Cyclist's Paradise

Let me take you back, back to Iowa and to a very special place- a Hy-Vee grocery store. You might think its just another big box grocery store chain, but not on this very memorable day in early November. Oh, no no. It was the night of the annual Holiday Showcase, also known as the greatest night in human history! And we just happened to be passing through Charles City, Iowa where this history was being made.

As we may have mentioned, we like to eat these days. In abnormally large quantities, and our number one, and only, rule is that we never turn down free food. Little did we know that we were about to stumble into the motherload of free food. Hy-Vee goes totally nuts with their Showcase, a night once a year when they display some of the amazing holiday foods you can create. The fact that we were decked out in outrageous spandex and neon colors upon entering the store didn't even attract any attention, or at least much less than it usually does. It seemed that every family in Chucktown was in the store, and they had no time for these drooling weirdos because it was feeding time. Everywhere we looked we saw scenes that are usually accompanied by glowing golden light and angelic music. Table after table of free samples- main dishes, appetizers, desserts. We gorged on egg rolls, shrimp scampi, dozens of cheeses, fruits, breads and cookies. One of my favorites was the pumpkin pie with cinnamon ice cream nestled in right next to the eggnog samples. And every time we turned around, a very cheery employee was offering us food. And once news spread that these rosy-cheeked, bedazzled cyclists were biking... what? cross-country?.... we were offered numerous rounds of all. Honestly, it was a little overwhelming. What first? Kebabs or cream puffs, sweet or savory? In between mouthfuls of stuffing, we hear over a message from above. "Hellooooo, shoppers! Don't forget to head on over to the beer and wine department and sample the wide variety of beverages we are offering!".  And I thought my eyes were bugging out before, ha! We didn't need to be told twice, nor did we need to ask where the department was. We just hopped right into the steady stream of giddy community members, right behind an older couple dressed in their finest for a night out in Hy-Vee, moving toward the opposite end of the store and the dozens of delectable 21+ treats awaiting us. And that's when the real fun started! We left the store that evening feeling very, very good.

Much time has passed since this tasty evening, but a tribute was in order. You ask, what are some of the most memorable parts of the trip so far? A few hours in a Hyvee Paradise definitely make the list. So, thank you, Hy-Vee. Cheers, you made our night!

-Carolyn