So many people we meet who have travelled extensively, admit
they have driven through Iowa but never stopped. Usually, the reason is that
they think there is nothing worth stopping for. I have to admit, as an Iowa
Native I struggle at times to be a good ambassador, for the virtues of visiting
my home state.
Last weekend I was reminded of how incredibly diverse Iowa
is. As we drove to Maquoketa Caves State Park from north central Iowa to Eastern Iowa, the landscape quickly
changed from rolling row crop land for as far as the eye can see to the terraced
farms in the river valleys. The fields roll and tumble in all directions,
punctuated by dense timber stands the grow along the rivers and creeks and give
a beautiful dimension to the horizon. The bright new green of corn and soybeans
emerging in the foreground of a line of dark tall Oaks, Shagbarks and Pines
native to the area. We hadn’t camped in that part of the state since we started
our full-time lifestyle in 2016 and I had forgotten how beautiful, and un-Iowa
like the area is.
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| Farmstead near Dyersville, Iowa |
Fifteen years ago or so, we spent several days there and
have always wanted to return with kids. The state park has a small but nice
campground. The main attraction are the 13 Caves that are situated along 7
challenging miles of trails built to give access to the entrances located at
all elevations along the bluffs in the dense timber in the Maquoketa River
Valley. It is something definitely worth stopping for when traveling through
the state.
Our daughter suggested the trip this past winter and we made
reservations in March. We got our sites next to each other and the 6 of us
spent 3 ½ perfect days hiking, camping and enjoying the time together. Watching Hunter and Isaac who are now 11 and 9 hike, explore the caves and take in
all the wonder of the area was nothing short of what I have dreamed it would be
all these years since we first visited there. We set out each morning and
returned in the afternoon, exhausted but excited to do more.
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| Side by side sites for the weekend |
Champ, of course trotted along at the kids pace like he was
their age, climbing on everything they wanted to. In and out of caves, big and
small. Scaling rocks not meant to be climbed, but beckoning them all to the top
for a picture. I hiked along at a more leisurely pace, forgoing the off trail
climbing. My foot injury last fall resulted in permanent damage so this was a
true test of where my limits are these days. I was happy to enjoy and keep up
with the help of some ice at the end of the day.
I watched birds from the campsite, delighting in a different
variety of birds than I get at the farm. Indigo Buntings, Orioles, Grossbeaks,
Cedar Waxwings and Woodpeckers were abundant. The best birding treat I have had
in some time was the Ruby Throated Hummingbird nesting in the Pinetree on the
edge of my daughter’s site. We watched through binoculars and I got a nice
photo with the help of a lot of zoom. I love sharing cool birding experiences,
with my non-birding kids.
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| Hummingbird sitting on her eggs |
We left on Sunday with one grandson who wanted to spend a
couple extra days with us and had a nice trip back home. Isaac and I hung out
on the couch talking and watching the country side the three hour drive home. It
was my first time riding mid-coach for any length of time, and I was amazed at
how comfortable and smooth it was. I may have to do it more often when I’m not
on driving duty.
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| Riding home after a long weekend |
I write tonight with a renewed sense of pride in my home
state. After a tough emotional winter that left me numb and unexcited about
most everything. Our weekend in Eastern Iowa was good medicine. It felt good to
feel excited about something again.
Until Next Time…
