Arrived at Amana Colonies, Iowa

We stayed at Lewis and Clark State Park in Onawa, Iowa,  for several days before arriving in Amana Colonies yesterday.  At Lewis and Clark State Park there was no internet, so I could not post anything.  We arrived there last Sunday and it was crowded with people and boats.  By Monday all that had cleared out and there were only a few campers left to enjoy the park.  Problem was the wind.  We had plans to do some kayaking on the water, but the wind was blowing about 35 miles an hour and the water was choppy and if you drifted down the river you could not paddle back up.  On Tuesday they were strong all around us and we got some rain but not as bad as other areas north and west of us.  You could see the dark heavy clouds and lighting from where we were but the rain did not last long.  We were able to to get out and walk in the park on Tuesday some and see the Keel Boat that is parked there.  It is a replica, of course, from the Lewis and Clark  adventures and is parked there for viewing and some parties get to float around the river on it.  But only those that are special and we are not in that group. They did fire off the cannon on Tuesday before the rains came when a group was out on the river.

We are now at the Amana Colonies, which is seven villages built close to each other and served as communal living for some Germans that moved here in 1855.  The had stated a religious church in Germany in the 1700 and were persecuted for their beliefs and moved in 1840s to Buffalo, New York.   They grew to about 1200 to 1600 folks and needed more space for growing food and building material to supply everyone with all their needs.  They found 26,000 acres here in Amana Iowa and moved.  In the 1930 they gave up the communal living and each person was on their own for food and material things but the colonies still remained here and the people still worked in the shops doing their trades.  They have a Woolen Mill, Meat Shop and Smokehouse, Furniture Shops, Winery and Brewing Shops, Clock Shops, Cooper Shops and Communal Kitchens, a Tinsmith,  and a broom and basket shop.  This is only a part of the list.  We are going exploring today to see every thing.  I will try to post it tomorrow.

 Our view of the river

Other empty campsites