Sometimes the best things in life are right under our noses. Such is the case with the latest Iowa Roadie adventure that takes us only a few miles down the road to Bradford, Iowa…home of the Stumble Inn. Now if you follow the Iowa Roadie at all, you’ve likely seen the pictures I’ve posted of the food here before. Specifically their “crispy pig”…a monster of a breaded tenderloin that was recently honored as the second best tenderloin in Iowa by the state’s Pork Producers. But behind every good sandwich and order of cheeseballs is a good cook. And in this case, that cook is named Johnny. Earlier this fall, Johnny was hospitalized for a week with septic pneumonia. Because of his illness, he missed weeks of work and acquired thousands of dollars in medical bills. To show support for their beloved chef, The Stumble Inn recently hosted a benefit for…
The movie “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” is a modern holiday classic depicting Clark Griswald’s ambition to host a “fun, old-fashioned family Christmas.” The film has developed almost a cult following because who can’t relate to family dysfunction? We may not have a Cousin Eddie emptying his RV septic tank in our front yard, an Uncle Lewis setting himself on fire with his cigar or even an Aunt Bethany reciting the Pledge of Allegiance as the meal’s blessing. (OK, so maybe some of us DO have an Aunt Bethany.) “A Christmas Vacation” reaffirms that regardless of its quirkiness, a family accepts and loves its members unconditionally. And that is exactly how the Iowa Roadie felt at its latest stop…The River Bar in Dows. My husband and I visited the River Bar on a Friday night, and proceeded to fill the last two bar stools at the end of the counter. In…
I recently came up with the crazy idea to start a blog about quirky little spots across Iowa. My goal is to travel across the state, immersing myself in all things bacon while paying homage to our great (albeit) under appreciated state. However my travels were hindered this week by “The Winter That Would Not Die” and helping at a post prom party. In retrospect, I am not sure which antagonist was more painful. Regardless, the show (or blog, in this case) must go on, provoking me to go all Julia Andrews and cite a few (or at least one) of “my favorite things” about my hometown of Hampton. I also thought it important that after last week, I showcase a destination that does not involve alcohol. So this week’s stop is a cute little boutique operated by three gals that put the American Pickers to shame. First and Second…