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Iowa skies come alive as 100+ hot air balloons paint the sky with brilliant colors and charming special shapes. Don’t miss a moment of the excitement as skilled pilots compete every morning and every evening, while dazzling guests below. Great family fun and incredible entertainment await you at the Memorial Balloon Field. Just sit back and enjoy the beautiful countryside as you listen to live music during the evening balloon flights. Grab a bite to eat, buy a balloon ride for a one-of-a-kind view, and prepare to be awestruck as the skies come alive with a mystical glow of balloons! 

Day 1 – Home to West Des Moines, IA 

Only about an hour down the road we make our first meaningful stop. A guided tour of the Faribault Woolen Mills. A real live “Made in the USA” success story, this family-owned business was recently invited to the White House to present their products and business to the President himself. We will get to experience firsthand why Minnesota’s quality received so much attention. Lunch is on our own before we board the bus and soon exit the freeway for a side trip to Boone, Iowa. Ever been there? It’s well known for being on the Lincoln Highway (US 30), but even more well known for being the birthplace of none other than Mamie Eisenhower! We’ll make our way along Mamie Eisenhower Boulevard before turning up a side street to her very modest and humble home where she was born in 1896. We have planned a brief viewing of the home before continuing on our journey. Next we visit Van Meter, Iowa. Why there you ask?! This little hamlet of about 1,000 souls is very proud to be the hometown of Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller! Some of you will remember “Rapid Robert” as one of the most famous and prolific pitchers in Major League Baseball history. There is a first class museum honoring Feller’s feats and life, that we’ll have the privilege of visiting. He never pitched in the minor leagues, starting his career with the Cleveland Indians at the age of 17 and is believed by many as the fastest pitcher to ever play the game. Then we check into our hotel for the next three nights before enjoying our Welcome Dinner at one of our chosen favorites, The Machine Shed Restaurant! Fabulous dining! Afterwards, the Manager’s “Kickback” Reception is available at the hotel. 

Included Meals: Dinner, Manager’s Reception 

Hotel: Drury Inn (3 Nights) 

Day 2 – Madison County 

After a great Drury Inn hot breakfast, we are off to Madison County. We are privileged today to have our own local expert guide to tell us the history and story of this colorful place. We will visit the picturesque covered bridges, the most well known being the Roseman Bridge featured in the book and movie, “The Bridges of Madison County.” The Cedar Covered Bridge is pictured on the cover of the novel, and you’ll have an opportunity to photograph it too! The Holliwell Bridge is the longest bridge at 122 feet and is featured in the movie. Three other bridges, Cutler-Donahoe, Hogback and Imes are famous in their own right and are featured as well. Maybe even more popular than the bridges, though, is the Birthplace of John Wayne. John Wayne: The mere mention of his name produces images of courage and patriotism! John began his life in Winterset in 1907, and we will visit the four room house now replete with Wayne memorabilia. This is the only museum in the world dedicated to John Wayne. What fun it will be to share an included lunch at Northside Café (where Robert stops for coffee,) and see the Pheasant Run Tavern, the stone Bridge in Winterset’s City Park, and the Middle River Ford. Visiting the Iowa Quilt Museum, featuring the amazing work of Victoria Findlay Wolfe, is also on our agenda. You’ll have time to also enjoy strolling the sidewalks of Winterset town square, the home of the beautiful Madison County courthouse! We return to our hotel later in the afternoon to catch our breath. Dinner is on your own this evening with a number of restaurants surrounding the hotel or just stay at the Drury and enjoy their great “kickback” offerings, usually enough to satisfy your palate! Following dinner we make the short drive to Indianola and the opening night of the National Balloon Classic. This year’s theme is “Look Beyond.” The visual exhilaration of scores of colorful hot air balloons filling the evening sky is sheer joy! A spectacular fireworks show at dusk caps off the opening. Rest well tonight after an adventure-filled day. 

Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Manager’s Reception 

Day 3 – Indianola & West Des Moines 

For our adventuresome early risers, roll out of bed very early, board the coach and head to the Memorial Balloon Field in Indianola. Prepare to be awestruck as dark skies come alive with a mystical glow as balloons ascend the skies. Bring your flashlight, it’s still dark! Watch in wonder as the balloons launch prior to sunrise and fly until it’s light enough to land. Secured with specially approved lighting systems, balloons flying in the dark are a rare phenomenon in ballooning. Launch takes place promptly at 5:15am. We don’t want to be late or we’ll miss it! If you purchased an optional balloon ride, you’ll be among the riders in the early morning sky! (Individuals are responsible for the cost and liability.) We’ll get back to the hotel in time to enjoy a relaxing hot breakfast buffet. We’ve earned it. Mid-morning we return to the streets of Indianola, including the iconic Iowa-style City Square. Indianola is a “down home Midwestern hamlet” with so much to offer. Enjoy unique shopping, craft beers, local wines, and great casual dining at the many food vendors lining the streets. Don’t miss Rustique Iowa’s Flea and Vintage Show just off the square at Trinity Church. Also located in Indianola is the National Balloon Museum and Ballooning Hall of Fame. This is an included, don’t miss, opportunity to explore Hot Air Ballooning and its rich history through amazing and colorful exhibits. Early this afternoon we depart for the lovely Summerset Winery where we’ll thoroughly enjoy a tour of the property, visiting their wine cellar, a tasting of six wines, as well as time to roam their stunning property and sit on one of their welcoming benches! Then we’ve planned photo stops at the Iowa State Capitol and the Terrace Hill Govenor Mansion – what spectacular buildings! We’ll return to the hotel later this afternoon to rest and re-freshen before returning to the Balloon Classic for this evening’s festivities. (Note: Timely bus shuttle service between the hotel and Indianola will be offered today to accommodate the individual needs and desires of our travelers to attend the festival activites.) This evening is the Grand Opening of the Balloon Classic. The OPEN THE SKIES Mass Ascension Balloon Flight is an incredible sight to behold. Several hundred unique and colorful balloons rising almost simultaneously is breathtaking! Throughout the evening live music is on stage. Our comfy bed will feel great tonight!

Included Meals: Breakfast, Manager’s Reception

Day 4 – West Des Moines to Home 

Following another great, leisurely breakfast we depart for home, arriving mid-afternoon. What a special time we’ve had exploring Iowa and experiencing the National Balloon Classic! 

Included Meals: Breakfast