Well, it was a long day in Clear Lake and it was getting late (and dark). Not really checking my map, I sort of got a bit lost in the overnight town of Mason City. I came across this place by accident however:
It’s called the “Rancho Deluxe Z Garden”
Created by Max Weaver, a former city council member, it appears to be a combination of Chicago’s old Bug House Square, Fort Collins’ Swetville Zoo, and Berkeley’s People’s Park. “In this garden, everyone is welcome” Max would say and on this day a group of Ragbrai campers were using it for their overnight stay.
Jammin’ at the garden?
I was offered a chance to stop by later to jam with some of the Z Garden guests but by the time I found our camp I decided not to try my luck in getting back to the garden. It would have been fun, but I would have paid for it the next morning. One thing I didn’t ask them at the garden: Where were the bathrooms?