Our blog is young, but who wouldn’t love a great list of some of our favorite times sharing our life in the Hawkeye state. We started The Iowa Gallivant on July 11th and we can’t tell you how much we’ve enjoyed showcasing the great people, places and culture of Iowa. Nearly 10,000 visitors have combed through the Gallivant in 2014 and we’re gearing up for a hugely successful 2015. Thank you to all of our followers and everyone who has taken the time to read about our adventures. Most of all, thank you to all the great new friends we’ve made and the people that make our proud home so amazing. Team Goodvin will never forget your generosity. Here’s your top 20 stroll through The Iowa Gallivant!

20. Lynnville’s Creamed Honey from Ebert Honey Company

We discovered this jar of pure Iowa heaven at the NewBo City Market in Cedar Rapids. Cancel your plans, call in to work, turn off your phone and spend some much needed “You” time with this creamed honey. I crushed a package of brioche rolls when we got it home with no shame added.

http://www.eberthoney.com/

http://newbocitymarket.com/

19. Coralville to Kinnick on The Hawkeye Express

Without a doubt, the best way to travel to a game in all of Big 10 country and throughout the college football landscape. Fans from both ends of the field agree that the Hawkeye express is one of their most enjoyable parts of the Kinnick Stadium experience.

http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/m-footbl/spec-rel/081605aai.html

18. The Millstream Brewing Company’s Beer Garden in Amana

Enjoy your favorite Millstream brew in their inviting beer garden. Vines of fresh hops drape themselves over the sitting area while German music is pumped though the speakers. I recommend the beer. I like beer.

http://www.millstreambrewing.com/

17. The orange float ladies at The Iowa State Fair in Des Moines

It was hot and a lot of the proud vendors were starting to feel it. But not these ladies! They sang, danced and made every customer feel great about stopping at their stand. They made some mean orange floats!

http://www.iowastatefair.org/

16. The giant inflatable pillow at Harvestville Farm near Donnellson

We took the long way home, from Keokuk, and we were glad that we did! Where has Harvestville Farm been our whole lives!

http://www.harvestvillefarm.com/

15. The salad bar at Breitbach’s Country Dining in Balltown

Their delicious selections could bring a tear to a glass eye. Breitbach’s Country Dining is the oldest restaurant in the Hawkeye state and is a pure Iowa experience.

http://www.breitbachscountrydining.com/

14. The big box ‘o butter at Stringtown Grocery near Kalona

Don’t say anything. Just observe this fine work of art. Kalona’s Amish community does a lot of great things and this is one of them. Sorry, no website for Stringtown Grocery. Try to find a WiFi connection here. I dare you!

http://www.kalonaiowa.org/

13. Uncle Pat’s Backyard BBQ near Clinton

Not only will they serve up some of Iowa’s best BBQ, you’ll be enjoying it in the great company of the owners, pictured above, and one of the best dining views in the state that overlooks the local lock and dam on the Mississippi River.

12. The fresh salsa at Antojitos Carmen Taqueria in Columbus Junction

We combed the rural roads of eastern Iowa in search of amazing tacos and we found some in many places. The tacos at Antojitos Carmen were amazing, we’ll be making the hour drive just to stock up on their delicious salsa!

11. The Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and Big Bopper memorial near Clear Lake

The whole trip to Clear Lake was one of our favorite road trips of the summer. The people of this area do an amazing job of preserving the historical events from “The day the music died.”

10. Iowa watermelons from Conesville

Muscatine County never disappoints! Some of America’s best melons are grown right in our backyard and Houseal Farms produces some of the best!

http://www.co.muscatine.ia.us/

9. The Acapulco Bakery in West Liberty

We came to town for tacos and left with dessert. West Liberty yielded a full day and a few full bellies. Grab a tray an load it with pastries until it bends. Trust us, it’s easy to do.  311 N. Calhoun Street in West Liberty

http://cityofwestlibertyia.org/

8. The city of Keokuk’s history and the proud history it’s going to make

The history buff in me is naturally drawn to Keokuk. The importance of this city will survive as a new generation of entrepreneurs descend on southeast Iowa.

7. Taste of Iowa City

This has become an annual Team Goodvin staple. Iowa City’s downtown restaurant scene is getting better and better every year!

http://downtowniowacity.com/

6. River Works at The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium in Dubuque

There’s a long list of great things to do at The National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium, but the River Works venue tops them all!

http://www.mississippirivermuseum.com/

5. A Johnson County tour with Herky on Parade

Over 80 likenesses of Herky were peppered all over Johnson County and it was up to us to find them with the help of some specialized maps and fellow Herky hunters we met a long the way.

http://www.herkyonparade2.com/

4. Wilson’s Apple Cider donuts with Heyns Cinnamon Ice Cream near Iowa City

That’s right. Ice cream and donuts combined. You got something better to do? Make a trip to Wilson’s Apple Orchard and eat this culinary masterpiece!

http://www.wilsonsorchard.com/

3. The wind farms of Cass County

You’ll be hit with an absolutely stunning landscape of endless wind turbines when you make your way into Cass County. Truly an amazing site of modern day technology and monuments.

http://www.casscountyiowa.us/

2. Back to my roots in Adams County

One of the Gallivant’s longest posts and my proudest. Adams County will always feel like home to us. We only scratched the surface and we can’t wait to visit our family once again.

http://www.adamscountyiowa.com/vnews/display.v/ART/534b129582529

1. Sabula

Iowa’s only island community was loaded with gems at every turn. We kept finding more to do with every person we met and received even more from folks contacting the Gallivant after we left. We make no guarantees on returning to any location, except when it comes to the isle of Sabula. Team Goodvin will be heading your way in 2015, Sabula!

http://www.jacksoncountyiowa.com/sabula.html

We packed in a lot of Iowa in just six months this year. Imagine what we can do in 12! By the way…..as you noticed Iowa sweet corn wasn’t on the list. We wanted to give everybody a fair chance. 2015, here we come!

Please take time to visit…..