Pikes Peak State Park

Pikes Peak is a pretty good sized park. It has many Indian Burial Mounds and very tall trees. There was one balcony where you could see Wisconsin, but you weren't in Wisconsin. There were many different kinds of trees and bushes-just BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!


Pikes Peak State Park DNR Link

Pikes Peak State Park WIKI Link

Looking at Wisconsin

Looking at Wisconsin

Looking at Wisconsin

Mocha licking a puddle for no reason :)

Fire Red Sumac Bushes

Sumac Bushes

Ladybug on Fern

View of Forest

Indian Burial Mounds

Kiersten (my sister) playing in the leaves

Kiersten, throwing leaves in the air?!

Beautiful, tall trees

Me, standing by one of the tall trees, with Indian Mound behind

View of the Mississippi River

My mom, Mocha, and I

Little waterfall

Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park

 Banner Lakes is Iowa's newest park. It was originally mined for coal in the early 1930's. Many locals remember the area as "Banner Pits." Some activities include picnicking, biking, mountain biking, boating, and fishing.

Banner Lakes at Summerset State Park DNR Link

Goose on Banner Lake

Geese on Banner Lake

Banner Lake

Banner Lake

Geese, geese, GEESE!!!!

Banner Lake

Beaver-eaten tree

More Geese!

Sign at front of park

Big Creek State Park pics

I forgot to put pictures on about Big Creek, so here they are!!!

My sister by Big Creek

Rocks by the water

Mocha, sniffing out a hole

Close up snapshot of one of many plants at the park

Big Creek State Park

I have been to Big Creek many times, since I live very close by. There is a huge playstructure, lots of trails you can hike on, and of course, a big creek. It is located in Polk County, near Polk City. You can do many things there including: hiking, biking, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, fishing, boating, swimming, camping, and hunting.

Big Creek State Park DNR Link

Eagle Cam

My family and I have been watching an eagle family on the Internet. The camera is set up in Decorah, Iowa in a tree about 80 feet high. The nest is about 6 feet across, 4 feet deep, and weighs nearly 1000 lbs.

Here is the link. Enjoy!!!
http://www.ustream.tv/decoraheagles

Lake Ahquabi State Park

Lake Ahquabi is located in Warren county near Indianola. You can camp, hike, snow-mobile, cross country ski, and much more!! There is a 115-acre man-made lake that you can swim, boat, and fish in. "Ahquabi" is a Sauk and Fox word meaning "resting place", that is fitting to the park. The park was recommended for a state park site by "Ding" Darling, famous Iowan cartoonist and conservationalist.

These are some interesting links on Lake Ahquabi:
 Lake Ahquabi DNR Link

Lake Ahquabi WIKI Link

 These are the pictures we took from our visit to Lake Ahquabi.

Lake Ahquabi Entrance

Lake Ahquabi Lodge

Squirrel

 Squirrel on tree stump

 Burning Underbrush to refresh mother nature

Lake Ahquabi

Nature Center at Ahquabi

Me by the barb wire buffalo

Backbone State Park

I went to Backbone State Park last summer. It had been flooded, so we couldn't drive through some of it. What we DID see, was beautiful: LOTS of trees, hiking and biking trails, big rocks, and a LOT more. You can boat, fish, and swim, plus, there's a playground. Lots to do!!!!
 These are some links to websites on Backbone State Park: 

Backbone State Park DNR Link 

Backbone State Park WIKI Link 

 These are the pictures we took during our visit

Beautiful Scenery

Beautiful Scenery

My sister and I

White-Tailed Deer with tail up

Did You Know. . .

All of the states in the Midwest region of the U.S. have a system of state parks, but Michigan has the most state parks at 97!!!!

Honey Creek State Park

In mid-January, I went to Honey Creek. They were many trails that led to Rathbun Lake. There were many trees, sticks, and lots of rocks. We spent a lot of time on the sand and found a couple fossils in the rocks. Honey Creek Resort was pretty nice, too. There was a nice restaurant, a big water park, and even Dip 'n Dots vending machines!!! I had a lot of fun at Honey Creek and hope to come again.

Honey Creek State Park DNR Link 

Honey Creek Resort Link 

Me, standing by Lake Rathbun

Rathbun Lake

My sister and I by Rathbun

My mom and sister by the Lake

Can u find the hidden gobblers????

White Tailed Deer

Lake Rathbun

Rathbun Lake

Buck (male) Deer track

Turkey track

Raccoon track