Over the past eighteen months, I’ve driven thousands of miles on the backroads of Iowa, visiting 900 communities and taking over 12,000 photographs. While I’ll continue to use this blog to highlight my favorite destinations in and around the state, you’ll find much more regular updates at the new Photo of the Day blog.

Each weekday, I’ll post a photo from my collection along with a short paragraph or two to provide some context: historical details regarding the building or community, architectural tidbits, or the photo’s relation to current events in the state. In addition to our new photo blog, you can stay connected to Iowa Backroads by liking us on Facebook or following us on Twitter.

The city of Newton, Iowa, will always be linked to the Maytag brand. The famous appliance manufacturer was founded in Newton in the late 1800s and operated for well over a century before closing its doors in October 2007. Before being purchased by Whirlpool Corporation, Maytag’s Newton headquarters and factory had over 3,000 employees, or the equivalent of one-fifth of Newton’s population.

While the city is still working to create jobs to offset the losses created by the appliance manufacturer, another local Maytag brand is running strong.  Located just outside the city limits, it’s the Maytag Dairy Farms, which is known across America for its famous blue cheese. Their blue cheese process dates to 1941 and still involves cave aging and formation of each cheese wheel by hand.

While the cheese itself can be found at many supermarkets around the nation, the company headquarters is well worth a visit, especially if you’re in the Newton area.  The exterior of the headquarters building is modern and nondescript, but the cheese-filled coolers inside the lobby easily offset any lack of atmosphere.

In addition to the popular Maytag Blue cheese, sold in sizes ranging from one ounce to four pounds, you’ll find locally-produced Maytag White Cheddar, Brick, Edam, Baby Swiss, Smoked Swiss and Aged Swiss cheeses available to sample and purchase.  If you’re curious about the taste of a specific cheese, don’t be afraid to ask for samples; the staff is extraordinarily accommodating.

While you’re perusing the cheese selections, check out the monitor which shows stock footage of the cheese production process.  You can glance out the window to the farm where the cheese is produced.  If you have the time, ask about the 12-minute video, which offers a more in-depth look at the dairy’s cheese production process.

Maytag Dairy Farms is open Monday through Friday from 800 to 5:00 and Saturday from 9:00 to 1:00.  If you’re traveling from out of town, don’t forget to pack a cooler to store your purchase.

Maytag Dairy Farms
2282 East 8th Street North
Newton, Iowa 50208
(641) 792-1133
Official Website

If you’re still looking for a great family road trip this summer, mark your calendars for the Turner County Fair, held each August in Parker, South Dakota.  Combine free admission with fun exhibits, great food and a solid set of carnival rides, and you have the winning formula that makes for one of the best county fairs in the Midwest.

Arrive at the fair around noon, and head straight for the picnic grounds for lunch.  You’ll find a large aluminum building that houses the primary food vendors at the fair.  The pork sandwiches from the state’s Pork Producers are solid, but the Indian tacos sold at the Freeman Academy stand might be the best choice.  All food is reasonably priced, and you can even expect to find a bottle of pop for $1.50 or less.  After lunch, don’t miss the homemade ice cream from the Salem Mennonite Youth.

Spend the afternoon perusing the craft booths, take the kids through through Old McDonald’s petting zoo — and grab pics with the goats, bunnies and even camels.  There’s a small village on the south side of the fair with a general store selling root beer, a shop displaying antique clothing, a barn filled with old machinery, and an old church site.  If you have some extra time, buy a few tickets and have some fun at the carnival portion of the fair.

Finally, no trip to the Turner County Fair is complete without trying the chislic, grilled lamb kabobs topped with a good bit of seasoning salt.  These tasty treats make your day at the fair complete, and certainly will hit the spot if you’re when you’re getting hungry for dinner.  The chislic stand is located a few yards north of the food court building in a standalone area; it opens daily during the fair at 4:00 p.m.

The 2010 Turner County Fair runs August 16 to August 19; for full details, check out the fair website.

Few things are more synonymous with summer than baseball, and Iowans are fortunate to have many opportunities to enjoy professional baseball throughout the season all across the state.  The most well-known Minor League team in the state is the Iowa Cubs, the Des Moines-based Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs.  Nearby Omaha is home to another Triple-A team, the Royals, and lower-level Single-A baseball teams play in Davenport, Cedar Rapids, Clinton and Burlington.

Burlington is home to the Burlington Bees, the Single-A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.  Located in the southeastern corner of the state, Burlington is the smallest town in the state with a professional team, and Community Field, where the Bees play, is the smallest stadium in the entire Minor League Baseball system.  Renovated in 2005, there are advantages to the small size: tickets are cheap, seats are close to the action, restroom lines are short, and you won’t break the bank buying food from the concession stand.

If you can attend a game on a weeknight, regular promotions make a trip to the ballpark even cheaper.  On Mondays, general admission tickets are two dollars, along with hot dogs, popcorn and soda for only a buck.  Pick up the local paper on Tuesday for two-for-one tickets, kids eat free Wednesdays, and cheap drinks are available each Thursday.  If there isn’t a special ticket promotion, I’d recommend spending a bit extra for box seats.  They’re closer to the action and significantly more comfortable than the general admission bleacher alternative.

The Bees play baseball from April to September.

Burlington Bees
Community Field
2712 Mount Pleasant Street
Burlington, Iowa 52601
(319) 754-5705
Official Website

Once part of the Iowa-based Fridley Theatres chain, the one-screen Capri Theatre in New Sharon, Iowa, is now operated by a non-profit community organization.  Since acquiring the theatre, the group has managed to keep prices low while improving the moviegoer’s experience.  A few years ago, a fundraiser was held to install plush new cushioned seats, while just last year a grant allowed the purchase of a new projector.

The theatre shows a first-run movie each weekend, with two shows nightly on Fridays and Saturdays, and a single matinee show each Sunday.  Tickets are a mere $3; we purchased two tickets, popcorn and a large drink for just over $10, or roughly a third what we spent at a big-city megaplex cinema the week before.

Beyond the pleasant atmosphere and cheap prices, you’ll find a pleasant friendly staff on hand to disperse the tickets and concessions.  All in all, the Capri Theatre is one of the best places in the state to see a movie. For information on what’s currently playing or coming soon, check out the theatre’s Facebook group or call (641) 637-4055.

Capri Theatre
107 East Market Street
New Sharon, IA 50207
(641) 637-4055

The Suburban Restaurant, located near Gilbert, Iowa, has been locally-owned and operated for for nearly fifty years.  With a menu that features a good variety of steaks, sandwiches, and salads, the Suburban makes for a nice dinner destination if you’re in the Ames metro area or traveling along the nearby Interstate 35.

I’d highly recommend the tender bacon-wrapped filet, which arrived nicely cooked and costs several dollars less than most area restaurants.  The ham steak also made for a great main course, while generously-sized hand-breaded tenderloin was one of the best we’ve tasted since starting this blog three years ago.  Entrees include two sides, plus homemade bread and butter, while sandwiches, all $8 or less, come with a single side.

When you’re finished with your meal, be sure to check out the white board of desserts: slices of fruit pies, cream pies, and three-layer cakes are typically available and worth trying.  If you’re full, ask for your dessert to go; the wait staff will happily box it up.

The Suburban Restaurant can be found six miles north of Ames (just outside of Gilbert) at the intersection of U.S. Highway 69 and County Road E-23.  You may want to pull out an Iowa map or your GPS before heading out if you’re traveling on I-35, as there’s not a direct exit.  They’re open Tuesday through Friday for lunch and Tuesday through Saturday for dinner; reservations are recommended on Friday and Saturday nights.

Suburban Restaurant
17029 U.S. 69
Highway 69 and County Road E-23
Ames, Iowa 50010
(515) 232-3135

Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, the community of Le Claire is home to one of the finest downtown districts in Eastern Iowa.  You can easily spend a few hours in the community perusing the gift and antique shops, many of which are located in historic buildings and homes dating to the late 1800s.  Families may enjoy exploring the Buffalo Bill Museum, which includes a tour of the Lone Boat Steamer, the only remaining wooden hull steamboat in the United States.

Whether you’re planning on spending an hour in Le Claire or just passing through, one place you won’t want to miss is Kernel Cody’s Popcorn Shop.  Open every daily except Monday, this unique locally-owned shop produces over twenty varieties of popcorn.  My favorites include Sour Cream and Chives, a combination of flavors usually reserved for chips, and Caramel Apple, which features superb caramel corn mixed with artificially-flavored (but ridiculously tasty) fruity, green apple popcorn.

The most popular varieties are available for sampling at the front of the store, while all flavors can be purchased in large resealable plastic bags or in your choice of traditional popcorn tins.  You can also pick up a traditional paper bag of fresh-popped “regular” popcorn or browse their selection of bulk candy, chocolates and soda.

Note: If you’re still hungry following your stop at Kernel Cody’s, Le Claire is home to a number of good, local dining options.

Kernel Cody’s Popcorn Shop
125 N. Cody Road
Le Claire, Iowa 52753
Website

If you’re looking for a quick meal or late-night snack, there are few better options than a locally-owned drive-in restaurant.  While not as prominent as they once were, you can still find some of these gems in the Midwest, including Willert’s Tastee Treet Drive-In in Yankton, South Dakota.  Located just outside the city’s downtown district, it’s a community staple that’s been in business for over 60 years.

The signature item on their small menu is the Tastee beef sandwich: a seasoned loose-meat hamburger sandwich topped with your choice of condiments.  If you’re eating at Tastee Treet for the first time, there’s no better deal than the special, which features a Tastee beef sandwich, order of French fries, and a malt, shake or root beer float for only five dollars.

The menu also includes a handful of sandwiches, hot dogs, standard fried sides, ice cream creations and beverages.  Their hand-breaded corn dog is also worth trying, especially if you stop by Tastee Treet on Thursdays, when it’s specially priced at a dollar.  The bottom line, though, is that you won’t go wrong any day of the week you stop at Tastee Treet; it’s open year-round and well worth a stop if you’re in the area.

Tastee Treat
413 West 4th Street
Yankton, SD 57078
(605) 665-7512

With summer just around the corner, now’s the time to take a road trip to Story City, Iowa, a pleasant community just off Interstate 35, ten miles north of Ames.  On the east end of the city limits, you’ll find two sites worth visiting – a Swinging Bridge dating to 1936 and an antique carousel from 1913.

The bridge was one of a handful built across the nation as part of the Works Project Administration.  It isn’t as fun to walk across as the bridge in Columbus Junction, but it is in much better surroundings and is worth a longer stop.  Budget some time for photos or to roll up your jeans and walk across the rocks on the stream’s shore.  Frisbee golf fans will appreciate the nine-hole course adjacent to the bridge.

The carousel across the street dates back even further, though it wasn’t permanently placed in Story City until 1938, after traveling around the state for the past twenty years.  The carousel was in operation for forty years before going into temporary closure due to wear and tear.  Luckily, the carousel was resurrected in the early 1980s and still looks spectacular today.  While you’re waiting to board the carousel, take a look at the historic photos and information within the carousel or grab a bag of fresh-popped popcorn.

After stopping at the carousel, if you’re looking for a bite to eat, skip the fast food chains by the Interstate and head downtown to Alley Pizza.  It’s open seven days a week for dinner and weekdays for lunch.  The pizza’s great, but finding a place to eat it can be a challenge, as they mostly focus on delivery and carry-out orders.  A single table is available if you opt to dine inside.  On a pleasant day, grab the pizza and a Pepsi to go, and enjoy your meal in the park.

If you’re entering Story City from the Interstate, the swinging bridge and park is on the left while the carousel is on the right.  Although neither site was overly crowded when we visit, you may wish to glance at each parking lot to decide which spot to hit first.  The swinging bridge is accessible year-round, while the Carousel is open weekends in May and September and daily from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Last weekend, I spent a few days in Yankton, South Dakota, a relatively small but growing and progressive city along the Missouri River in the southeastern part of the state.  Any trip to Yankton requires a stop at my favorite area lunch destination, Muggsy’s Sub Gallery.  Muggsy’s is a rare locally-owned sandwich shop that’s been a staple in the community for over 20 years.

You can’t go wrong with anything on Muggsy’s menu, but there are a few favorites you may want to consider if it’s your first visit.  Made with real crab and served on a delicious homemade sub roll, the seafood sub bests any sub produced by the chain restaurants — order it with swiss cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and salt and pepper.  Their hot cheese-steak sub is likely their most popular sub and has the distinction of being named one of the nation’s top sandwiches by Maxim magazine.

Beyond subs, you’ll find a few fried options, including chicken strips, fish and shrimp.  On Mondays and Thursdays, you can order their tasty lasagna, made with five cheeses and served with from-scratch meatballs and breadsticks.

If you’re in a hurry, you can call ahead with your order, though I’d recommend eating in.  You’ll likely enjoy a pleasant conversation with the owners, who are often making the food behind the counter, and it’s fun to peruse the memorabilia and photos throughout the restaurant.   As you enter Muggsy’s, be sure to check out the “Door-of-Fame” to read the names of celebrities and politicians who have visited Muggy’s, like NBC News Anchor Tom Brokaw and South Dakota senators Tim Johnson and John Thune.

Muggy’s is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 to 3:30.

Muggsy’s Sub Gallery
821 Broadway Avenue
Yankton, South Dakota 57078
(605) 665-2241