Sunday, July 21, 2013

Iowa, Illinois, & Wisconsin, United States

And Flat Kelly is back again! Unfortunately I had some issues with the website when I originally tried to post this, but FK had a lovely time with Sheena gallivanting around the Midwest. Read below for their adventures together....

Flat Kelly arrived in Iowa, safe and sound, on June 11th. Sadly, she came during a time when we did not have a lot going on so we took her to our local favorites and a few touristy places in the area. First, we settled her into her guest house and let her get some rest before teaching her about farm life.

Um, FK is obviously living the sweet life

The following morning was one of the few that wasn't rainy so we took her outside and shower her our yard...


cornfields... 


and even let her drive a tractor, which was a terrifying experience for everyone involved. 

Hide yo' children! Hide yo' wife! That is seriously terrifying. FK can't even see over the steering wheel. 

Sadly, I neglected to get a picture of her with any of the pigs and other farm animals so, instead, enjoy a picture of Flat Kelly during a "Stache-ion Show"). 

Moose-stache!

We ran errands...


and took her to the library where she put on a play with Anna and Lamb Chops. Fun times were had by all. 

Spending time with Monster #1 and Lamb Chops is a great day in my book!

In an attempt to get Flat Kelly some culture, we drove her to Galena, Illinois and took her to the home of our 18th President, Ulysses S. Grant. 


And she posed with the former first lady. 


On the way home we made a quick stop at the mall in Dubuque where she rode on a school bus with Charlie. 

FK was not impressed with Monster #2's driving abilities... 

And then on we went to Dyersville, Iowa where they filmed The Field of Dreams. 



People come from all over the world to visit and now Flat Kelly has made her mark here too. 

Real Kelly will have to find FK's signature some day!

No trip to Iowa would be complete without a trip to some of Kelly's favorite places like Independence, Iowa. 

What up, Indy? Glad to see you're not flooded this year. 

Oh, Pizza Ranch. How I don't miss thee. 

You tried to trick me into thinking this was a writer's retreat, didn't you?!

We took her to Cedar Rapids to one of Kelly's favorite stores where we were briefly separated, but it wasn't that hard to figure out where she would be hiding...


Of course! Where else would she have been? 

Also in Cedar Rapids, we took her to The Lumberyard 2 (where real men go to get wood). 

My milkshake brings all the boys to the yard, and they're like it's better than yours...

Damn right, it's better than yours I could teach you, but I'd have to charge... yeah, no. I can't do this. Way to be skeevy, Lumberyard. 

And then back to Manchester where we stopped at my favorite bar, Beavers, and had a few drinks. That is a seriously awful picture of me but the drinks were delicious :) 

Pffft, this is not an awful picture. We were just getting our drink on! 


On her last day here, we took her to McGregor and Marquette, Iowa where we visited Pikes Peak...


The Lady Luck riverboat casino where we lost $20...


and what trip to Iowa would be complete without a picture next to a giant pink elephant? 

No trip would be complete without it! 

Since we were so close, we crossed the border with her and took a picture in Prairie Du Chien, Wisconsin before heading back home. 

FK is not impressed. Really, Wisconsin, all you have going for you is your cheese curds. 

Flat Kelly's final night ended with a bang when she invited some of her new friends over and raided the liquor cabinet. 

Goodness FK! I hope that you at least helped pick up after yourself, you little heathen you. 

Things got a little out of hand and Flat Kelly was a bit hung over the next morning, so I took her out for coffee before I sent her on to Lindsay. UNFORTUNATELY my picture didn't turn out so you're just going to have to take my word for it ;) 

I have received confirmation that FK did make it over to the East Coast with Lindsay. She had a most excellent time with Sheena in her old stomping grounds, however, so thanks for showing her such a great time! Additionally, we are *thisclose* to meeting our goal of 25 cities! Sheena has brought the stats up to...

24 cities
5 states (Vermont, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin)
4 countries (United Kingdom, Netherlands, Canada, and the US)

And the year is only half over! Thanks everyone :) I've said it once and I'll say it again... Flat Kelly is one of the best ideas I've had in a very long time!