What’s So Great About Monticello, IA? I’ll Tell ya

My wife and I moved back to Iowa after living in Illinois for 20 years. We have been revisiting things we have visited once already.  I say this because I don't remember visiting some of these places the first time.  My wife says we did so I believe her.  We both work long hours and Sunday is our day together.  We get up, at some point and head out.  Where we end up is wherever the road takes us.  Sometimes we have a destination and then there are the times that we want to do something and we've waited too long and then have to divert and try something else.  That's what happened this weekend.  We had planned to hit the sunflowers in Belle Plain at Pheasant Run Farm but we waited a little longer than expected.  You know sunflowers prima donnas.  Or is it Chrysanthemums?  One of the two is very demanding and hard to deal with and never pays for any meals.

Where does this road go?

That day we just decided to drive, taking random turns to see what we could find.  As we drove my wife plotted towns that were close by and what they had to offer.  We stopped at random roadsides so I could take some pictures and it's a grand time.

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As we drove we saw the sign for Monticello and decided that's where we were going.  It was part of a bigger plan.  After spending the better part of a week at the Great Jones County Fair, the town of Monticello was picturesque and we wanted to return.  We wanted to see it without the thousands of extras walking and driving around.

The place to go in Monticello!

I'll tell you this and no one else.  We got out early this last Sunday so we could get some food and make a day of it.  We have wanted to try a particular establishment for some time. I'll save the details but know our meal was eh and the service atrocious.  You have to work hard at blah to be that blase.  We decided wherever we landed next we would find a fine eating establishment and see if our day would get better food-wise.  After walking around Monticello for a couple hours we decided the Blind Pig would be our destination.

If I have a miserable time anywhere I usually keep it to myself.  Maybe it was just an off day and it wasn't the normal experience or maybe it was, don't know.  What I do know is our day got way better in Monticello.  From the time we walked into the Blind Pig until our exit, good stuff there.  The staff was excellent, friendly, and attentive. The food tasted great and they had a very extensive drink menu.  I'd recommend the Southwest Egg Rolls, very tasty.  I know they have a Blind Pig location in Cedar Rapids and it's always busy.