Welcome to Thursday Doors! This is a weekly challenge for people who love doors and architecture to come together to admire and share their favorite door photos, drawings, or other images or stories from around the world. If you’d like to join us, simply create your own Thursday Doors post each (or any) week and then share a link to your post in the comments below, anytime between 12:01 am Thursday morning and Saturday noon (North American eastern time). If you like, you can add our badge to your post.

in primo piano – photos

As the title suggests, today I am sharing doors and door-like things from Reiman Gardens in Ames, Iowa. In 2023, Reiman Gardens was named one of the Top 10 gardens in North America worth traveling for. As if you’d need another reason to visit Iowa.

When my brother and I visited the gardens in June, there was a display of small houses spread around the gardens. These were in various states of completion, but all have the indicaiton of a door.

I hope you will enjoy the gallery, and I hope you will take a few minutes to visit some of the other doors that have been shared for this challenge.

I also hope you won’t mind a few words along the lines of self promotion. My latest novel, Bridge to Nowhere, was released earlier this week. You can find both paperback and Kindle copies available on Amazon.

Bridge to Nowhere now available

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150 responses to “Reiman Gardens”

  1. Definitely my type of excursion. My fave are the round houses: the first one, the Hobbit house and the round door of a blue house. This made me smile.

    Liked by 3 people

    1. Thanks Teresa. It was hot walking around, but these were fun to see.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Thanks for sharing, love them.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Gosh Dan! Those houses are so cute 💜

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’m glad you like them, Willow. I think I could move into a few of them.

      Like

  3. If you didn’t mention Reiman Garden, I thought you went to the Hobbit town in New Zealand with so many Hobbit houses. They’re so cute. Thank you for these cute doors this week, Dan.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I’m glad you like them Miriam. I do think they’re adorable, and seeing them tucked away as we walked the gardens was a series of nice surprises.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. They are adorable, Dan.

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Very special houses!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks. I’m glad you like them.

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Fabulous little houses. Looks like a great place to wander about
    I found a door just like the doors from Boonah in last weeks post. Must have been a church at some stage I guess

    Old church door

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It was a very place to wander, and finding these little houses tucked away was extra special.

      I liked that door you found.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. Not as cute as your doors but here is my entry for this week.
    https://wanderingteresa.com/doors-art-in-rue-des-deux-boules/

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I love those 3D bits, Teresa. All the photos are great, but those really made me smile.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Glad you liked it Dan. I really had to be very observant when I travel,I don’t want to miss anything.

        Liked by 2 people

  7. […] am linking this to Dan’s Thursday Doors Challenge and for Natalie’s Photographing Public Art Challenge – […]

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  8. […] hosts Thursday Doors every…well, you know. You can find this week’s post by clicking on the highlighted link. Feel […]

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  9. […] I know there is several doors to be found in these areas, though not easily seen. Dan’s Thursday Doors […]

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  10. […] Posted for Dan’s Thursday Doors […]

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  11. I love these, Dan. My kind of day out!

    Here is mine:

    Liked by 2 people

    1. It was a fun day in the gardens, Sofia. Seeing these little guys pop out always made me smile.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Hi Dan, First, congratulations on your new book. It’s an amazing achievement. I’m not sure how you’ll manage to churn out books so quickly. Kudos to you. Now to the doors you’ve shared. They are adorable and enough reason to visit the garden, I think.
    And here’s my post for the week https://smithavpennings.com/2024/07/18/thankful-thursday-180724-thursday-doors-flowers-and-lots-more/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Smitha. “Quickly” is not how it seems. I spent over three years writing that series, but I published them in quick succession. I’ve been working on this one for 11 months. Being retired makes it easy. I write every morning.

      These little doors all made me smile. I’m glad you enjoyed them.

      Your doors are beautiful, but your reasons for gratitude are amazing. Thanks for sharing this with us.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. First, Congratulations Dan for the publication of Bridge to Nowhere, an incredible to feat to write a book and several in your case. Big kudos!! I don’t know how you find the time to write many books. Awesome.

    Gosh gee so cutw and well done minatures. I love the first round one and the Hobbit house…magical. The chairs are a perfect place of relaxation too. The day looked like the weather was bright and sunny. When you said gardens at the beginning, I was expecting trees and flowers, but your photos have overdelivered with these added treats of construction. I can’t figure out how the paper house it appears quite sturdy…for paper. I enjoyed the presentation. Thank you. I hope the weather is good there.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Suzette. I start each day writing (and I get up very early). I enjoy it, and it seems to take forever to get a book ready to release.

      I was surprised to find these little houses throughout the gardens. I have some of those expected photos as well, but these were special. Given the nasty storms they have in Iowa, I don’t know how that paper house has survived.

      Thanks for the visit, the comment and for sharing your doors and lovely poetry. I hope you have a great rest of the week.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Well done getting up early to write, Dan. And a book is no easy task. It is I think a
        labor of love, indeed.
        You are welcome. And thanks Dan for hosting ThursdayDoors. Much appreciated. Blessings to you!

        Like

  14. HI Dan, congratulations on your new book. You are a writing machine. These little houses are lovely. Such a lot of variety.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Robbie. Writing is my job, now. I still get up at the same time as I used to for work. It’s a wonderful time to write.

      The little houses were such fun to find in the gardens. I’m glad you like them.

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  15. Very cute houses, Dan! One can almost picture Frodo or Bilbo Baggins in the Hobbit house. :-)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Dave. The Hobbit house and the other round houses and doors all made me smile.

      Liked by 1 person

  16. […] For more doors, please visit Dan’s No Facilities site.. Here you will find the Thursday Doors weekly challenge. you will find doors and architecture from all over the world. https://nofacilities.com/2024/07/18/reiman-gardens/ […]

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  17. Delightful loved the round doors and features, here is mine for today.. https://dymoonblog.com/2024/07/18/thursday-18/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks!

      Your doors brought back many memories.

      Like

  18. ❤️❤️❤️

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  19. Interesting ones, all of them. I think I don’t mind taking the hobbit house for tonight.

    Here’re my doors: https://anotherglobaleater.wordpress.com/2024/07/18/winner-takes-it-all/

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was so hot the day we visited, I wanted to crawl in an lay down for a while.

      Loved the “small” mosque you shared.

      Liked by 1 person

  20. […] 18,000 square meters and minarets which are 77 meters tall. It was a long walk to the entrance doors (above, at three different distances). The lobby was plush, and the area under the main dome, […]

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  21. Best of luck on the release of your latest novel, Dan.
    These little houses are so cute. I’d like one in my garden! I particularly like the small round one.

    Here’s my door today!

    Oifig An Phoist – #ThursdayDoors

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Gloria. I think if I built the little round house in our yard, my wife would move into it.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Aw, I’m sure the novelty would wear off after a while, though! 😄

        Liked by 1 person

  22. You know I’m partial to circles, so both the round house and the round door caught my attention right away. But it’s a great assortment of different looks. (K)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The round doors are so welcoming. Finding these made for a fun visit.

      Great door (and occupant) today.

      Liked by 1 person

  23. How charming!

    Liked by 1 person

  24. […] You can see lots of doors by visiting Dan’s blog, No Facilities. […]

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  25. Murphy's Law Avatar
    Murphy’s Law

    LOVE this tour. I have dibs moving in the first house! I love the round door on the blue house, might use this house for my vacation home! What a great addition to this park. All these houses are so imaginative and whimsical. What a fun tour.

    Ginger 🦋

    Liked by 2 people

    1. We might have to have a little discussion over who gets which one of these houses, Ginger. Are they not the cutes things ever?!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Murphy's Law Avatar
        Murphy’s Law

        Lois, these are definitely the cutest houses I’ve ever seen. We’ll share them. Oh! the fun we will have….not to mention our back ache ’cause we can’t stand up straight! You bring the chocolate and I’ll bring my Blue Emu!

        Ginger 🦋

        Liked by 1 person

        1. haha! I forgot about the not standing up straight part, Ginger! Chocolates and Blue Emu–we’re in!

          Like

    2. I would like to have a couple of these in our back yard (but I’m afraid I’d lose my wife). Looks like you’re going to have to arm wrestle, Lois.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Murphy's Law Avatar
        Murphy’s Law

        Dan, I wouldn’t want you to lose the Editor! When you start building them in your back yard, build three! Lois and I will gladly visit the Editor there. This way, you keep the Editor and gain two more side kicks. But PLEASE, don’t build these with No Facilities! 🤗

        Ginger 🦋

        Liked by 1 person

  26. These are all so cute! I am in love with the blue house with the round door and the small round house in your first photo. These are wonderful.

    We have a campground in the county north of us that has glamping sites that look like those teepees. Everyone of these little houses are adorable.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Looks like I might have to separate you and Ginger, as you try for that first one. They are cute.

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Those were all such neat and interesting houses!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you like them, Kim.

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Aren’t they adorable?

      Liked by 1 person

  28. The hobbit house! So adorable!!

    This week my submission takes us to Victoria’s historic Chinatown:

    Thursday Doors – Fan Tan Alley

    Liked by 1 person

    1. These houses all made me smile.

      Nice red door from you today!

      Liked by 1 person

  29. I love all the round doors!!! So whimsical…

    mine is here

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The round doors are so cute. I don’t know why, but I want one.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Cinquain …for Dan

        oh why

        am i thinking

        you can’t fit a square peg

        into a round hole now it seems

        you can

        Congratulations on your new book !

        Liked by 1 person

  30. Love the garden in Ames Iowa, Dan. Those door are terrific.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad, John. It’s a great place to spend an afternoon.

      Liked by 1 person

  31. I never had a reason to travel to Iowa but seeing these gardens may put Ames on my list. Fun doors today, Dan!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was a very nice way to spend an afternoon, Denise. The houses were all fun to see.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I did go the Garden’s website and read a bit more. I’d like to see for myself but don’t know if I can swing this before the exhibit closes. Glad you shared it with us today.

        Liked by 1 person

  32. […] are more doors waiting for you over at Dan’s so hop on this link to see what other door lovers are sharing today. Until next […]

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  33. What a fun exhibit! I had to click over the Reiman Gardens website to find out more.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It was fun to wander around the gardens, Liz. They always have so much going on.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. My husband and I always enjoy touring gardens (that we don’t have to weed).

        Liked by 1 person

  34. A lovely post and great take on doors. The small round house is my favourite.

    A rather hurried final instalment of doors from Assisi from me this week: https://scooj.org/2024/07/18/thursday-doors-18-july-2024-assisi-umbria-italy/#Assisi#Umbria#Italy

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’d like to put that round house in our back yard.

      Great doors today, They spoke well for themselves.

      Liked by 1 person

  35. Anne Fraser @theplatinumline.blog Avatar
    Anne Fraser @theplatinumline.blog

    Too far away for me to visit but it looks fun. Here is mine for this week.https://southwestrambler.com/cary-grant-from-bristol-childhood-to-hollywood-stardom

    Liked by 2 people

    1. A lovely piece about Cary Grant. I have posted the stencil of Cary Grant on Gloucester Road some time ago, worth seeking out if you haven’t seen it. Also posted the Hippodrome doors for Thursday Doors. Great to see more Bristol representation here.

      Liked by 2 people

    2. They were fun little houses. I really enjoyed your post!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Anita. Your gardens are also beautiful.

      Liked by 1 person

  36. Dan, this is delightful! I want that round house. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Looks like you have to get in line, Jennie. A lot of people want that one 😊 These are all delightful, though.

      Liked by 1 person

  37. How cute! I want to move in.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I know. I was thinking I could squeeze one in our back yard.

      Liked by 1 person

  38. Ah! So they’re playhouses. What a fun idea. Thanks for the whimsical tour, Dan. Hugs.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed this, Teagan. I still want one for the yard.

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  39. That’s so charming! I also love what’s written in your featured photo 🙂. My entry here:

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Everything about the gardens says they live up to that wish. It was fun walking around, especially when one of these little houses would pop up.

      Your door could cause quite a reaction if you were walking the wrong way

      Liked by 1 person

  40. Gwen M. Plano Avatar
    Gwen M. Plano

    What a fun excursion, Dan! I’d love to visit the Reiman Gardens after seeing your photos and reading of your experience. Thank you for sharing it with us.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you enjoyed it, Gwen. I really enjoyed wandering around. The little houses were so fun.

      Like

  41. Lots of whimsical doors today, Dan, or at least whimsical buildings with doors. I like the one that looks like a hobbit house. With the word “garden” in your title, I wasn’t sure if I was going to see a cemetery or actual gardens. Lol.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you liked these, Janet. It was so much fun finding them around the gardens. I have featured cemetery doors here before. Sorry for the confusion.

      Liked by 1 person

  42. […] I found this door at a semi-annual antique fair in Warrenton, Texas several years ago stacked near another group of doors adorned with colorful windows. See more at https://nofacilities.com/2024/07/18/reiman-gardens/ […]

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  43. I love all the different shapes! But of course I am most partial to the Hobbit doors. I am a Middle Earth kind of girl.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m glad you liked these, Pam. I’ll check to see when Bilbo’s lease is up.

      Liked by 1 person

  44. Some delightfully whimsical doors here I do lovethe round house but they all have a charm of their own :)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I think I could live in any of these, at least for a while. Maybe longer in that round house.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. What fun that woud be :)

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  45. How fun! My favorites of the houses in the garden were the round house and the hobbit house.

    Best of luck with the book sales, Dan!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Deborah. I love the round house and the round doors. These were such fun to see.

      Liked by 1 person

  46. What a fun garden to wander around in. They must have arranged to have that display of tiny houses – WITH DOORS! – just for you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. The timing coincided nicely with my trip to Iowa, Janis. It was fun to walk through the garden and see these houses on display.

      Like

  47. […] For Dan’s Thursday Doors this week, I’m sharing some pictures from my Oslo Fjord Cruise. You are getting a break from traditional Norwegian buildings because I thought these pictures better matched the theme of my poem above. You can join in Thursday Doors here: https://nofacilities.com/2024/07/18/reiman-gardens/ […]

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    1. Thanks for including us in your challenge post, Robbie. Interesting, and a little sad.

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      1. The poem is meant to be poignant. The Oslo fjord cruise was awesome.

        Liked by 1 person

  48. Hi Dan – good heavens above … lots of comments already … but I have to say what a great idea from Reiman Gardens – and so pleased you’ve posted … love the two hobbit houses!! Also the library – cheers Hilary

    Liked by 1 person

    1. PS – love their motto … “May all who visit these gardens be blessed with lives filled with love, light and laughter.” Essentials for of us civilised people wishing these blessings for others – cheers Hilary

      Liked by 1 person

      1. I used that image before, but I agree, it’s a very good wish for us all.

        Liked by 1 person

    2. I’m glad you liked this little tour, Hillary. The houses were fun to see.

      Liked by 1 person

  49. These are amazing Dan! Love the little hobbit houses and the teepee. Looks like great weather you had also. No doors from me this week as I visit my family in Ireland 🤗

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Wayne. I enjoyed walking through the gardens and finding these.

      Liked by 1 person

  50. That teepee reminds me of some of the three sided open front structures we camped…

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It might not work well in a storm, but it would have been a great place to escape the sun the day we toured the gardens.

      Liked by 1 person

  51. I do like those little houses, the first round one is my favourite.

    LinsArt: Friday Catch Up – 19th July 2024 (linsartyblobs.blogspot.com)

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’d love to have that round house in the yard.

      Great post from you today!

      Liked by 1 person

  52. If these don’t bring out the kid in a body, nothing will. What wonderful little places! I had never heard of these gardens, and so I thank you for more of my continuing education!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. They are part of Iowa State University. They are always interesting.

      Liked by 1 person

  53. These are fascinating, Dan. I especially like the first one. It looks like you had a beautiful day to enjoy the gardens….wonderful green therapy! Well, here’s my post for this week, another one from Rome. https://brendasrandomthoughts.wordpress.com/2024/07/20/thursday-doors-vatican-museums-inside-vatican-city-rome/
    Happy weekend to you!!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. PS…congratulations on your new book. I’ll check it out for sure.

      Liked by 1 person

    2. We did have a nice day to tour the gardens, Brenda. It was hot, though. I thought about cooling off in some of these little houses, especially the ones tucked in the shade.

      Magnificent doors from Rome today – thanks.

      Like

  54. Great doors.

    You know, I don’t purposely visit doors posts, but many bloggers I follow do door posts.

    I always enjoy what they come up with. Your doors challenge is famous in blogville.

    Dan, congratulations on your new book! You have become a prolific writer.

    Cheers!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks Resa. I was drawn into the doors challenge from the point that Norm Frampton started it. I was happy to continue the challenge from my place. Doors and architecture fascinate me.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Modern architecture seems like technical prowess. Old architecture combines prowess with art.
        Doors, even in a modern building, have the potential for art.
        I like this comments.

        Liked by 1 person

        1. The amazing thing about old architecture is how they were able to figure out the necessary structure, and pass that knowledge along, often across generations of builders and artisans. On top of all that, they took the time to make it look good.

          Liked by 1 person

          1. Yes! Modern design can lack the art esthetic.

            Liked by 1 person

  55. My Thursday wasn’t the same without a visit here … so Saturday is a must. Looks like a very unique place … so thumbs up. Have a good weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks for stopping by, Frank. The gardens are lovely.

      Liked by 1 person

  56. […] not to find any fault in it. That’s what mom’s do. Hope you will be gracious and take time to visit Dan @NoFacilities for more wonderful Thursday Doors entries. Wonderful stuff over […]

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  57. Congrats on the new book! Good to see you having such great success as an author & hope it continues! Love the tiny houses! Very creative minds at work.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks! I enjoy writing, and it feels good to move this one into the market.

      I really admire the creativity behind these small houses. I think I could live in a few of them.

      Liked by 1 person

  58. Thanks for sharing Dan! I had no idea Ames had anything like this….so cool!! That said, it has been 50 years since living in Iowa!! Times flies by! Great post…thanks for sharing!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I am always amazed at the number of attractions in and around Ames, Kirt. Of course, it helps that I consider a brewery to be an attraction.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Love it…..weirdly enough Ames is where we spent our honeymoon. We were still in college and wanted to get away from Cedar Rapids, but money was tight for us, so we found a cool place in Ames!! Well….to us it was cool…couldn’t even remember where it was in Ames!!

        Liked by 1 person

        1. That’s pretty cool, Kirt.

          Liked by 1 person

  59. Funny, I wrote a comment on this post, but I came back on this and it was missing. Well, I will re-write it. Those images are lovely and those hobbit houses reminded me of the Lord of the Rings.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’m sorry, Sharukh. I hope your comment didn’t end up in the spam bucket. I need to check there more often. Thanks for the return visit.

      Liked by 1 person

  60. […] My contribution to this week’s Thursday Door photo Challenge https://nofacilities.com/2024/08/8/reiman-gardens/ […]

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