Hiking in Ledges State Park
The week started off with a morning hike in Ledges State Park about a half hour drive from West Des Moines. The kids enjoyed the trails and playing in the river. Then on Tuesday we drove up to Clear Lake to visit our friend Scott and hang out as his place on the lake. They have had this place on the lake for over 50 years and they have every type of water craft you can imagine, including jet skis which we used to explore the lake.
Riding the jet ski on Clear Lake
They also had stand up paddle boards which the kids used to go the whole way across the lake. The trouble was there was an offshore wind and they couldn’t make it back. Not to worry, Scott’s sister got the boat out and we went and rescued them and Marcy and I paddled back. We also explored the lake on Scott’s boat, it is a beautiful 50 year old wooden boat that Scott has restored.
Jetting around Clear Lake in Scott’s old (but beautifully restored) wooden cruiser
On Friday, it was Baba and Grandpa’s 50th wedding anniversary. We had a low-key celebration that involved dinner and drinks at home along with multiple desserts.
Lon and Connie’s 50th wedding anniversary
On Independence Day Nathan and I played golf and when we came home the kids had a surprise in store for us. They had filled dozens of water balloons and we were attacked as soon as we got home. It was such a hot day we didn’t mind at all. As night fell we had our own mini fireworks display. The kids all lit sparklers including some fancy ones that shined in multiple colors.
Lighting sparklers on July 4
And, of course, there were “snakes” as we have been doing each year.
Watching the “snakes” emerge on July 4
Overall Olive did great on the trip. She became reasonably comfortable there but she was always excited whenever we went swimming. If we did laps Olive would greet us at the end of each lap by barking loudly. She also fell in the pool a couple of times and seemed to be afraid of getting in. So, yesterday Marcy took her in the pool and calmly let her get used to the water. When she gently released her Olive swam straight for the steps, she wanted to get out.
Marcy giving Olive a quiet introduction to the pool
Today, we woke up in West Des Moines and did the long trip home. It was just over 12 hours door to door, a bit longer than usual because of bad traffic and a long stop in Lincoln for lunch. Everyone was exhausted after a fun-filled two weeks.