Visiting Mr. McGregor's Iowa

Took a rare trip today with my dad. We used to travel all the time when my mom was with us. It was bittersweet, and nostalgic. We visited McGregor, Iowa, to see the antique mall with 6000 dolls. It was worth the trip, and the river towns on the Mississippi bluffs are breath taking. I'd like to go again and visit the mounds and other attractions. McGregor is all antiques. Then, on do Dyersville, where I was glad to see Plaza Antiques is still around. My only glitches; I was charged regular price for a vintage Kewpie after the sign said it was half price at 100 years Past. I left a message for the owner, and I'm sure we can work it out. And, no one in business wants to use debit cards or credit cards. If an item is discounted in the store, you lose the discount if you use plastic. In one mall, they charged fifty cents to use their restroom if you didn't buy anything. They had signs up all over thanking people for "putting up with them." I see their point, but this is not the way to attract people to your shop. Also, it was very dark in most of the booths. There was also no one around to open cases, so I jettisoned serously considering anything locked up. But, the selection was good, and over all the people I did find were friendly. I looked for the old fashioned candy store advertised, but I couldn't find it.

I found Schoenhut in need of some TLC, and some nice doll pins and small dolls. Also, found a nice Shoenhut bisque clown head, and a Campble Kid ornament, and the Kewpie mentioned earlier. I also bought two carved fetish or idol dolls. One Japanese,one polynesian. Both were very unusual. I recommend the trip, and would like to take it again. It would have helped if my glasses hadn't snapped right before I had to leave. My old glasses didn't cut it, so not only was it dark, I couldn't see much of the time! Still, we had a good time. The river itself this time of year is quite an attraction. Happy Dolling and Antiquing! Till Next Time.