Takeaway:

• Templeton Rye is still my favorite.  It’s bottled and labeled (by hand) in Templeton, IA.  AND there is a tasting at the end of their tour!  Yum.  

• To get to Templeton Distillery, simply put Templeton, IA into GPS and pick a street.   You can wander around and eventually run into it or ask someone on Main Street!  Try to take the highways for a beautiful ride (as long as it’s not a snow storm).

• Downtown Carroll, IA has a cute boutique, We The Dreamerz.  Great pricing and selection.  Then again, don’t go.  I want it all for myself.

• Des Moines is AMAZING.  Saturday farmer’s markets are a must.  Especially check out Gemstones Jewelry.

• If you go to Fong’s Pizza, take a kamikazee shot.  If they ask if you would like it with a helmet, you do.

• Yes to Zombie Burger, but even more yes to their fried brussel sprouts and milkshakes.

    

Whiskey, wine and Shopping Time

Iowa, Iowa, Iowa.  I am able to drive there in 10 minutes from the house I grew up in, but still haven’t spent much time in the state.  So when I decided cross over the river and check it out, I wasn’t sure where to start.  However, not too long ago I’d been telling my mom and Grandma about how much I love a good Old Fashioned and the best way to make it being with “the good stuff”, Templeton Rye.  My grandma blew my mind, informing me it originated in Templeton, IA, less than two hours from where I grew up.  Therefore when my mom and I were planning to wander over for wine tasting and lunch in Carroll, IA at Santa Maria Vineyard and Winery we decided we HAD to stop at the Templeton Distillery beforehand (side note: the wine was OK- if you enjoy a very fruity and sweet wine, this place is for you.  If not, I would suggest the Chardonnay and Sparkling wine options.  Those were my favorites.   Their salads and outdoor seating area were the best part of lunch- DELICIOUS).  We arrived at Templeton just in time to catch the final tour of the day, getting to know some of the exciting history behind Templeton Rye.

 “When Prohibition outlawed the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages in 1920, many enterprising residents of a small town in Iowa chose to become outlaws- producing a high-caliber and much sought-after whiskey known as Templeton Rye, or “The Good Stuff” to those in the know.  Alphonse Kerkhoff was one of those Templeton outlaws.

Over the course of its storied history, Templeton Rye became Al Capone’s whiskey of choice, quickly finding its way to the center of his bootlegging empire.  Legend suggests that a few bottles even found their way inside the walls of Alcatraz to the prisoner of AZ-85. …”

-Templeton Rye Spirits, LLC

As the tour ended we got to label a few bottles ourselves before they were sent out to new lucky owners before moving on to a tasting.  I couldn’t have been happier.  It’s good to note Templeton Rye is not sold on site.

We went on to wine tasting and lunch, followed by wandering around Carroll’s downtown.  We stopped into an adorable boutique, We the Dreamerz.  The entire store was filled with pieces I loved.  I bought myself a couple belated birthday presents (I’m certain I deserved them) and I’ll be sure to point them out in later blog photos!

Des Moines, a surprise layover and surprisingly good time

Iowa was simply meant to be state number two because the next day I went back to work and was called for a trip to Des Moines, IA.  It was an awesome Friday night-Saturday afternoon layover.  This was my first work trip to Des Moines and I refuse to believe it was only a coincidence 🙂  I asked Facebook what I should do in Iowa and I had an overwhelming response suggesting Fong’s Pizza, Zombie Burger and the Saturday Farmer’s Market.

We got in late Friday evening, but I forced myself to change out of my uniform and head to Fong’s Pizza.  I ordered the crab rangoon pizza (which is what everyone suggested) and sat at the bar to wait.  I chatted with the people around me and listened to their suggestions of bars nearby that have live music.  Des Moines, evidently, has a great variety of music throughout the city.  The following day I saw bars with patios and stages and kind of wished I’d taken up their offers to show me around.  Next time, Des Moines, next time.  Just before my pizza arrived, there was a nice (although intoxicated) gentleman offering to buy a round of shots.  Who was I to say no?  He bought us kamikazees and the bartender asked me if I wanted them with or without helmets.  OF COURSE I said yes to the helmet and I suggest you do as well.  Then took my pizza to go and scooted back to my hotel so I could curl up and devour my pizza in solitude from the comfort of bed.  I must say while the crab rangoon pizza was good,  I prefer pizza to taste like pizza (if that makes sense).  I guess I am a pizza traditionalist.  I am looking forward to returning for some of their others menu options.  I just want to try them all, to be honest.  Their crust was thin and delicious and with all the different choices I know I’d find something I love.

Saturday morning I headed to the farmer’s market which was located in the same area as Fong’s.  While I’d been told it was large I didn’t realize how large, expanding multiple blocks and down side streets.  I couldn’t buy any fresh fruits, veggies or flowers like I normally would, so I browsed mostly at the jewelry stands, live music and artwork.  This particular Saturday a craft beer festival was beginning as soon as the farmer’s market ended as well.  I was bummed to miss it.

I picked up an adorable knit coozie (I am collecting a coozie a state) from one stand and a beautiful citrine necklace on a long vintage chain from Gemstones Jewelry.  I originally purchased simply because I thought it was beautiful but as I was waiting for Zombie Burger to open later that day (I arrived 15 minutes before 11:00 which was perfect.  I ended up being third in line) I did a little research about what citrine stands for, is used for and it was wild how connected I felt to this specific crystal.  If you have any interest in learning more about the meaning of citrine and why it puts me at peace to wear, check out this site!

I was seated at the bar of Zombie Burger and started out with their Chocolate Cake Shake (yeah, a chocolate shake, with cake mix in it) and fried brussel sprouts.  They were appetizing enough I could have stopped there but it is called Zombie BURGER, so I felt like I HAD to order a burger.  I topped off my order with a Juan of the Dead.  It has a jalapeno and cheese croquette on top of the cheeseburger.  Protip I learned from my waiter: poke the croquette with your fork before you eat the burger. It was a cheesy taste explosion, I didn’t know what to do with myself.  I don’t even want to think about the number of calories I consumed in the 14 hours I was in Des Moines . . . so I’m not going to, but it had to be A LOT and I think it was worth it.  My mouth waters just thinking about the food.

While at ZB, I was lucky enough to meet a man who is living my dream.  He travels wherever he wants, whenever he wants, sometimes in his airstream, sometimes in his truck and always with his moped.  How cool is that?!  Learning someone is actually living the lifestyle I aspire to rededicated me to this current journey . . . and also reminded me to start investing in my retirement 🙂  I hope to run into The Man of Leisure again on my adventure and am SO looking forward to all the other people I will meet along the way.  Stranger’s stories and different lifestyles have been some of the most interesting parts of my travels thus far.

I can’t wait to keep this going and I am going to remember to get the posts written in a more timely manner!  Next up is Massachusetts, South Dakota, North Dakota and Nevada.  Send all your suggestions!  It’s other people’s ideas that are making my trips so memorable and I appreciate all your insight!