Day 1
It was a happy day as enthusiastic quilters headed to Des Moines, Iowa for the Third Annual International Quilt Festival. En-route to our first quilt shop/stop of the day our ladies were given the opportunity to create and design lovely tiara's which provided an adornment of beauty, but also served as their "meal ticket". What a surprise to find our host shop clerks in Algona, Iowa also adorned in tiara's as they welcomed us. We hopped and shopped our way to Des Moines anticipating the dawn of tomorrow and a "shop till you drop" opportunity at the Quilt Festival. Until tomorrow.....Tour Director Patty Cole
Day 2...True to our service motto "Travel with Southwest and Travel with the Best" you can see Driver Dale took pride in delivering our "quilter's" to The Iowa Event Center for the day. After a full day of attending the quilt festival a mystery outing took us to historic Valley Junction's Quilt Walk. No trip for quilters would be complete without the afterglow of "show 'n tell" that we enjoyed back at the hotel before retiring for the night. Until tomorrow which promises another day of doing what quilter's like best.....piecing things together....Tour Director Patty Cole!
Day 3
Today was a day for multiple opportunities as we attended the Quilt Festival and added a supplement side trip to our day. When the words "warehouse sale" were uttered by the escort in describing events that would happen on our side trip -- the gasps and awes from the quilters on board caused the coach to sprout wings and we flew through the air en-route to Winterset, Iowa. We couldn't get to Winterset and "Fons and Porter" fast enough. Besides fabric and quilts...we enjoyed viewing John Wayne's birthplace, a covered bridge and discussion on "Bridges of Madison County" while in Winterset. For some reason our day was full of merriment and gaiety, not to mention the "bow tie" that was presented to our driver in helping him to assimilate with us quilters and our "bowties, "fat quarters" and pieces of fabric! Until tomorrow....Tour Director Patty Cole
Day 4
Even though we bid farewell to the Quilt Show in Des Moines we had the opportunity to step into a "Gingerbread House" this day....full of fabric and other collectibles. While passing through West Bend, Iowa we enjoyed the Grotto of the Redemption. The work of Father Dobberstein reminded us of dedication and perseverance in following dreams and commitments. "Chatter" abounded as we collectively considered our options for another trip together before final goodbyes were said! Meeting new friends, stocking up on our "stashes" and challenged with new quilting ideas became the memories of our time apart! It "seams" the "pieces" makers will meet again.....Tour Director Patty Cole!
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