Pella, Iowa is known for two things … its world-famous windows and its annual tulip festival.  What’s inconceivable to me is that I’ve never visited Pella … despite its close proximity to my hometown of Des Moines, Iowa.

So after a little coaxing from my parents (“you’re going with us whether you like it or not!”), I decided to go see what all the fuss was about.  Pella looks like a mini-Holland … complete with windmills, canals and people with weird accents.  And it’s a definite tourist attraction for people who enjoy trying on clogs and eating their weight in pastries.

The festival is typically held the first week in May when the tulips are at their peak of color.  One problem … this year’s unseasonable warm spell means the tulips are blossoming exactly one month early.  By the time the actual festival rolls around … the tulip petals will be kaput.  I’m thinking they should change their slogan to the “2012 Pella Stem Festival”.

Like most any hearty Midwest town, everyone in Pella is friendly to a fault and/or wearing overalls.  But they can easily spot a tourist flush with cash.  That’s why everything in Pella is “homemade”.  In the span of thirty minutes, I enjoyed homemade brats on a homemade bun with homemade kraut and mustard.  And, for dessert — natch! — a homemade pecan pie.

There’s a well-known bakery, Jaarsma Bakery — smack in the middle of the town square that sells every sort of pastry, confection and sweet treat known to man.  They specialize in Dutch letters … a crunchy S-shaped pastry filled with gooey almond goodness.  Everywhere you look you’ll see folks grazing on ‘em.  It’s a right of passage for tourists.

So if you want a little getaway day trip … about 45 minutes outside of Des Moines … I’d highly suggest Pella.  City of intrigue.  Town of mystery.  And clogs.