Geeky Grandma Goes to the State Fair

Post date: Aug 19, 2016 4:28:57 PM

Geeky Grandma Goes to the State Fair—a Listicle

Note: I’ve resisted the term but we see them everywhere online: a listicle is an article using a numbered or bulleted list.

• Wednesday, August 17 was “senior day” at the fair. It still feels funny to be considered a “senior.” However, it was a great day to go to the fair: sunny and clear.
• Thanks to the Western Home, Mike and I could sit back and enjoy the ride, complete with snacks, water, and State Fair Trivia and stories from Pastor Tim and his wife Kris.
• Fair workers came on the bus to collect money for our tickets, and we were greeted by volunteers as we got off the bus.
• Our driver, Steve, did a wonderful job getting us there and back, and was also helpful with stowing away my little rollator and had it ready when I got off the bus. (I had worried about it, but saw dozens of wheelchairs and walkers of all types, not to mention strollers, crutches, and canes).
• Thanks to the Des Moines Register app, Fair Food, I could use my iPhone to check out where to get Salad on a Stick or other tasty treats, as well as locate vendors, and events.
• We met up with our friend Roy, who expertly guided us around the fairgrounds and found a healthy place for lunch (chicken shish kabobs and a cup of cut up watermelon for me). My sweetie was my hero when we tried to get my rollator into the middle of a busy dining area: he lifted it up and over.
• Avoiding funnel cakes and deep fried Twinkies, we did succumb to the sticky pleasures of a cinnamon roll, but split it!
• We saw the butter cow—and the Star Trek crew and U. S. S. Enterprise but decided not to stand in line for the free hard-boiled egg that Pastor Tim had so praised on the way to Des Moines (he had three, we later learned).
• We strolled through the lovely gardens and admired the cool shade and winding paths showcasing an astonishing variety of plants and flowers. Later, I saw another garden, sponsored by Earl May that featured a shrubbery cow.
• Roy took me to see the display of quilts, wall hangings, rugs, and all things fabric and handmade clothing while Mike toured old tractors.
• We ducked into the Horse Barns and watched a few events so that we could escape the heat of the afternoon: I loved watching the competition as well as listening to the “old timey” music but didn’t realize until later that it was live.
• We explored the main drag of junk food, rides, vendors, and yet more junk food found more tractors and guzzled water to stay cool.
• We decided to pass on the Snake House and didn’t have time to ride on the tram pulled by tractors, but it looked like fun. I didn’t think it would be a good idea to try to ride on the overhead tram while trying to hang onto my rollator.
• When it was time to leave, we were sweaty and tired but still smiling. Roy was off to meet more folks at the fair, and we looked forward to a cool ride home and maybe a nap.
• Thanks to everyone for making it a fun day!