Cedar Valley Botanical Gardens

Another place Yai and I visited in August is the Cedar Valley Botanical Gardens in Waterloo.  Admission was only $3 per person.  There were all sorts of gardens, goldfish ponds, and little waterfalls, and there was even a section for children. Everything seemed well-maintained.  

“My prayer for today is that we will feel God’s loving arms wrapped around us,
and we will know in our hearts that He will never forsake us as we trust in Him.” --Billy Graham

Black Hawk County Courthouse

On August 1st, Yai and I visited the Black Hawk County Courthouse in Waterloo, Iowa.  Just over the Cedar River and a couple blocks down in East Waterloo, the current courthouse, built in 1964, features International Style architecture.

Coming in to the building, we had to go through security and have our bags checked.  Unlike most of the courthouses I've visited in smaller towns, this one was very busy.  Waterloo, with a population of 68,406, is the sixth-largest city in the state.

Waterloo Chick-Fil-A

On a shopping and site-seeing trip in Waterloo, Iowa, Yai and I decided to stop for lunch at Chick-Fil-A.  I had only eaten at a Chick-Fil-A once before in my life--and loved it.  So, I was excited to try another chicken sandwich.

I couldn't remember what I had ordered last time (years back), so I went for a grilled chicken sandwich meal, which included waffle fries and a drink for $7.39.  Yai ordered the same.  With my sandwich, I had honey mustard sauce.

A Real Auction

A few Saturdays ago we went to a real auction.  Unlike the church fundraising auction where everyone was there to have fun and donate to the church, here everyone was trying to get the best deals possible on the equipment and tools of a closing electric motor company in Waterloo.  

The Feathered Invasion of Waterloo

Sunday, October 5th, found my family and I enjoying a peaceful afternoon singing for a group of cheery senior citizens at a lovely apartment complex in Cedar Falls, Iowa.  The afternoon turned to evening, and we bid farewell to our audience, driving into the twin city of Waterloo as the sun set and skies darkened.  

We soon discovered that a small area of Waterloo, across the street from Mernards, had been invaded.  The invaders, relying on air-borne missions, had taken over the radio tower and were swarming over important electric lines.

Hansen's Dairy

Our time machine today will take us back to June of 2009 when we toured Hansen's Dairy near Hudson, IA.  Hansen's milk comes from cows not injected with rBST/rBGH hormones, and their milk is non-homogenized (the cream floats to the top).  My family has enjoyed drinking their milk for years.

The dairy offers tours at $12 per person for a hands-on tour and $8 for a walk-through tour.  In 2009, when  I think (but am not sure) that it was less expensive; we took a hands-on tour.

The International Buffet

Last Thursday, my family and I visited the International Buffet in Waterloo.  We like it mostly for its Asian cuisine (the owners are Chinese), but as its name suggests, the buffet offers a wide selection of foods.  

We came at about 2 pm, which meant we missed both the lunch and supper crowds and had the place virtually to ourselves.  Unfortunately the food had cooled down a bit and some of the dishes hadn't been re-filled yet, so it wasn't quite as good quality this time as it is usually (it's best to come at either lunch or supper time), but I enjoyed it thoroughly!  

The lunch price was about $6.00 which plus drinks (soda pop) came to a little over $46.00 for the six of us.  I thought it was quite reasonable considering we could eat all we wanted.  Supper prices are slightly more expensive, but still not bad.

My first helping (above) consisted of a Shanghai Roll, a sweet roll, sweet and sour chicken (my favorite!), sesame chicken, chicken nuggets, fried rice, and a pastry.  Another family member's first plate (below) included onion rings, rice noodles, and an almond cookie. 

 I prefer chicken and she is a vegetarian, but the buffet had plenty to choose from.  Sushi anyone?  

The Sushi bar hadn't been re-stocked after the lunch crowd, but I really didn't mind... 

There were stuffed mushrooms, asparagus, beef dishes, seafood, and potato dishes.  There was also a salad bar and a dessert section replenished with jello, puddings, fruit, coconut cookies, pastries, and a type of cake.

To the side of the dessert selection there is a self-serve freezer filled with various types of ice cream.

 My favorites are pecan and mint chip. 

The service was good (we were well attended by a waitress who refilled our cups and took our used plates), and the restaurant was very nice and clean.  We have visited the restaurant a time or two every year for the past nearly 10 years.  It is a very nice place; the paint is starting to wear off in a few places on window sills, etc. by now, but the chandeliers are still beautiful!

When we first started going to the International Buffet they played hymns like This is My Father's World in the background, and we were both surprised and delighted.  They no longer play hymns, but we still very much enjoy their peaceful, beautifully arranged classical music.  It has a way of adding something relaxing to the atmosphere.

The International Buffet is one of my all time favorite restaurants, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who likes Chinese food.  Just be sure to come at the lunch or supper hour to make sure the food is hot.