According to History.com, by the middle of the 18th century it was common for people to exchange small tokens of affection to celebrate Valentine's Day. This year one lucky person will be able to spoil his or her sweetheart for free!
Now through Noon on February 14, anyone 21 and older can register at http://www.traveliowa.com/ to win the Iowa Wine and Dine giveaway. The prize package features $50 gift certificates from both the Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board and the Iowa Restaurant Association. Oh, and did we mention a new iPad2 to download the Iowa Wine and Beer and Dine Iowa apps?
The Iowa Wine and Beer app provides photos, information and directions to more than 100 Iowa wineries and breweries, while the Dine Iowa app makes it easy to find the perfect restaurant from more than 400 listings. (Both apps are available for both the Apple and Android markets.)
The winner will be announced a 2:14 p.m. on February 14.
And if you prefer to spoil yourself, that's fine, too.
Colleen Murphy, Iowa Wine and Beer Promotion Board
At the Figge Art Museum, with its expansive views of Davenport’s Mississippi riverfront, art fans will find an outstanding collection of Haitian art, given new prominence two years after the region’s devastating earthquake. The Figge’s other current exhibits feature a WPA artist, and children’s book illustrations.
The Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs celebrates 150 years of the Union Pacific Railroad in 2012. One collection of note is the Abraham Lincoln Collection, encompassing artifacts from the 16th president’s life and death. The nearby historic home of Civil War general Grenville Dodge, a railroad builder, is open for tours.
For the past 50 years, the life and accomplishments of Herbert Hoover have been documented and celebrated at the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library, Museum, and Historic Site in West Branch, Hoover’s birthplace and boyhood home. Temporary exhibits relating to American history are always on display – currently you can learn about the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts of America. Lou Henry Hoover, wife of the president, served as president of the national organization twice.
Have you resolved to be more active in 2012? Get outside and get moving at one of Iowa’s ski areas, parks, or multi-use trails. Seek solitude on a snowshoe trail through the woods. Warm up with a group of friends at fun winter festival. Planned or spontaneous, a day in the Iowa outdoors will invigorate you.
Seven Oaks Recreation, near Boone in Central Iowa, offers winter activities for all ages and abilities, including skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing. With 11 runs, even beginners can learn quickly. The Lodge at Seven Oaks provides an indoor view of the slopes while you enjoy food and drink.
Sleepy Hollow, Des Moines' only ski resort, offers skiing and snowboarding, along with multiple lanes for tubing. It’s a great urban escape for the whole family, and a top choice for group outings.
From Sundown Mountain Resort’s two lodges, skiers can pause to take in quite a view - 100 square miles of scenery. With one of the highest lifts in the midwest, Sundown Mountain has long been a destination for winter adventurers from three states.
No special equipment is needed to wander Iowa’s trails and hiking paths. Most of Iowa’s state parks have multi-use trails that are available for cross-country skiing when there’s snow, or hiking when there isn’t. For example, Brushy Creek State Recreation Area near Fort Dodge in north central Iowa offers 50 miles of trails! Pikes Peak near McGregor offers three miles of ski trails and many more miles of hiking trails, with spectacular views of the Mississippi River valley.
The Iowa Natural Heritage foundation’s comprehensive guide to Iowa’s trails can point you in the right direction for longer trails. Iowa’s county park system is extensive, offering all types of outdoor recreation in all corners of the state.
Plan the perfect winter getaway at Honey Creek Resort State Park on Rathbun Lake in southern Iowa. Choose an upscale cottage, or stay in the main lodge – special packages are always available. Families will love the indoor waterpark, while couples and friends will appreciate the fine dining and the opportunity to schedule spa services. Miles of trails wind through the woods along the lake.
Here’s one resolution that’s easy to keep –explore more of Iowa’s destinations and attractions with family and friends this year. Your first step is to visit http://www.traveliowa.com/ for a look at everything Iowa has to offer. Flip through the pages of our digital Travel Guide or order your own free copy.
Kathy Bowermaster, Iowa Tourism Office
