2018 09 10 - 2018 09 15 Amana Colonies, Indian Creek Campground and Mark Twain Birthplace.

Amana Colonies, Iowa - 10 Sep 2018

Having broken away from the Lutheran Church in Germany during the 1700's, the gift of inspiration or prophecy, was the basis for the religious group known as the Community of True Inspiration. Persecution and economic depression in Germany forced the community to seek a new home in America, settling first near Buffalo, NY in the 1840s. When more farmland was needed for the growing community, the Inspirationists arrived in Iowa in 1855 and established 6 villages totaling 26,000 acres. The seventh village was added in 1861. Housing, medical care, meals, all household necessities and childhood schooling was provided in a communal setting. Men and women were assigned jobs by their village council. Farming, wool production and calico, clock making, brewing, basket weaving and broom making, ironworks, smokehouse, bakery, ice house, dairy, orchards, vineyards, gardens and leather crafts all contributed to the community. All villagers attended worship 11 times per week. Communal kitchens operated by the women provided 3 daily meals and 2 snacks. In 1932, amid the Great Depression, Amana set aside its communal way of life.

My high-school friend, Donna and her husband, Bill arrived yesterday. We had side-by-side sites which gave us a really nice side yard for hanging out. Dakota climbed into Bill's lap to get a better vantage point to watch the chipmunks running around and chasing each other. She could hardly keep track of them but was distracted when Bob said there was a "SQUIRREL".  We spent the day just enjoying the wonderful weather for sitting outside. An early dinner at the Ox Yoke Inn, a German-American restaurant, serving "family style" since 1940, including homemade pies.

Tuesday, 11 Sep 2018

We found the General Store in operation since 1858 which features gifts, specialty foods, cookbooks and included an International Christmas store. 

There are a number of buildings which are original to the establishment of the villages including the Chocolate Haus, the Meat Shop & Smokehouse (since 1855) and the Ronneburg Restaurant which was originally a communal kitchen. 

Wednesday, Bob and the dogs took an early morning walk around Lily Lake, north of our RV Campground which has over 400 sites but at this time of year is less than 25% filled.

Thursday, 13 Sep 2018

Our first stop today was the Amana Furniture & Clock Shop, the original handcrafters' shop in traditional and custom designs. The workshop even had a viewing gallery. Dozens of tall clocks and rocking chairs (traditional and glider). Just down the road is the Amana Woolen Mill, Iowa's only operating woolen mill and famous for wool and cotton blankets.

Outside the village of Amana at Homestead, we stopped at AJ's Copper Garden, a workshop and gallery of handmade copper, brass and stainless steel garden sculptures and ornaments. Lastly, we had to stop by Hilton's Custom Furniture and Home of the Iowa Rocker made from native Iowa hardwoods which have been cut down within a 100 mile radius of the shop by the owner, Rance Hilton. He also steam bends his own wood on jigs and patterns of his own design. The Iowa Rocker is a handmade glide rocker.

Thu 9/13 We weren't the only Montana RVs . We were surprised to see eight others pull in. I think some of them may be heading for Elkhart, Indiana where Keystone is headquartered for the Fall Rally (a gathering of Owners for seminars, friendship, storytelling, crafts, etc). But look at those skies. Every day was perfect for sitting outside between our rigs in the shade of our awnings. Cool afternoons, gentle breezes and energetic chipmunks running around. 

Friday, 14 Sep 2018 - Our drive to Mark Twain State Park included a lunch stop where we enjoyed a couple chocolate delights we had purchased at the Amana Chocolate Haus. 

Indian Campgrounds, Perry Missouri - 14 Sep 2018

On the Mark Twin Lake near the Clarence Cannon Dam the Army Corps of Engineers created an 18,600 acre lake with 285 miles of shoreline at a depth of 29 feet. The dam provides hydroelectric power, flood risk management, recreation and fish and wildlife conservation. 

Saturday, Florida, Missouri - 15 Sep 2018

This field is the location of Samuel Langhorne Clemens' birthplace. His pen name, Mark Twain (meaning two fathoms) came from his years working on the Mississippi riverboats and indicates a depth of safe water (12 feet) for passage.

This "cabin" has been assembled from several local cabins from the same period but not the original. 

The Memorial Shrine houses many artifacts from the life of Mark Twain.

This bronze bust was originally on top of the pillar pictured above. 

This is the original two room cabin where he was born, two months premature in 1835. The furnishings are donated, period pieces but none were actually owned by the family. 

This is one of the two rooms in the cabin. When Clemens was born two months premature, there were no clothes nor a cradle for him and he was not expected to live. 

Clemens did spend 18 months learning to pilot a barge and getting his pilot's license. The Alonzo Child was a large side-wheel river boat built in 1857 and operated out of St. Louis plying the Mississippi River. She was known to have been in the service of both the Confederacy and Union during the Civil War.  

Part of the man-made lake created by the Army Corps of Engineers dam. 

Side view of the Mark Twain Historic Shrine. Besides the cabin, it includes several of Twain's first editions, a manuscript of The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and furnishings from his Connecticut home.