It was time for a road trip!

We headed to Iowa for a week. The weather was warm, very warm, rather cool, rainy, sunny, cloudy - we had it all! 

We stopped at the American Gothic barn near Mt Vernon, Iowa.

We stayed at an Airbnb in Iowa City in the area of Rocky Shores Drive and River Street by the Iowa River. It was a neat neighborhood and one day while walking, we found the Little Kinnick House. There are many articles about the house and the locals all have stories to tell. It is designed just like the University of Iowa Kinnick Stadium.

We spent some time with friends Jim and Nancy in Iowa City and enjoyed a delicious meal at their home. It was wonderful to have time to sit, visit, and play games. They introduced us to pizza at Wig and Pen's and breakfast at The Encounter. We also enjoy the farmer's market and lunch at Heirloom. Ray and I spent some time shopping, quite a bit of time at quilt shops (another post), and took a few walks. We were staying right by the riverwalk which was wonderful. One day we visited the Amana Colonies and one day we visited Kalona, Iowa.

On June 13, our 53rd wedding anniversary, we left our 'home' in Iowa City, and moved to Cedar Rapids. On the way, we visited the University of Iowa Macbride Nature Recreation Area. There was a bird blind and Ray really wanted to take pictures of the birds. However, the birds didn't come so we went on to the Raptor Project.

"The mission of the Iowa Raptor Project is to connect students and the community to the conservation of birds of prey and their natural habitats through research and education opportunities ... We achieve our goal to preserve raptor populations and habitats through educational experiences that awaken awareness, nurture appreciation and inspire action, as well as through field research on raptor nesting habitats, migration routes, and wintering grounds...The Iowa Raptor Project currently displays 17 unreleasable birds of prey historically found in Iowa. The Iowa Raptor Project is open to the public, and we welcome visitors!" 

It was hard to get good pictures because of the double wires on the cages - I'm sure those double wires have saved many fingers!

There were hawks and beautiful owls.

There were a few people at the center. Most had children with them. I asked some of the kids, what raptor was the favorite. Every one of them said the bald eagle. I liked him too.

I also liked the peregrine falcon. 

We decided we should do a little celebrating, so we stopped at Dan and Debbies Creamery in Ely, Iowa. The homemade ice cream was fantastic! I thought I took pictures but I guess not.

We had an Airbnb in Cedar Rapids which was delightful. That first evening we spent with Ray's brother Ron, and his very special friend Pam, at the Cedar Rapids Kernals vs South Bend Cubs baseball game. We had front row seats - a first for all of us! It was a gorgeous, fun evening! Ray is holding Cracker Jacks which we just discovered were called Cracker Jills!

One of the Cubs coaches had some really cool socks.

Ray and I spent some time at Noelridge Park.

The flowers were just being planted.

We were able to visit the greenhouse at the park.

We loved the desert part,

the bananas, 

and the beautiful orchids.

Ray's camera battery died and his backup wasn't with us so he resorted to his cell phone camera!

We were able to do some walking at Lindale Mall on a very warm day. We spent our last evening with a wonderful dinner at Pam's home and enjoyed a gorgeous evening sitting by the pool.

We are now home and unpacked. Now we just have to adjust to laundry, cooking a little more healthy, giving up on the breakfast pastries that we loved, and getting back to normal. We'll leave all of that for tomorrow...