You can’t stop the ridiculousness in Washington, you only need to contain yourself on this annual citywide event. The first Saturday of every June, Washington brings out the retail deals, great food, bands, and events all day long. And Team Goodvin made a smooth landing into Washington and we couldn’t wait to get our story out. This is round 2 of Scouting RAGBRAI-2016! Prepare yourselves for overnight #7! (Click on the pictures for descriptions.)
The Washington welcoming party never let up during the whole weekend. Team Goodvin was introduced to Denise and Angie right away, two hard workers that are helping to get Washington prepped for RAGBRAI and will be seen all over town on their big day on July 29th.
Who can say no to this little piggy! Volunteer your way into RAGBRAI!
Meet, Jodi. Chair for the volunteers. Like in charge of the volunteers. They won’t be sitting on her. Or may they will. She’s really nice.
Let’s fast forward to July….but don’t forget to come back. Enjoy your summer! You’ve been in countless Iowa towns and wish you had more room, and not to mention energy, to gather more gifts and souvenirs during your RAGBRAI adventure. Yes, you can always comeback to Washington, IA another day. Ooooor… Ask these local retailers if they’ll ship the “OMG, darling-love of my life…I NEED to have this on our fireplace ohhh let’s get it now” item you must have. Save some scratch, RAGBRAI’ers. (Click on the pictures for addresses and descriptions.)
Jaz It Up 121 West Washington Street, Washington Iowa
Like I said…Ready for Riders
Jaz It Up has a great showroom of clothes, gifts, and a crew ready to get you looking fabulous!
Earthly Blessings 116 East Washington Street, Washington, Iowa
Lynn is one of the many volunteers that help at Earthly Blessings.
Yes. Yes, you need this for your wine.
More bikes! We’re noticing a theme.
You have a wall. Maybe two…Then find space for this!
And one of these!
The Village 101 South Marion Street, Washington, Iowa
You don’t have one of these already? Get to The Village, pronto!
The Village is a collection of many venues ranging from toys, jewelry, clothes and much-much more!
Now, this leaves room for the rest of the ride!
The Purple Petunia 219 West Main Street
The Purple Petunia knows how to re-purpose. Meat grinder style!
The Petunia Firm of Michael and Kayleigh are geared up. Like the shirts? they have those for sale too.
Antiques and vintage gifts all over the place. Looking for that 1970’s pea soup colored set of dishes. They may have it here!
Jaz It Up, The Village, Earthly Blessings, and The Purple Petunia aren’t the only game in town. Washington is absolutely loaded with shops, boutiques, and retailers already prepared for the riders. While we shop, let’s fuel up with some coffee. I have a feeling there’s a few fans of this brew that will be en-route during RAGBRAI. We recharge at Dodici’s Shop and The Coffee Corner!
Isabella made a mean Ice Coffee and has her shop loaded with chocolate, gifts, and everything coffee!
Dodici’s Shop 120 South Iowa Avenue, Washington, Iowa
The Coffee Corner 125 West Washington Street, Washington, Iowa.
Owner of The Coffee Corner is Jina. Barista’s are training up for the RAGBRAI rush.
You can eat your candy bar and drink it too! Snickers Frappe at The Coffee Corner!
One of the official RAGBRAI bike shops is located right in Washington. Rodney and Rita will have Rider Sales humming through the whole route and when the ride arrives to overnight #7. 102 East 3rd Street, Washington, Iowa.
It was time for us to have our lunch and check into our room for the night. Thanks to Cafe Dodici, we’re able to do both at the same time. An amazing meal in the cafe and a short walk upstairs to the Dodici Night Suite. All right in Washington’s historic town center.
Cafe Dodici 122 South Iowa Avenue, Washington, Iowa
Cafe Dodici’s dining room is stunning! The decor has you feeling like you’ve been swept into a European Cafe. One of the best restaurant experiences in all of Iowa.
One of the lunch specials was their spaghetti and meatballs. We ordered a Pizza Margherita and added some thin sliced salami to the order. This was a treat!
Salad with fresh veggies and hot cup Dodici’s tomato soup.
Some of the amazing crew helping us out. Laina, Micky, and Sara. Great work, everyone!
That is one happy Team of Goodvins! Thank you, Cafe Dodici!
Let’s check into our suite, shall we. Washington has a lively town square and Dodici’s Night Suites have spectacular views of the park and all the action happening downtown.
Right smack dab in the middle of downtown Washington, Iowa.
Second floor to the comfortable and beautiful suites of Dodici’s.
Great beds and plenty of opportunity to relax.
All the amenities you’ll need in a suite. Including a flat screen TV that picks up Sponge Bob just fine.
The day was only getting warmed up. The annual Ridiculous Day Parade was getting revved up and the organizers asked if Team Goodvin would like to participate. The answer is YES! An Iowa Gallivant first! Bring that parade on! Not so fast…There’s some duck throwing too! (These ducks are the featherless kind)
The RAGBRAI float was in full force. We even met some future Iowa bloggers! The Kane sisters are travelers and were wonderful ambassadors of Washington.
Soon to be a parade of endless bikes swarming Washington’s historic downtown.
Armed with cute little pink piggy erasers for the spectators of the Ridiculous Day Parade.
Only on Ridiculous Day can you take a dip into the town squares fountain. And you have to be a firefighter too!
Firefighters tossed plastic duckies to the crowd that were exchanged for prizes and cash to local sponsors. I think she’s done this before.
After a long walk in a parade, I think we could go for something to soothe our hardworking muscles. Because I said they need to be soothed, so we’re going to find someone who can make this happen. And RAGBRAI’ers will be in good hands too. In good “hands”. For a massage. Oh man, that’s good times. Simply Spa, everyone.
Simply Spa 111 South Marion Avenue, Washington, Iowa
Simply Spa is primed and ready to get the riders back on their pedals with massage specials during RAGBRAI. Heather, Tiffany, and Kendal are looking forward helping out RAGBRAI nation!
The day was warm and that means one thing. The perfect excuse for ice cream. The tired masses of riders will be rolling into the Korner Kremery by the dozen to cool off and satisfy the sweet tooth!
Korner Kremery 202 East Washington Street, Washington, Iowa
A kiss of Mint Chocolate Chip
Another establishment that’s Team Goodvin approved!
Monster Cookie Dough! Our favorite selection at Korner Kremery.
The Korner Kremery won’t be the only way to beat the heat in Washington. They have outlets for riders much needed breaks all over the city. From theaters, to schools, and more!
The local YMCA will have the AC on the showers flowing.
Washington Middle-School will be available to refresh.
The local aquatic center will be welcoming riders. You can just utilize the showers for a small fee.
Sunset park supplies plenty of shade for a nice nap. Or sudden yoga workouts.
The worlds oldest continuously operated movie theater is right in Washington, IA! Buy a ticket and take in a couple hours of history while you’re in town.
We headed to the edge of town where the riders will be entering Washington. What will you be greeted with? How about smoked sausage, local jerky, Mexican food, margaritas, and cold beer! Hey, there even a laundry mat too! Surprise, surprise. We’re hungry again. Boyd’s Sausage Company and Mi Pueblo Real will be greeting your way into Washington’s city limits!
An Iowa staple! Boyd’s Bologna! 626 Iowa 1, Washington, Iowa
It keeps all day long in your back pocket. Or just eat it right away too.
Mi Pueblo Real will have the food and cold beverages ready for one of your first stops in Washington! 1021 West Madison Street, Washington, Iowa
Mi Pueblo Real’s giant burritos are a must have after a long day of biking. Loaded with meat, rice, beans, guac, and lettuce and tipped with rich queso!
Mi Pueblo Real has the seafood lovers covered. Share or don’t share these shrimp nachos.
The classic chimichanga at Mi Pueblo Real
Scouting RAGBRAI can make a family tired. So can a burrito the size of an El Camino. We headed back to our downtown suite, overlooking the historic State Theater, and crashed in our big comfy beds. Sleep well, Washington.
One last evening stroll through downtown before we hit the racks. Nighty-Night…
It’s morning in Washington and we need breakfast. Let’s see here. What would a hungry biker gravitate to before trekking into the last leg of RAGBRAI? How about giant donuts. Washington knows how to get this done. Here we come, Main Street Donuts!
Just down the street from the main drag is Main Street Donuts! 120 East Madison Street, Washington, Iowa.
You need a lot of donuts, RAGBRAI!
And Main Street Donuts will having you make some tough decisions.
The Main Street Donut crew is eager for July 29 and 30th. Something about a bike gathering going on.
These are the GIANT donuts we were talking about. Equivalent to 6 regular sized donuts. We’ll take a dozen and a Diet Coke, please.
Bacon is on! On the Maple Long John that is.
We were fed to the point of bursting and we were welcomed at every turn in Washington. Overnight #7 is more than ready for the world’s greatest bike tour. RAGBRAI doesn’t come to town every year, so when it does, you best put on a great show. Washington and their locals did an amazing job showcasing their proud city and are buzzing with more RAGBRAI excitement everyday. See you again, Washington!
There’s going to be a pig kiss too. Just not on this day.
And now some HUGE thank yous to….
To Lorraine Williams and the Dodici crew. You provide a top notch suite for us and we loved the accommodations. Have a great year ahead!To Michelle Redlinger and everyone at the Washington Chamber of Commerce. Great work putting together our trip. We had a blast!To Denise Erpelding and everyone on the Washington-RAGBRAI team. Denise gave us a wonderful tour of the town during a very busy weekend and never skipped a beat!
9 thoughts on “Scouting RAGBRAI 2016: A “Ridiculous” Visit to Washington”
Thanks for visiting! The girls were naturals at pig-eraser-throwing. Come back and see us anytime!
~Debbie Stanton, Co-chair RAGBRAI Washington Hospitality
Thanks for visiting! The girls were naturals at pig-eraser-throwing. Come back and see us anytime!
~Debbie Stanton, Co-chair RAGBRAI Washington Hospitality
Will do! My son asked if we could move there!