Relocation under way (Des Moines, Ames, Mason City: home, college, casino)

[leighberkshire]

OK, now that relocation is underway, What is there to do in the Lake Mills area for excitement?? What is the next Big City (Ha-Ha), where does one go shopping??? Where do you go for entertainment???

[Red]

Clear Lake or Mason City or Albert Lea, MN for out of town shopping. If you want real shopping or a real city, head north 2 hours to Minneapolis or south 2 hours to Des Moines. As for local activities--since you probably aren't allowed to gamble at the casino there aren't alot of obvious things left. Fun is where you find it, and you will have to search a little harder in the Lake Mills area than if you lived in a more urban area.

The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake (made famous because of the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper) pulls in some surprisingly good (and cheap) entertainment for such a tiny place. Over the next few months they have Hootie & The Blowfish, Friends of Bob & Tom Comedy, a bunch of great cover bands, a couple of blues shows, etc. In the past few years, they have had groups such as Poison, Cinderella, the Temptations, big name country artists, and lots of other enjoyable shows. For real "concerts", you'll have to go to Ames (1&1/2 hours south), Minneapolis, or Des Moines. Clear Lake also has a recreational lake and a beach at the state park. In Mason City, Lester Milligan park ("Big Blue" pits) also has a small beach that can get pretty busy on those rare nice summer days that we have in northern Iowa.

There are a few dumpy bars in Lake Mills if that's your thing. Forest City (15 minutes southwest) has a small private college (Waldorf) so occasionally there will be arts and entertainment activities available there but you have to check with the college regularly because these events aren't publicized at all. There is a decent bowling alley in Forest City also, but other than that I would guess the average person that doesn't live in Forest City would not be spending much time there. Not much to do in Northwood or Emmons or Joice or Scarville or any of the other tiny towns around Lake Mills, but being close to the interstate definitely makes it easy to get to the Twin Cities, Des Moines, or points further.

If you like ice fishing or hunting, welcome to your dream home. Good luck with your new job and home!

--Red

[leighberkshire]

Red,
Thanks for all the info, I guess its a good thing that I had 10 years to get use to the "small town" life style, My relocation from LA to a small town 10 years ago was a culture shock, sounds like this will be an easier transition.

leighberkshire

[Southside Shrek]

Originally Posted by Red

Clear Lake or Mason City or Albert Lea, MN for out of town shopping. If you want real shopping or a real city, head north 2 hours to Minneapolis or south 2 hours to Des Moines. As for local activities--since you probably aren't allowed to gamble at the casino there aren't alot of obvious things left. Fun is where you find it, and you will have to search a little harder in the Lake Mills area than if you lived in a more urban area.

The Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake (made famous because of the plane crash that killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper) pulls in some surprisingly good (and cheap) entertainment for such a tiny place. Over the next few months they have Hootie & The Blowfish, Friends of Bob & Tom Comedy, a bunch of great cover bands, a couple of blues shows, etc. In the past few years, they have had groups such as Poison, Cinderella, the Temptations, big name country artists, and lots of other enjoyable shows. For real "concerts", you'll have to go to Ames (1&1/2 hours south), Minneapolis, or Des Moines. Clear Lake also has a recreational lake and a beach at the state park. In Mason City, Lester Milligan park ("Big Blue" pits) also has a small beach that can get pretty busy on those rare nice summer days that we have in northern Iowa.

There are a few dumpy bars in Lake Mills if that's your thing. Forest City (15 minutes southwest) has a small private college (Waldorf) so occasionally there will be arts and entertainment activities available there but you have to check with the college regularly because these events aren't publicized at all. There is a decent bowling alley in Forest City also, but other than that I would guess the average person that doesn't live in Forest City would not be spending much time there. Not much to do in Northwood or Emmons or Joice or Scarville or any of the other tiny towns around Lake Mills, but being close to the interstate definitely makes it easy to get to the Twin Cities, Des Moines, or points further.

If you like ice fishing or hunting, welcome to your dream home. Good luck with your new job and home!

--Red

Red
it's amazing that Clear Lake, IA is still remembered for that plane crash which killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens, and the Big Bopper. I guess the Hollywood movie about Richie Valens 'La Bumba' helped to keep the memory alive. is there any monument at the crash site in Clear Lake?

Lah lah lah lah, La Bumba!!!

[Red]

There is a small monument. If you want to see it the easy way:
go to www dot roadsideamerica dot com/tips/getAttraction.php3?tip_AttractionNo==351
In these small Iowa towns they will forever cling to whatever claim to fame they can find, no matter how big or small. Mason City, Iowa's entire civic identity is based on the fact that they were made fun of by Meredith Willson a million years ago when he wrote "The Music Man" and referred to it as River City. Lake Mills will for the rest of human existence proclaim that they are the home of Governor Branstad, even though he never actually lived there and he hasn't been governor for about a decade.

--Red

[Southside Shrek]

Originally Posted by Red

There is a small monument. If you want to see it the easy way:
go to www dot roadsideamerica dot com/tips/getAttraction.php3?tip_AttractionNo==351
In these small Iowa towns they will forever cling to whatever claim to fame they can find, no matter how big or small. Mason City, Iowa's entire civic identity is based on the fact that they were made fun of by Meredith Willson a million years ago when he wrote "The Music Man" and referred to it as River City. Lake Mills will for the rest of human existence proclaim that they are the home of Governor Branstad, even though he never actually lived there and he hasn't been governor for about a decade.

--Red

does that mean if I fly a Cessna 172 over Iowa during a bad ice storm and happen to crash, that I will be forever remembered there and be a great tourist attraction?

[leighberkshire]

Well, I made the transition. The job is great but boy do I feel like i am in the middle of no where. Made the journey to the "big city" (mason) forgot to check out clear lake, maybe your right... forever be remembered if you crash a plane??? thanks for all the imput

[Red]

but boy do I feel like i am in the middle of no where

Yep, but I'm glad you are enjoying the new job.

--Red