We want to thank the Travel Iowa and Catch Des Moines for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Learning The Lingo

Our first step, after picking a destination, is to begin determining an itinerary. This is done with an attempt to balance our stops with lots of variety. We know that our readers cover a huge variety of demographics, so we always try to pick plenty of stops for them to choose from when planning their own get-away. One of the first things we look for are educational opportunities. We truly believe that travel is a form of continued education, and opens up plenty of chances to learn about the culture and history of our destinations. A stop at the State Historical Museum of Iowa helped pave our way to better understand how Des Moines grew to its current status. Here we learned not just about the city we were getting ready to explore, but also the state in general. This makes a great first stop for your Des Moines vacation. (Read more about the Historical Museum here.)

While I was doing the planning, I stumbled upon a lesser known museum. Inside the downtown Wells Fargo location there resides one of about a dozen Wells Fargo Museums. These small scale exhibits are chocked full of hands on displays designed to highlight the role that Iowa played in connecting an expanding nation. What surprised us the most was just how many interactive exhibits this place has assembled. It’s a great stop for families, since there are lots of activities that can be enjoyed by kids of all ages. (Even my age!) (Read more about the Wells Fargo Museum here.)

Speaking of family friendly sites, how about stopping in the Science Center of Iowa. Here we found another place that is packed with all age accessible displays. While the majority of the space is designed to educate about various scientific principles, there is a gallery filled with more local appeal. The “What On Earth?” exhibit is a good place to learn about some of the native species that you may encounter during your visit to Des Moines or Iowa in general.  (Read more about the Science Center here.)

East Village Appeal

The layout of the downtown region in Des Moines is designed to be user friendly. The Des Moines River cuts a swath through the heart of the downtown and becomes a centerpiece for the design of the area. On the east side of the river, the neighborhood is called the East Village. This area is filled with a mix of commercial and residential, as well as holding the capitol building. We had the pleasure of meandering through the shops on a couple of occasions. Lots of boutiques are found in and around the area, and we even located one that we recognized form Kansas City. (RayGun has a store in the CrossRoads District of KCMO.)

Close-In Comfort

We were fortunate to be lodged right in the heart of the region we were exploring. The Staybridge Suites, in the East Village, made a perfect home base for us. The room was fantastic with lots of plugins for all of our electronics. We even got the chance to try out their pool and hot tub one evening. These were welcomed after a day of walking throughout the downtown. They have a breakfast buffet every morning, but we had already made plans to explore some of the local eateries. In talking with other hotel guests, the food was described as delicious. With a dedicated covered parking lot and key card access, this place worked well for our busy schedule.

Getting Outdoors

Downtown Des Moines is filled with interesting outdoor spaces to explore. From the capital hill over to the Gateway Park, you can find unique sights that are specific to this area. Each stop has its own flavor and at any time you could find a crowd. During our evening we would stroll around admiring the murals we found tucked away on the side of various businesses. (Great for selfies!) Of course, artwork is limited to this style, and a visit to the Pappajohn Sculpture Park offers tons of potential picture possibilities. Besides, it is nice to get out into the green spaces that Des Moines has reserved for its residents and visitors. (Read more about the outdoor spaces here.)

Another good spot to get in touch with nature is the Des Moines Botanical Gardens. Here we were in awe of the amazing number of species that can survive the wild weather of the Midwest. We even found a couple that we are wanting to add to our own landscape. Just down the road we visited the Robert Ray Asian Garden that holds some interesting foliage and sculptures. Its riverside location makes for a great spot to reflect and view the city skyline. (Read more about the gardens here.)

With so much to see and do in downtown Des Mines, Iowa you may want to plan a couple extra days for exploring. After all, we only had enough time to see the center city section. There are still tons of sights to be discovered on your own vacation to the Iowa capital. What are some of the places you think we should add to our next visit? Mention them in the comments section below and we will add them to our list. Thanks!

The post 3 Amazing Days In Downtown Des Moines, Iowa appeared first on Our Changing Life.

Getting A Good Start

One of the best ways we have found to uncover the local favorites is to ask. We will join a Facebook group that is specific to the food lovers of the particular destination. From them we can glean some excellent suggestions, as well as interesting background information. While we wish we could visit every single place they suggest, in the end we must narrow the field to the ones that fit our itinerary best. The morning we spent at the downtown Farmers Market allowed us a chance to pop into Java Joe’s for a cup of morning wake-me-up. This local chain has an eclectic retro vibe that is perfect for its Court Avenue District location. With our caffeine covered, it was time for more exploring. Java Joe’s does offer some breakfast bites as well, but we decided to test out some of the items being sold at the market.

We were fortunate enough to have a second morning in Des Moines, which meant that we had the opportunity to visit St. Kilda. The idea of dining at an Australian style restaurant certainly piqued our interest. With an open, airy interior and some unique flavor combinations, this place certainly left us with delicious memories. 

Munching On Handhelds

Lunchtime for us is usually reserved for sandwiches of some style. During a busy day of exploring, it is important to refuel. We have found that this particular meal time is good for a protein boost, and a nice juicy burger really hits the spot. The Walnut is the brick & mortar child of a long loved food truck named The Food Spot Truck. Adding the non-moving destination to their portfolio has allowed them to increase the number of fans they can serve. We stopped by after a visit to the Pappajohn Sculpture Park and soon found out why they are so popular. Dishes like their Mushroom Swiss Burger and Mediterranean Chicken Pita offer plenty of flavor, while filling us up for more downtown time.

Do you ever get so hungry that you feel like you are running on empty? You know the times when you feel like a zombie just staggering through life. Well then, downtown Des Moines has the perfect dining destination for you. Stop in Zombie Burger for a frightening good time filled with good eats and interesting decor. Be sure to bring your camera, (Or phone camera) as you will certainly want to document this world changing event. (You can read more about Zombie Burger here.)

Selfie Spots

Since you have the camera handy, why not check out some of the local art that can be found in and around the east Village and other downtown areas in Des Moines. There are some nice murals, tucked away on the sides of buildings, just waiting to be discovered. It pays to get out of the car and do some exploring by foot.

Dining Around The World Without Leaving Downtown

The availability of so many cuisines makes downtown Des Moines a food lovers paradise. With dozens of choices, it would be easy to dine in the area every weekend all year long and not have to repeat locations. Some include interesting entertainment, like what we found at Olympic Flame Restaurant in the East Village. This Greek food eatery thrills customers with their flaming cheese, which has to be seen in person. (We have a short video of it in the linked article.) We also had the chance to be entertained by a local belly dancer who clearly enjoys interacting with the crowds.  (You can read more about Olympic Flame here.)

What could be better than sampling a different cuisine in a new destination? How about a restaurant that combines two cultures into one great space. Welcome to Fong’s Pizza. From the outside you expect to find a Chinese eatery and the feeling continues inside. Then the menu comes out and you see it is filled with pizza pies. But wait! These aren’t your standard everyday pizza toppings. Here’s where the Chinese meets the pizzeria with flavors like General Tso’s or the ever popular Crab Rangoon. Finish off your meal with a sweet treat of Raspberry Cheesecake Egg Rolls.

Now that brings up the subject of dessert. Everyone knows it’s the best part of the meal, and we try to always seek out a couple on each of our trips. After all, we don’t want to waste all of that walking we do. Just down the street from Fong’s, we came upon Royal Mile. This English style pub draws in plenty of people for a pint, but also has an interesting menu. Since we had already had plenty of main meals, our visit was specifically to test out their dessert menu. As you can see, it has some deliciously decadent dishes available. (You can read more about Fong’s Pizza & Royal Mile here.)

While the other desserts were scrumptious, for us nothing holds a candle to some sweet ice cream. This is especially true in the summertime. When planning our Des Moines weekend, we looked high and low for something unique to that city. When we stumbled upon Black Cat Ice Cream, we knew we had hit the motherlode. This small batch business makes their products with quality ingredients, which is apparent in the taste and creaminess. It was a perfect accent to the amazing foods we found in downtown Des Moines. (You can read more about Black Cat here.) Which of these places look most appealing to you? Let us hear from you in the comments section below. We love getting feedback.

The post 8 Delectable Downtown Des Moines Dining Destinations appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Travel Iowa and Catch Des Moines for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Monumental Sights

Since almost all of our time was spent in the East Village or downtown, we could usually count on having a view of the capitol building nearby. There were a few times that it was eclipsed by the skyscrapers that tower over the downtown. We picked a quiet Sunday morning to walk the grounds and check out the amazing sculptures and monuments. It was such a peaceful time that we were able to reflect on the reasons for each of the tributes. This area is definitely one you will want to visit during your next trip to Des Moines.

The view of the cityscape is amazing from the foot of the capital. We lingered for a while, taking in the beauty of the skyline. It may have been our last morning in the city, but we knew we would be taking plenty of memories home with us. Nearby, we watched a family exploring the area and using it as an opportunity to educate their children on the local history. It was nice to see this interaction and we hope it instilled in the kids the desire to explore the world around them.

Des Moines Farmer’s Market

Before our visit, I reached out to some Des Moines groups to seek their suggestions on sites for us to visit. One that we heard mentioned more than any was the Downtown Farmer’s Market. When they described it we saw words like; huge, massive, biggest, and immense. We were hoping these weren’t just braggadocios statements designed to draw us in. Once we arrived, we quickly realized that these may have not truly expressed the true size of the event. With around 300 vendors, this weekly attraction draws in around 25,000 shoppers every Saturday during the summer months.

The market covers nine city blocks with vendors selling just about everything under the sun. Wandering through the area is a photographers dream. Vivid colors grabbed our attention, drawing us into booths filled with all sorts of artistic creations. The morning sun played off the art glass, casting colorful shadows across tables. We felt like kids in a candy store and strained to see everything. It didn’t take long before we realized that we needed a plan, if we were to tackle this place in an orderly fashion.

Joining In

We decided that the best approach would be to focus our attention on one side of the street at a time, and work our way up and down the rows. It proved to be a solid plan and soon we were able to focus on one booth at a time. Periodically, we would come upon a musical performer that had captivated an audience. During our visit we saw a jazz band, made up of high school students, swaying the crowd in front of the Polk County Courthouse. This architectural masterpiece made a beautiful backdrop for their band. Further down the street a couple performed with some unique instruments. They even had a “musical petting zoo” of sorts, and invited kids and adults to join in. The atmosphere of the market was akin to a fair or carnival, and everyone seemed to be relishing in the fun.

With so many baubles to be seen, we came to the conclusion that there was no real way we could possibly take it all in. The morning passed with plenty of caffeine, colors, and conversations. We stopped in a few booths and talked with the vendors about the Farmers Market experience, as a whole. It was apparent that this weekly event is known throughout the region and draws sellers and shoppers from miles around. With so many interesting pieces for sale, we couldn’t help but spread some of our tourism dollars around.

Greening Up

We did notice that a majority of the booths focused on items that weren’t grown on a farm. Of course, there were some produce stands and plant growers peppered in the mix. We are guessing it was enough for those who came looking for these items. Periodically we would see someone pass us pulling a wagon laden down with the fixings for a great salad or items that would be added to their landscape. These booths added some nice green to the market.

Western Gateway Park

On Saturday afternoon we wandered the farthest distance from our hotel during our visit. Our goal was to explore the Pappajohn Sculpture Garden located in this green space. The entire park covers around 13 acres with about a third of it being dedicated to the 28 sculptures. Heading to the park from the west (opposite of our lodging) makes it appear as a gateway to the downtown area of Des Moines. While climbing on the sculptures is not allowed (common sense) there is plenty of lawn for a picnic.

We had made a stop at Black Cat Ice Cream before arriving, so our visit was purely for admiring the artwork. There is a nice variety to the pieces, since it comprises the work of 22 different artists. The park is open during daylight hours and is free to the public. A meandering walk leads around the grounds to allow visitors closer views at each of the pieces. 

Puzzling Pieces

As we made our way through the park, we tried to figure out what significance each of the pieces holds for the artist. Some are obviously playful expressions like the hare posing as The Thinker. Others seem to carry a more ominous undertone like the empty shroud. While the Des Moines Art Center does offer a tour of the sculpture garden, we chose to let our own imaginations fill in the blanks.

CelebrAsian

Our timing to visit Western Gateway Park could not have been better. That weekend was the Des Moines CelebrAsian event that celebrates the culture of the Orient. With over a dozen different Asian villages, there is tons to see, hear, eat, and do. Each of the villages displayed items that are common to their culture. Most sold some food products, so visitors had the opportunity to sample a variety of cuisines.

Much like the farmers market, this event offered lots of colors and textures, which make for plenty of lovely photos. Live music and entertainment took place on two separate stages. We watched a little of a Bollywood style dance exhibition, while resting in the shade of the tents set up nearby. The entire event had a relaxed pace, which was amplified by the hot summer day. On the smaller stage there were an assortment of martial arts demonstrations that were extremely popular with the crowd.

Fun For All Ages

As we explored the various villages, we noticed that almost all of them had items geared specifically for children. The CelebrAsian event is truly family friendly and even featured some children’s musical performances. We took a few minutes to watch the cosplay competition, before continuing our wandering. With hunger beginning to creep back in, we knew it was time to work our way toward another delicious Des Moines eatery.

Making New Friends

While we walked to our dinner location, we discussed how many interesting sights we had found in Des Moines. This city is filled with plenty to occupy a weekend or even longer. Our three days were certainly packed, and would make a four or five day itinerary for most travelers. With only about 10% of the city’s footprint covered, we know there are still loads of hidden gems just waiting to be discovered. Why not make your plans to visit Des Moines and check out some of these sights firsthand. You might just uncover something we missed, and we hope you would share it with all of us in the comments section below. Remember, Sharing is Caring!

The post 3 Outdoor Spaces Not To Be Missed In Des Moines, Iowa appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Des Moines Botanical Gardens,  Travel Iowa and Catch Des Moines for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Under The Dome

W started out by exploring the Conservatory and Indoor Gardens. Their 80 foot tall geodesic dome is perfectly suited for the tropical species that they maintain indoors. The warm, humid atmosphere well represents what one would find in the jungles of Central America. Here and there we spotted bursts of color from orchids or other blooming plants. With access to multiple overlooks, it was easy to get a better feel for the entire exhibit.

As we meandered along the hardscaped pathway, we took in all of the beauty that surrounded us. As we made our way across one of the small bridges, we caught sight of this most unusual sculpture. We guess it was only fitting to find such an over-sized garden tool when you consider the overall size of many of these jungle plants.

Selfie Time

A small waterfall gave us a reason to stop for a selfie. (We love waterfalls.) Of course, like many it takes multiple shots to get one we can both agree on. While this was taking place, we had a visitor pop out nearby. We are guessing he wanted his time in the limelight, so we were honored to be able to add him to our pictures. Afterwards, he scurried away back into the foliage.

Ideas Abound

After the Conservatory, we passed down a hallway that led to the Gardeners Show House. This area is designed to provide inspiration to budding gardeners. It serves as a showcase for projects that utilize common plants, and re-purpose everyday objects. Some of the seating options are reclaimed from old pallets, and would fit well in most garden areas. While this area is not large, it is certainly packed full of great ideas. Be sure to check it out when you visit the Des Moines Botanical Gardens.

Heading Outdoors

We had already found so many interesting things to see, and we hadn’t even stepped out into the main garden area. Through the double doors we passed, and immediately found ourselves in the Bonsai Collection. This series of diminutive trees have been trained for decades. The oldest example in the collection started out in 1865. Let that sink in. That is the time of the Civil War era, so over 150 years old. These miniature masterpieces are amazing to behold.

Moving past the bonsai, we entered the Water Garden section of the botanical gardens. This half-acre area offers still waters, which reflect the landscape around it. We made our way across the walkway, taking in the nearby city skyline. Here and there we would see the water lilies lying gracefully upon the surface of the pond. We were hoping to catch sight of one of our new friend’s distant relatives. Unfortunately, the other turtles were either hiding or had great camouflage.

Running Waters

Another waterfall caught our eye and we made our way toward it. Sitting at the base of the Hillside Garden, this waterfall offers an excellent spot for more selfies either in front of or even behind the falling waters. Be sure to take a few minutes to climb the hill for a better view of the entire garden facility. It is another spot to get a prime skyline view, as well.

Beauty in Form

As we mentioned earlier, the beauty of gardens doesn’t just lie in the colorful flowers. Much like a room in a house, the few artwork pieces are made richer by the background wall supporting them. The same holds true for a complete garden. While the bright blooms are stunning to behold, they are also fleeting. The textures and shades of greens, tans, browns, and reds brought in by foliage are the backbone of a beautiful garden. In the Conifer Garden, we were able to see a wide variety of species that winter well in our climate. We have always considered places like the Des Moines Botanical Gardens to be a perfect place to explore new potential varieties to add to our own landscape. How many of you do the same thing?

Bonus Garden

As we were making our way to the Des Moines Botanical Gardens, we passed a roadside garden that looked quite promising. After our main visit, we decided to stop by the Robert D. Ray Asian Garden for a closer look. This small urban park features a Chinese pavilion situated along the banks of the Des Moines River. It is a nice place for a short stroll or a chat in the shade of the pavilion.

Just beyond the pavilion the walkway leads into a small shaded sculpture garden. The day we visited was warming up quickly, but the gentle breezes through this tree shaded area was quite refreshing.

Great Views Available

The walk into the park is connected to a walking path that leads into the heart of the city. As we made our way up the small hillside, we found ourselves with this fabulous view of the downtown. It made the stop worth it alone. Of course, the beauty of the Asian gardens was the cherry on the top. Do you plan to add the Des Moines Botanical Gardens to your vacation plans? We would love to hear your thoughts.

The post Relaxed Beauty at Des Moines Botanical Gardens appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Travel Iowa and Catch Des Moines for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Deadly Decor

Zombie Burger actually ended up being the last meal we experienced during our visit to Des Moines, so we had plenty of time to anticipate it. During our stay, we did have the chance to discuss our itinerary with local residents, and many were anxious to hear our opinions of this spot. When we entered the restaurant, we immediately were intrigued by the unique decor. While the seating options are pretty standard, it is the added layer of semi-gruesome murals and props that make the place stand out. During your visit, you will want to take a stroll around the interior to spot all of the various artwork pieces they have on display. Be sure to say Hi! to the happy couple awaiting your arrival. (Top picture)

Monstrous Meals

We were seated in the bar area, so it gave us a good view of the dining room. All around us we watched plate after plate of delectable dishes being delivered. We scanned the menus, which are designed like a copy of a local newspaper. With around 30 burger options, it took us a bit to finally decide. A discussion with the bartender was helpful, as she pointed out some of her favorites. Crystal finally rested on the La Horde. This all beef burger is topped with caramelized onions, bacon, goat cheese, and mayo. She opted for the Sweet Potato Fries as her side dish. They are served with a tangy sauce that added a nice little kick.

When I reached out to Zombie Burger, I was informed that the most popular burger was The Walking Ched. I discovered that the bun is actually made of deep fried macaroni and cheese. This sounded like it would be a little difficult to hold, and I was really in the mood for a handheld sandwich. (The person beside us ordered it and had to eat it with a fork, so I was correct.) I still wanted something completely out of the ordinary, so I chose the Trailer Trash Zombie. This little monster comes with the same style patty, but is loaded with some unique toppings. American cheese, fried pickle, ranch dressing, cheese curds, and even some chicken fried bacon crown this burger. It was a delicious dish destined for undead distinction. (Okay, I’ll watch the alliterations.) The need for a side dish that could match the flipped out flavors of my sandwich was apparent. Scanning the menu, I located the Garlic Bacon & Blue Cheese Fries, which seemed like a perfect compliment to the ranch dressing. Sure enough, I couldn’t seem to get enough of this combination. Of course, I finally had to stop eating for fear of being able to walk, and possibly being mistaken for one of the undead hosts.

Serious Shakes

Prior to our visit, every conversation we had about Zombie Burger always included a description of one of their signature shakes. We certainly weren’t going to let this opportunity pass us by, so we decided to sample a couple of options. Once again, I was the one to show my creative flair by ordering the most unusual item I could find on the menu. The Zombie Unicorn is comprised of vanilla ice cream, marshmallow cream, and a serious dose of Fruity Pebbles. They gave me a straw, but let’s get real. It took a spoon to down this magical treat. Crystal went vanilla on me, well kind of. She ordered the Peanut Butter Banana, which is pretty self-explanatory. Although it was fairly plain looking, it had a delightful flavor. By the end of our visit, we were both a little wobbly from the high concentration of delectable dishes we consumed. We may not have been the walking dead, but we were certainly close to being a cadaverous couple. What do you think about a zombie themed dining experience? Would you be game?

The post Flavors To Wake The Dead At Zombie Burger appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank Wells Fargo for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

On A Mission

The main purpose of the museum is to highlight the role Iowa played in the early connection of travel across the nation. The country was expanding rapidly and communication was struggling to keep up. Lots of enterprises, like the Pony Express, sprang up to offer temporary relief of these problems. The railroad was building its intercontinental line, but in the meantime many travelers were resigned to travel by stagecoach. It was also a primary form of delivery for the mail and banking institutions. The Wells Fargo Museum has a number of displays that spell out the history of these changes, as well as offering a glimpse at artifacts from those days.

Recognizable Sight

Have you ever had one of those Aha moments where you suddenly connected the dots? This was the case for us when we saw the Wells Fargo wagon, which is a model of the one used in the movie The Music Man. Suddenly, we see how companies tie back into the everyday lives of those who came before us, and it gives us a connection to the past. It is only appropriate for us to see this particular device in Des Moines, since the original play was written by the Iowa native, Meredith Willson. We do have to wonder how many of the younger visitors miss this connection and move right past to the hands-on exhibits.

Playing Old School

We figured the Wells Fargo Museum would be filled with a grouping of static displays that told the chronological history of banking through the ages. The idea that there would be lots of interactive exhibits had not even crossed our minds. You can imagine our pleasant surprise when we discovered that there are lots of hands-on artifacts for little (and big) hands to hold. Visitors to the museum can explore old telephones, telegraphs, and bank punches. Each of these exhibits include educational information to help understand how the devices were used in the “good old days”.

They even have an area where you can get your own picture printed on money. I’m pretty sure that a bank note with my mug on it would certainly be worth at least five dollars, if not a couple more. This particular exhibit makes for a nice souvenir from your visit, and we are betting the kids will all want one.

Your Carriage Awaits

Traveling by stagecoach has been romanticized by Hollywood for quite sometime. The horse-drawn Concord stagecoaches are easily recognizable to most Americans. The suspension of the coaches were designed to take the constant abuse from the rough roads that they traveled. Leather straps were used to help absorb some of the jarring that would have come from the rough trails and create a swaying effect for the passengers. At the museum they have a display coach where visitors can recreate the feeling of stagecoach travel. Nearby you can see a full-size stagecoach decked out with the familiar red-gold paint job that signified it was part of the Wells Fargo family.

What Was Stagecoach Travel Like?

While stagecoach travel seems like the way to cross the country, it wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. Travelers were subjected to lots of uncomfortable situations. The museum has an interactive display that shows some of the real life situations that stagecoach travelers would have faced during their journey. After seeing some of the real facts, we are happy to have our automobiles and modern highway systems. Watch the video and tell us how you would have liked traveling by stagecoach.

Moving Into Modern Times

Since the museum is based in part on banking, it only seems appropriate for it to show the advances through the ages. The invention of automobiles certainly changed how people get places and signified a death toll for many of the start-up travel industries. These days we all are familiar with drive-thru banking, which began in the 1930’s. As technology advances, so do our means of travel. We can all be glad that we have more comfortable options than stagecoach. Let’s leave that method to the movies. For now, it’s enough to just pretend that we are riding one in this interactive museum. Ready to hit the trail?

The post Relive The Past At The Wells Fargo Museum appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Travel Iowa and Catch Des Moines for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

1) Locals Know It’s Great

Olympic Flame is the brainchild of Angelo Ligdis, who was born in Olympia, Greece. That means it would be hard to get a more authentic experience without leaving the U.S. He opened his Des Moines restaurant in 1988, and it has become a local favorite. It was obvious to us that many of the other diners were quite familiar with the place, since they are regulars. This is always a plus, since it is a sign of consistency. After a day of exploring, we were ready to sit a spell and enjoy a delicious meal. We were also intrigued by the promise of some unusual sights that can be found at this place.

2) Flaming Cheese

When was your last visit to a restaurant that had such an unusual menu item that it made everyone else stop and watch the presentation? It’s hard to think of one that we have experienced quite like the delivery of Saganaki. To be honest, it’s easier just to refer to it as flaming cheese. The base of this appetizer is Kasseri cheese, which is made from sheep’s milk. Somewhat reminiscent of provolone or mozzarella, it comes dipped in egg batter and fried. The real experience begins when they deliver it to your table. A drizzle of ouzo makes the dish flammable, much to the delight of patrons. The jumping flames are quickly extinguished with a squeeze of lemon juice and a shout of Opa! We watched this show repeated a few times during our visit, and each time it was just as impressive.

3) The Cuisine

A common result of dining at Greek restaurants is that you will leave with a full belly. The dishes are filled with a combination of flavors that have been tweaked over centuries to create he perfect combinations. Olympic Flame offers a variety of appetizers, salads, and sandwiches perfect for smaller meals. Since this was our dinner time, we decided to choose from the platter items on their menu. Crystal went old school with the Gyro Plate. The name obviously comes from the main course, which was filled with deliciously tender lamb and beef.  It also included a Tiropita, which is made with a cheese combination stuffed inside filo dough. It was so light and airy.

I selected the Souvlakia (Shish Kabob) that is made with tender cuts of pork seasoned with Greek spices. Like Crystal, my plate came with Tiropita, as well as Spanakopeta, which is similar except it includes spinach. Both platters also come with Dolma, a beef and rice mixture stuffed into grape leaves. A helping of orzo provides the pasta carbs for the meal. To keep us from the unlikely potential of leaving hungry, the meals started with homemade soup, Greek salads, and fresh bread. This is why we were so thankful to get to walk around after we finished.

4) Live Entertainment

As we dined, we would get the occasional show of flaming cheese. Every time they brought out the tray, the entire room would halt conversations to watch in awe as the flames erupted from the dish. Once they were extinguished, everything went right back to normal. It was quite interesting to observe this phenomena repeated over the next half hour. Just as this was starting to become commonplace, the next diversion arrived. During our research for our visit, we discovered that Olympic Flame hosts a belly dancer every Friday evening. Dinner and a second show? Yes, please!

After a short setup period, our evening show began. The rhythmic sounds of music pulsed through the restaurant, as our evening entertainer swayed to the beats. Most of the patrons seemed quite familiar with this attraction, and continued dining and their conversation. Periodically, a customer would offer a tip to the dancer, which was just as entertaining as her regular dance routine. We found ourselves slowing down the pace at which we were eating, so that we could savor more of the show. The dancer performs for an hour, and we were able to catch about half of her show. It made this one of our most memorable meals in quite some time. Now we wonder why more places don’t offer dinner and a show. What are some of your most memorable dining experiences? Share them with all of us in the comments section below. Thanks!

The post Four Fabulous Reasons To Try Olympic Flame In Des Moines appeared first on Our Changing Life.

We want to thank the Des Moines Science Center, Catch Des Moines and Travel Iowa for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Get Building

After getting the lay of the land from a staff member, we made our way into the gallery on the first floor. This area is called the Makers Studio and offers visitors a chance to get their hands engaged in creating a variety of inventions. A series of workbenches offer tools and instructions to get the imagination flowing. A really neat feature is the circuit blocks where we hooked up various components and then powered them with the turn of a crank. If you were following our “Story” on Instagram or Facebook then you should have seen these in action. It was quite entertaining.

Heading Upstairs

The second floor holds a series of galleries that each showcase a different science field. We started in the area that one of the staff members described as her favorite. Toying with Science is a chance to get physical with movement and flows.

A pair of water tables have various paddles that can be used to alter the flow of the water. The goal is to see how the current affects the production of energy in each stage. We noticed in this gallery that we weren’t the only “adult” kids enjoying a chance to play with the exhibits.

Having A Ball

Along the back wall we found a huge setup that involved tubes, levers, gears, and other contraptions that allowed us to alter the path of balls as they cruise through their maze. Nearby, another exhibit had a series of air nozzles that challenged visitors to attempt to get a series of balls to float in unison.

Another air powered device was a drum with a rubber membrane attached. By beating on the membrane, it would send air waves toward a panel covered with shiny discs. These would flutter with the breeze and showed how air patterns work. It didn’t take us long to understand why this gallery was so popular with people. We watched others as they raced tennis balls along a series of ramps that show how angles affect speed. In another section of the gallery, a couple of people worked to assemble paper rockets that they could launch to compete for distance. Perhaps you are starting to see why we enjoy visiting science centers.

Moving Into A Different Space

The next series of displays are contained in the Why The Sky? exhibit. It begins with a short introduction to human space travel, before moving into displays focused on explaining many of the mysteries of the universe. A spinning table demonstrates centrifugal force by allowing guests to experiment with various items like ping pong balls. This was another of those popular displays, so we only got to watch others playing with it. The display helps drive home the importance of gravity when dealing with centrifugal forces of nature. Otherwise all of the planets would shoot out through space.

With everyone focused on the spinning table, we moved on to some of the other displays. We are sure many of you have seen and maybe even played with plasma balls. These interesting little “toys” are actually a scientific device that many use merely for enjoyment. Now that we know more, we will certainly remember back to this visit whenever we see one in the future. If the goal of the Science Center of Iowa was to teach us something, it was doing a great job.

How High Will It Bounce

This display was all about supernovas and it actually grabbed our attention for its sheer entertainment value. The purpose of this setup is to show how stars age and eventually collapse upon themselves. When this occurs, the sudden collapse creates a shock wave that blows the star into space. That explosion is called a supernova. The fun part of the display is to lift the balls along the line and then gently let them drop as a group. Like a supernova, the heavier balls push the lighter balls away with amazing force. We spent a few minutes seeing who could get their top red ball to shoot the farthest up the line. I would like to claim it was a tie, but in reality Crystal won this challenge easily.

Bring It Back To Earth

Space was a lot of fun, but it was time to set our feet back down on the Terra Firma for our next gallery. What On Earth? is designed to showcase species and situations found all around Iowa. The promise of a weather station piqued my interest as we headed into the brightly lit space.

Who You Looking At?

The largest portion of this gallery focuses on allowing visitors to learn more about the animals, reptiles, and amphibians that share our space. It’s a good place to discover things with your kids or grandkids. Lots of displays are available to help explain the cycle of life to all ages. Nearby, we found a series of tanks that held many of the species that are native to the state. One in particular was happy to hop up and have his photo taken.

Staff members are on hand in all of the galleries to help instruct and educate guests. In this area, we watched as a young visitor became acquainted with one of the center’s snakes. It’s fun to watch the discovery in their eyes and the smile light up their face. We moved over to the weather station to see what it held for us. Here we found a green screen, where I was able to show off the weather for the day. (Another live action item we placed on our Story.) By the way, the forecast was for hot temperatures, sunny skies, and periods of excessive fun.

What’s Down There?

We made our way back down to the first floor and were prepared to leave, until Crystal spotted an area we had overlooked. Small Discoveries is designed for toddlers and their families to explore. A market allows kids to do their grocery shopping. They can take their purchases and create a healthy meal for their family. Others were busy exploring the farm area, and possibly considering milking a cow.

Bubbling With Fun

It was this toddler area that included an attraction that we had noticed when we were scoping out our visit. The Bubble bay is designed to let guests create amazingly huge bubbles. We watched as more “Big” kids tried their hands with the oversized wands. It was not only captivating for the kids to see, but it certainly held our attention as well. With this final box checked off from our visit, we knew it was time to head on. The one thing we didn’t have time for was one of the Imax movies, but that gives us a reason to plan a return visit. Which area would you like to explore at the Science Center of Iowa?

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We want to thank the Catch Des Moines for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

Ever Changing Menu

The business operates out of the first floor and service is through a single window. No seating is available, unless you pull up a spot on the sidewalk, like we did. The menu is located on a placard outside the storefront and lists the available flavors for the day. Once a flavor sells out it gets removed from the list. The owner makes up as many gallons as possible and usually sells out. The small batch approach means that the product they offer is of the highest quality. After our visit, we had mentioned to some of the people we met about how much we liked the ice cream. We heard some of the nicest stories about the business and its friendly owner. One of the most touching was that during the coldest part of the winter, he made deliveries to those who couldn’t get out to get their ice cream fix. Now that is true customer service.

Funny Feline

When we arrived, there was a line to order, but it moved quickly. Alex Carter, owner and ice cream aficionado, was busy serving up some of his homemade specialties to adoring fans. A short lull in the line allowed us to chat with him for a moment. He explained about his fondness for ice cream, and his desire to serve only the best possible product he could produce. That is why his flavors and volume are limited. It allows him better control over the results, as well as giving him a chance to experiment with new flavor combinations. Why Black Cat Ice Cream? Alex told us about his cat (Yes, it is black!) which has a fondness for ice cream. It was an easy decision to connect the two when he began this venture. Pictures of his favorite feline adorn the inside of his shop. After a little more small talk, we decided on the two flavors we wanted to sample. After placing our order, we patiently watched while Alex scooped our treats from his five-gallon buckets of creamy goodness.

The Verdicts In

Our decision was to test out one of the cream based flavors, as well as one of the sorbet. Crystal ordered the Red Velvet Oreo, (pictured on the right) which had a wonderful Devil’s food flavor and real chucks of Oreos. The texture was creamy and the cool treat was more than welcome on the hot day. I went with the Strawberry Lemonade Sorbet that featured a mix of the two flavors. It was so creamy and the flavors were well balanced. We found a spot on a nearby stoop and sat down to enjoy our dishes in the shade. We knew that we would eventually have to head back out into the sunshine and heat, but for now we would just savor our desserts from this hidden gem. Are you ready to sample Black Cat Ice Cream?

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Heads Up

The open atrium lobby offers a chance to view the three aircraft that are displayed. All of these are from the period just after the start of the twentieth century. The oldest of which was commonly used as a “trainer” plane for new pilots in the early 1900’s. Be sure to climb the steps to the second floor landing for a better view.

Regional History

Like every good state museum, the Iowa version focuses a lot of attention on the people and stories associated with the growth of the region. In this area we discovered many pieces specific to Iowans who are known around the world for their accomplishments. Pieces of clothing that have been used to climb Mount Everest or travel into space can be found in this gallery. We are sure that many of the stories are familiar to the people of the state, but it is a great way for travelers to quickly learn more about the background of some of Iowa’s celebrities.

The Early Days

A visit to the “You Gotta Know The Territory” gallery showcases the indigenous people of the land. Here we learned about the Wiki-up, which is the bark covered lodgings that they used. A nice collection of artifacts helped guide us through the discovery of the traditions of these early inhabitants.

The State Historical Museum of Iowa has separated this gallery into multiple sections, so we spent a considerable amount of time here. Large display cases hold various pieces of apparel, jewelry, and trade goods that would have been commonly found in the villages. A few examples of the native species is also among the collections.

Settlers Arrive

As we progressed through time, we came to the point that settlers first began arriving to stay in the area. A Conestoga wagon stands as a stark reminder of how people traveled during that period. It is hard to imagine packing up your entire life’s worth of belongings in one of these (Be sure to leave room for the family!) and then move across the country. Pioneers discovered the fertile lands were perfect for crops and soon Iowa became an agricultural center in the expanding nation.

The War Between The States

During the Civil War, Iowa saw around 76,000 of its residents fight in the battles and skirmishes. The State Historical Museum has dedicated a good size space to showing life before, during, and after the conflict. There are informational exhibits that detail how the pioneers of those days were turned into proficient soldiers. Some of our favorite pieces describe how some of these soldiers felt during this period and their beliefs focused around the war in general. It was quite enlightening.

A nice touch in the gallery is the description of and displays associated with the recreational time between the battles. Here we gained a better understanding of how the soldiers passed the time when not on the march or fighting. It made us stop and think about all of the free time they would have had, and how they would want have wanted to fill it with activity to take their minds off of the brutality that they would have witnessed during battle.

A Delicate Balance

Like many of the states in the heartland, Iowa has seen its own challenges in regards to how to harvest the bounties of the land. We never realized that the region was once a major hub for the production of pearl buttons. This large scale industry ran strong for many years, before suffering extensive setbacks due to over harvesting and changes in the fashion industry.

Coal mining was another industry that required people to disturb the natural landscape. Many people worked the mines in the late 1800’s through the first couple decades of the 1900’s. By the 1920’s the mining industry has subsided for the most part, as Iowans sought out alternate fuel sources. One of the main concerns, and killers to this industry, was that Iowa coal had a higher sulfur content that other regions of the country. The last Iowa coal mine shuttered in 1994, and the industry is now just a memory in the state’s history.

You Ought To Be In Pictures

One of our favorite galleries at the State Historical Museum of Iowa centered around the movie industry. Most Americans are familiar with The Music Man, which is centered around the ideals of a Midwestern town and its values. A couple other notable films were Field of Dreams and Bridges of Madison County. Both of these help propel Iowa into the limelight and vastly increase tourism.

Sitting in the center of the gallery is a small display focused on drive-in movies. We can both remember the hey-days of this industry and miss the Friday nights spent sitting in the car watching first run flicks. There is something to be said for the nostalgia of this era, which can’t be truly replicated with a visit to the big house movie theaters. Those were certainly some memorable moments.

An Unexpected Collection

We have had the opportunity to visit many museums during our travels. While each has its own unique spin on the local and regional history, most have common themes that come to be expected. Once in a while there will be a display that takes us on a turn that we didn’t see coming. Such was the case at the State Historical Museum of Iowa, when we came upon the “Riding Through History” gallery. It started with a couple of guys wanting to showcase their six-day ride across Iowa in 1973. They invited local, regional, and national newspapers to follow along and ended up with about 300 riders in total.

This had led to the creation of a seven-day event that draws upwards of 10,000 riders annually to explore the varied landscapes across the state. The event has blossomed into an almost carnival atmosphere with foods and entertainment along the route. The displays at the museum took us on a day-by-day exploration of the event and showcased some of the bikes, team jerseys, and memorabilia collected from previous events. It was certainly an unexpected and pleasant surprise to find in the museum. Of course, we found many more displays inside, but our goal is to pique your interest to make your own trip to the State Historical Museum of Iowa. It’s a great way to learn about the people of the state, so make it one of your first stops during your stay in Des Moines.

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We want to thank the Catch Des Moines and Travel Iowa for their hospitality. Rest assured that all opinions are our own.

East Meets Italy?

We made our way to the downtown side of the river, (We were staying in the East Village) and easily found the restaurant. Tucked into an area filled with restaurants, nightclubs and shops, Fong’s exterior looked more like a Chinese food establishment. We had been warned that this place is extremely popular, so we planned our visit to be after the lunch rush had subsided. Even with the mid-afternoon timing, the place was still pretty full. During our time there we saw a steady stream coming and going, but then some looked to be picking up to-go orders.

But Wait, There’s More

Fong’s could be described as a pizza joint with an identity issue. Not only is the menu a little unexpected, but the place also serves as a Polynesian Tiki bar. An assortment of unique goblets are available to hold your cocktails.  (You can buy them if you wish.) After placing our drink order, we took some time to examine the interior. Once again the feeling that this is a Chinese food establishment was overwhelming. While I snapped some photos for the article, I noticed a group of friends having shots. It is obviously a ritual to wear the racing helmets while doing this activity. They were nice enough to pose for a picture, and then explained that they were celebrating one of them recently becoming a doctor. The reason they gave for their choice of celebratory digs was that they lived off of Fong’s Pizza while attending college.

Not Crab Rangoon Pie

Almost everyone we spoke to told us we had to try the Crab Rangoon pizza. While we know that this dish is delicious, we had already sampled that flavor at another Iowa pizzeria in the Amana Colonies. Instead we wanted to test one of their other specialty pies. With names like General Tso’s , Fongolian Beef, and Sweet and Sour Chicken the choice of choosing one flavor became difficult. We finally landed on the Thai Chicken pizza which includes; peanut sauce, spicy Thai chicken chunks, mirepoix (diced vegetables), Asiago and mozzarella cheeses. Topped with fresh cilantro this pie had lots of flavors working together to deliver a power packed taste. The crust was thin enough to have a touch of crunch, but still substantial enough to hold in all of the toppings. We were certainly impressed with this East meets Italy combination.

After we completed our pie, the manager brought out a little surprise for us. (Thank you, Jeffrey Diemler!) Raspberry Cheesecake Egg Rolls are another unexpected adventure at Fong’s Pizza. Stuffed with a sweet cream cheese filling and raspberry compote, the rolls are fried and drizzled with chocolate sauce, before being dusted with powdered sugar. Yeah, they are a little decadent, but oh so tasty. Even though we had dessert plans for later, we couldn’t pass up these tasty treats.

All In The Family

Fong’s Pizza is part of a family of downtown establishments that serve up eats and drinks to the locals and travelers alike. Names like El Bait Shop, The Red Monk, Hessen Haus, and The Royal Mile are synonymous with the downtown dining scene in Des Moines. We didn’t realize the connection when we made our plans for the day but it worked out well. Later in the evening we returned to the same block where we had enjoyed such a delectable lunch. This time we were on our way to an English style pub for an after dinner dessert run. The Royal Mile sits on the opposite side of the street and just a couple of doors down from Fong’s. We were beginning to become very familiar with this area.

Do Calories Count On Vacation?

During our visits we usually try to add in at least one dessert stop. These will usually be a bakery or ice cream shop. The Royal Mile was an unlikely choice, but ended up being a home-run pick. We were struggling to choose between the Apple Cinnamon Pasty and the Salted Caramel Pretzel Brownie, so we just ordered one of each. Wow! These desserts were amazing. The apple dish was like a smaller version of an apple pie with a deliciously flaky crust. To compliment this homey goodness, they toss in a couple of scoops to make it Ala mode. The brownie was baked to perfection with a little crust along the edges, but still gooey in the center. This too had the ice cream accompaniment that helped moderate the chocolate overload. Upon delivery of our order, we noted that we could just eat a portion to get a good taste for their dishes. A little while later, we were staring at empty dishes. Good thing our trip was designed to be a walking adventure. Have you ever dined at either of these restaurants? Tell us about your experiences in the comments section below. We would love to hear about the other pizza flavors. Thanks!

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