Iowa has many wonderful attractions worth visiting

A trip to northeast Iowa in late July with family to take senior photos of our youngest nephew reminded me of the beauty of Iowa.

There are such breathtaking, picturesque scenes looking across the sun-draped valleys toward the Mississippi River.

Our trip include a stop at the Maquoketa Caves, but we didn’t stay, as it was busier than a New York City subway.

The next stop was the Hurstville Lime Kilns, a historical park near Maquoketa featuring old limestone kilns, picnic tables and a trail.

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The kilns and rock crusher made natural backdrops for photos.

There was lots of history at the old mill, and that made it a fun place to explore.

We then headed northwest outside of Dubuque to Balltown, where we enjoyed a late lunch at Breitbach’s Country Dining. The eatery claims to be the oldest restaurant in the state of Iowa. The food and atmosphere were good.

We then made our way to Pikes Peak State Park where we hiked a bit of the trails. We thought about making the journey to the Bridal Falls, but opted for another day after learning that there were 253 steps down to the falls and that many steps back uphill.

Our last stop was at Backbone State Park, Iowa’s first state park, dedicated in 1920 and located south of Strawberry Point. We drove through two low-water dams at the park, and after coming across a third low-water dam, where the water was really flowing, we turned around and left the park from another exit.

If you find yourself in that part of Iowa, the park is worth a visit. You can hike, climb rocks, boat, fish and even stay a night in one of the park’s cabins.

I’ve always wanted take time to travel around the state visiting different cities, towns, parks, museums, historical sites and more.

The idea is to have a travel blog or publish a calendar with my Iowa photos.

I started a list a couple years ago that I labeled “Iowa photo ideas.”

These are places that I would like to visit or make a return visit to and take photos.

This includes the Everly Brothers House and museum in Shenandoah in the southwest corner of the state. I’ve driven by, but it is usually too late to visit the museum.

Debbie and I travel to Clarinda in late October each year to sell our books at the Clarinda Craft Carnival. It is one of the best-operated craft events in the state.

On the way there, we drove by Villisca, home of the Ax Murder House. I’ve visited the home three times, but I have never toured it. A few years ago, Debbie and I met a couple of ladies at the craft carnival who grew up in Villisca in the 1950s and never knew about the Ax Murders of 1912.

After graduating high school, the sisters took summer jobs at a resort in Colorado. While introducing themselves and saying they were from Villisca, another summer intern mentioned the Ax Murders of 1912.

When they called home and asked their mom about the murders, she said the family never talked about it because some relatives of the deceased still lived in Villisca at the time.

One of the ladies said she went to a dance in the house in high school and saw the ax above the front door but didn’t think anything about it and never asked. Touring the Ax Murder house is on my bucket list.

Other stops in southwest Iowa include the Creston Phillips 66 station, Stranton, home of the coffee pot and coffee cup water towers, which now sit on the ground as tourist stops.

I would like to see the Albert, the world’s largest bull in Audubon. I would also enjoy visiting Denison, home of actress Donna Reed. Reed bequeathed her Academy Award to her hometown and it is on display at the W. A. McHenry Museum in Denison.

The Johnny Carson Birthplace is in Corning.

I’ve been to the Gothic House in Eldon, but have not been inside or visited the museum. Another stop on my list is the Museum of Traffic Control in Pella.

The covered bridges near Winterset, some of which Debbie and I have toured, and the John Wayne birth home, which we have not toured, are on my to-do list for a return trip.

I’d like to ride the dinner train in Boone with Debbie and visit the Kate Shelly bridge in Boone.

Other planned stops include the Shrine of the Grotto, the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, the Matchstick Marvels in nearby Gladbrook, the salt and pepper shaker museum in Traer and the Buffalo Bill Museum in LeClaire, home of the American Pickers.

A stop and tour of the Laura Ingalls Wilder home in Burr Oak, in far northeastern Iowa, is also on my list.

Debbie and I have visited the Blue Bunny Ice Cream museum in Le Mara in northwest Iowa, but would like to return. I think the museum and ice cream shop have a new home.

We’ve also been to the Surf Ballroom and Buddy Holly crash site but would love to return and tour the inside of the dance hall.

My Iowa journey wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Woolstock in Wright County to see Superman’s phone booth and memorial to George Reeves, who played Superman in the 1950s television series “Adventures of Superman.” Reeves was born in Woolstock and was considered by many to be the “original Superman.”

The memorial is an old pay phone booth with a mannequin dressed as Clark Kent starting the process of revealing himself as Superman.

The above mentioned are just a small portion of all that Iowa offers. There is so much to see and do in this beautiful state. I recommend taking a day trip with family and visiting one or two of Iowa’s attractions, museums and parks.

It’s a great way to connect with family and spend time together.

Have a great week, and always remember that “Good Things are Happening” every day.