September 27, 2014. Are we in Switzerland or Iowa?

CAMPGROUND:  Pike's Pete State Park.  Nice state park with lots of hiking trails.  Electricity and pump to fill water tank.  Very nice bathrooms with good showers.  4 out of 5 stars.  Would have given it a 5 except no dishwashing area.  $16

LOCATION:  Near Mc Gregor, Iowa in northeast Iowa on Mississippi River bluffs

WEATHER:  Indian summer.  Highs around 80

We got a pretty good start leaving Rochester.  If we can hit the road by 10:00, that seems to be very efficient.  I don't know how we made 6:40 AM buses while working, especially getting 2 girls off to school.  Life is definitely a slower pace now!

We drove through southern Minnesota.  The corn and soybean fields look perfect for harvesting.  Beautiful rolling hills.  We were soon in Amish country around Harmony, MN.  The highways are extra wide to accommodate their horse and buggies.  Saturday is market day, and there was a long line of buggies heading back to their farms.

In town, some Amish ladies were selling their home-made quilts.

We soon crossed over to Iowa.  Our destination was Pike's Peak State Park.  I was intrigued by the name, as Iowa is famous for its flatness.  It turns out that this is indeed bluff country and is a favorite tourist destination in the fall.  We got the last campsite available.  Mostly Iowa families who are enjoying a nice fall weekend.

We took a hike along the river bluffs.  We learned that this area is called "Little Switzerland".  Kind of a stretch, I say.

Then, we drove into nearby McGregor.  It was founded in 1837 and has beautiful old homes.  We had a beer at Old Man River Brewery, then walked around.

Rosemaling (not sure of spelling) is a Scandinavian type of painting, usually on plates and cups.  In many parts of Iowa, you can see barns and houses with the Rosemaling designs.  This was in town.

  

Even though I'm from Iowa, I've not visited this area.  It will be fun exploring my home state.

In the early evening, we listened to Prairie Home Companion, around the campfire...our favorite Saturday PM  pastime. 

DINNER:  Fajitas.  I used the leftover canned chicken and leftover soy chorizo.  I sautéed the meats, along with peppers and onions, in a cumin and cayenne mix.  I served the mix  on warmed tortillas with a little cheddar cheese and diced tomato.  

Amazingly, we can pick up about 40 TV stations on our antenna.  We watched British comedies on PBS until we fell asleep.  Great way to end the day.