Iowa State Fair '18: Day One's Disappointments

Our first day at the Iowa State Fair was a bit of a downer. It was brutally hot, and Charlotte was in the worst mood. We tried to have fun, but nothing really clicked.

We started the morning off with chicken and waffles on a stick. It was okay.

The same gentleman who makes poffertjes at the Downtown Farmers' Market for Breakfast Delights was working at the Wooden Shoe. Char knew what she wanted for breakfast. These are always good.

The next food stop was for cheese curds. These are a family favorite, but none of us enjoyed them this time. That was a huge surprise. The breading on the curds was so salty that Charlotte ate one bite and was done. Daphne and I ate the rest, but neither one of us fought for the last bite.

We thought we had a good seat for the Red Trouser show, but a large couple sat right in front of Charlotte. She and another girl sitting next to her couldn't see a thing. We tried putting Char on Daphne's lap, but that wasn't much help. Luckily, they opened up seating on the ground in front of the stands, and Char was able to enjoy the show. The performers are very good.

Speaking of red, this year they handed out red tinted glasses when you visit Little Hands on the Farm.

Why red glasses?

They allow you to see the hidden messages on the signs.

Speaking of pigs, I had a pork chop on a stick. This time I drew the short straw. My pork chop was so small that I didn't even bother taking a picture of it.

It was a very hot day, and an ice cold pickle from Pirtley's can really cool you off. Char refuses to eat pickles, so she missed out.

While we were there, we pressed a penny in their elongation machine. 

These pennies make great souvenirs. They don't cost much, they're small, and Char has fun turning the crank. She has a small collection.

Fun fact: Canada stopped making pennies in 2012, so you have to press a nickle there, instead.

Don't believe that smile. It was gone as soon at the camera flashed. The "Deviled" sign would have been more appropriate.

This year the vendors are selling these inflatable... um, chairs, I guess. Charlotte was sure we'd buy her one - we didn't. Char refused to agree that our cat Earl would bite a hole in the fabric in about three seconds. 

Last year I watched a cook slap a ball of beef on the griddle and press it into a patty with his spatula. That burger was the best thing I ate. This year, at the same food stand, I watched the gal making my burger pull a frozen patty out of a cardboard box, and my heart sank. 

We did the big maze, but it was so hot between the walls I almost got sick.

Cotton candy lifted Char's spirits for a bit, but as soon as it was gone, she asked to go home for the twentieth time.

We thought Charlotte would like the fried bread with apple butter, but she wouldn't take a bite. Daphne and I liked it, though.

We got to the parking garage around 5:30, and when I opened the sliding door on our car Char said, "We finally get to go home!"

It wasn't the Fair's fault, but for the first time we didn't really enjoy ourselves. I asked Daphne while driving home, "Have we outgrown the fair?" She only shrugged.