From the Amana Woolen Mill leads a short path to an old train station. Its bright orange paint made it stand out. I really loved all of that thistle that the station was overgrown with. They were blooming and looked great. There is something about the thistle plant in bloom. They're very pretty, yet, they're prickly and they're weeds. An interesting combination, like a beauty and a beast all in one. But then again, who gets to decide what's weeds? A rose has thorns too.

The history of Amana Colonies begins in the eighteenth century in Germany. A community left there and went to America to seek religious freedom. They initially settled near Buffalo, NY but when more land was needed they looked to Iowa where land was available and prices reasonable. They arrived in Iowa in 1855 and chose Amana ("remain true") for the name of their six new villages: Amana, East Amana, West Amana, South Amana, High Amana, and Middle Amana.
More about the history of Amana Colonies.