South Dakota - Minnesota - Iowa

The landscape changed drastically from mountains to farmland - pretty and green grass was greeting us on the side of the road

The farmers did already some of their hard work in the fields

For me it was something new to see these styles of farm houses and red barns with their big, round silos - so very different than I have seen in my homeland

Crossing over the Big Sioux River - and it was NOT the Missouri :)
(people mix up sometimes some river names, right?

More pretty farm scenes, seen out from my window

We had to cross the border to Minnesota - to get to Iowa

Minnesota ( /mɪnɨˈsoʊtə/)

is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. The twelfth largest state by area in the U.S., it is the twenty-first most populous, with just over five million residents. Minnesota was carved out of the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory and admitted to the Union as the thirty-second state on May 11, 1858. Known as the "Land of 10,000 Lakes", the state's name comes from a Dakota word for "sky-tinted water". Those waters, together with forests, parks, and wilderness areas, offer residents and tourists a variety of outdoor recreational opportunities.

Nearly sixty percent of Minnesota's residents live in the Minneapolis-Saint Paul metropolitan area known as the Twin Cities, the center of transportation, business, and industry, and home to an internationally known arts community. The remainder of the state consists of western prairies now given over to intensive agriculture; eastern deciduous forests, also heavily farmed and settled; and the less populated North Woods. The large majority of residents are of Nordic or German descent, but ethnic diversity has increased in recent decades. Substantial influxes of African, Asian, and Latin American immigrants have joined the descendants of European immigrants and of the original Native American inhabitants.

The state is known for its moderate to progressive politics and social policies, civic involvement, and high voter turnout. Minnesota ranks among the healthiest states and has a well-educated and literate population.

After just some miles Iowa welcomes you

Iowa ( /ˈaɪəwə/ (help·info))
is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland." It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New France. After the Louisiana Purchase, settlers laid the foundation for an agriculture-based economy in the heart of the Corn Belt. Iowa is often known as the "Food Capital of the World,” but Iowa’s economy, culture, and landscape are diverse. In the mid and late 20th century, Iowa’s agricultural economy transitioned to a diversified economy of advanced manufacturing, processing, financial services, biotechnology, and green energy production. Iowa is one of the safest states in which to live and its population is among the most literate and best-educated. Recent immigration from other states and countries has increased Iowa's population and diversity. Des Moines is Iowa's capital and largest city.

We arrived on our goal, in Orange City Iowa - a pretty, clean and very neat town - it feels to be here almost like to be in "Pleasant Ville". And you really can not miss the Dutch background of this little town, it is visible by every step you do - and you don't need to wear wooden shoes for that...LOL...:)

The real Dutch windmill is the seat of the Chamber of Commerce and of the yearly Tulip Festival Organization - who knows the song: "Tulips of Amsterdam" :)

Orange City
is a city in and the county seat of Sioux County, Iowa, United States. The population was 5,582 at the 2000 census. Named after William of Orange, it is best known for its Dutch background, which it celebrates by having an annual Tulip Festival for 3 days of every May and facing many of the city's buildings with Dutch architectural fronts. Orange City is home of the headquarters of Diamond Vogel Paints.

Hi my friends,

We'll stay for some days here in this pretty town with so much Dutch traditions and culture - we are visiting family members - and yes, they are Dutch too, and my Hubby is it too...LOL...it's nice to see them all again and to discover with them the town and surroundings and the good food.

Our next goal is to find some Amish Colonies, they are here in Iowa also to find... I will post about for sure :)

Thanks for all your wonderful comments, I appreciate your visits to my blog!
Susanne and David