A Trip to Kalona, Iowa

During our trip to visit my parents in Iowa, we decided to
go to a small town about an hour and a half away. Kalona
has an interesting heritage. The inhabitants are a mixture
of Old Time Amish (the really strict ones), Beachy Amish
(not quite so strict), Mennonites (not nearly as strict), and
"Kalonatics"! We ate at a Christian Bar (hmmm), wandered
the streets lined with quaint little shops, and went into the
bakery that sold "World Famous" cinnamon rolls and canned chicken...

The highlight of our trip to Kalona was the museum. We began
our tour in the quilt room which had quilts lining the walls
dating all the way back to 1856 (my mom was in heaven!).
We went through the Amish quilt room and then headed
out on our guided tour. Although all of us wondered if our
guide would make it through the whole tour (it seemed as
though she was knocking on heaven's door herself),
we really enjoyed it. The museum had moved many buildings onto their
land in order to create a small village. Looking through the
houses, school, church, and shops made me very thankful that
I was born in the 20th century! However, the double-hole outhouse
made me raise my arms and praise the Lord! I do
think I would have enjoyed some of the perks of the
schoolhouse!!!