an over-easy egg on top!)

Pedro’s ( they make the guacamole at your table)

Culver’s ( Wisconsin’s very own fast food chain)

and

HIT UP THE HOLIDAY INN AT AMERICAN CENTER!!! THE BEST STAFF HANDS DOWN. Say “Hi!” to Tim for me. The best beds, pillows and bar.

I sat next to the president of my company at an Irish Pub. And then chit-chatted with him the next day on the elevator—baller?! YES! Great experience.

And then I got paid to play laser tag and climb a 47-foot wall and do the “Flying Squirrel” on a ropes course.

Needless to say I ate A LOT. Drank A LOT. Worked A LOT. Eventually got paid A LOT. And slept…NEVER.

After 14 days in Madison I gained 14 lbs (not really, but it works in this sentence), made 14 best friends (and I am NOT just saying that) and am on my way to at LEAST 14 states.

First stop:

FUN FACT: The city I am in has a ten day fair every summer and it happens to be the largest city fair in the country.

WHERE IN THE UNITED STATES IS “LUNCH LOVIN’ LB*”?

*we all got to create fun names for the press—you like?!